Course Syllabus: Advanced Placement Economics
Instructor: Mrs. Nicole Daniel
Location: Room 231
Email: nicole.daniel@lcps.org
Dates: Aug. 2011 – June 2012
Class Web Page: loudounvision.net > HS - LCH - AP Economics DanielN
Course Description
AP Economics is divided into two courses and has two AP Exams: AP Microeconomics and AP
Macroeconomics. The purpose of the AP course in Microeconomics is “to give students a thorough understanding
of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers within the economic
system. It emphasizes the nature and functions of product markets, the study of factor markets, and the role of
government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.” AP Macroeconomics will teach “the
principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole, with emphasis on the study of national
income and price-level determination, economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies,
economic growth and international economics.”
AP Economics is a highly structured and very demanding course. A daily schedule of study is required to
meet the expectations of this course—typically 1-2 hours of preparation per class meeting. I intend to challenge
you in AP Economics, but I also intend to support you fully, and while the material is difficult, it is also enjoyable
and very applicable to the real world. If you work hard, you will be able to see and understand the interplay of
economic principles in almost every aspect of daily life.
Grading
Grading in this course is done on a total-points basis. This means that each test, quiz, homework
assignment, and in-class activity is given a certain number of points. The total points you earn determines your
overall grade in the course.
Tests are worth 100 points, while homework, reading quizzes, in-class quizzes, and in-class activities range
from 5 to 25 points. Major projects are worth 200-300 points.
Active Learning & Current Events
One big difference you will notice between an AP class and a typical high school class is that you are given
much more individual responsibility to learn the content of the class on your own. Because it is modeled on a
college class, you will be assigned a fairly heavy workload, and you will be expected to learn basic concepts and
understand the reading material before you come to class. We will use our class time to discuss, reinforce,
exemplify, and connect concepts we are learning. Thus, it becomes increasingly important for you to read, think,
and learn actively so that you can take advantage of class time to deepen and expand your understanding.
In order to help you become active learners, I would like you to focus your attention outside the classroom
in the following ways:
1. Reading Quizzes: After you finish each reading assignment, login to VISION and take the associated
Reading Quiz. Reading Quizzes must be submitted no later than 9:00am on the next day of class.
2. Current Events: Every two weeks, submit an analytical summary of an economics-related article or
news story. The summary should be a minimum of 3 paragraphs long and no more than one
handwritten page (front and back). Your current event summary should include the following:
a. Citation (5 pts)
b. Summary (15 pts): an overview of the article and what it discusses.
c. Indication and Explanation of the Handy Dandy Guide (15 pts): analyze how the events
described in the article illustrate one or more of the 6 Principles in the HDG.
d. Personal Reaction (15 pts): Do you support this action (why or why not)? How does this
relate to class? Predict how this situation might develop in the future.
Current Events are due on Fridays throughout the semester. Possible sources include newspapers, news
magazines, REPUTABLE internet sources (must include web address), journals, etc. Accuracy, spelling, grammar,
and neatness count. Remember: the consequences of choice lie in the future!
Required Text
McConnell, Campbell R., Stanley L. Brue, and Sean M. Flynn. (2009). Economics. 18th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
Irwin.
Course Outline
Microeconomics
First Quarter:
Unit 1. Basic Concepts
Unit 2. Product Markets
Unit 3. Theory of the Firm
Second Quarter:
Unit 4. Factor Markets
Unit 5. The Role of Government
Readings:
Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5
Chapters 6 and 7
Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11
Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15
Chapters 4, 16, 17
Macroeconomics
Third Quarter:
Unit 6. Measuring Economic Performance
Unit 7. National Income and Price Determination
Unit 8. Financial Sector
Unit 9. Inflation, Unemployment, and Stabilization Policies
Fourth Quarter:
Unit 10. International Trade
Unit 11. Growth and Productivity
 AP Exam Review, AP Exam, and Post-AP Exam Activities
Chapters 24, 26
Chapters 27, 28, 29
Chapters 31, 32, 33
Chapters 30, 35, 36
Chapters 37, 38
Chapter 25
Expectations

Come to class on time. We start when the bell rings, with you in your seat.

Remain alert and participate actively in class.

Be respectful to the school, to each other, and to me.

Bring your materials to class every day, including your textbook, a notebook, and a pen.

Late Work Policy: Late work is penalized 10%. After one week, you will receive half credit on any completed
late assignment; after two weeks, I will not accept late work. Work is considered late if it is not turned in at the
beginning of class on the day it is due. You will not do your homework during class, and if you turn it in at the
end of the day, it will be considered late.

Absentee Policy: it is your responsibility to make up any missed work. I keep a class binder with all handouts
and assignments for the unit, so be sure to check this binder, or the class VISION page, for missed work. Test
dates are listed in advance, so you are expected to take tests on test day even if you miss the previous class
period. Due dates for make-up work will be set on a case-by-case basis. Late work rules will apply to make-up
work if it is turned in after the set due date has passed.

Keep in touch. I am available to answer questions and provide guidance, via email or before or after school.

I encourage students to submit electronically essays and other work composed on the computer. If you choose
to do this, be sure to have saved a couple of back-up copies of your work. Computer problems are not an
acceptable excuse for submitting late work.
The AP Exam
Monday, May 17, 2012 at 8:00am (Macroeconomics) and 12:00pm (Microeconomics). That's our date and
time. We will be working toward this date all year. Having said that, I want to remind you that the exam is a means
to an end - not the end in itself. Our aim is to learn and experience the field of economics.
The exam consists of two parts:
 60 questions, multiple-choice format, 70 minutes, worth 66 2/3% of the score.
 3 free-response questions (2 short, 1 long), 50 minutes total, worth 33 1/3% of the score.
The score on the multiple choice section, scored by a machine, is weighted and combined with the score on
the essays, scored by a committee of trained readers. This composite score is then converted to an overall AP
score of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The cutoff point between scores varies from year to year, depending on the difficulty of the
exam. Most colleges award credit for Introductory Microeconomics or Macroeconomics to students who score a 3,
4, or 5 on the AP Exam.
All students are expected to take the AP exam. If you do not take at least one of the two exams, you will not
receive the weighted grade added to your overall GPA and you will not receive college credit.
See www.apcentral.collegeboard.com for eligibility requirements. Contact your guidance counselor for other
financial assistance options.
Here's a breakdown, by percentage, of the topics covered on the exams:
AP Microeconomics
 8-14% Basic Economic Concepts
 15-20% Supply and Demand
 5-10% Theory of Consumer Choice
 10-15% Production and Costs
 25-35% Firm Behavior and Market Structure
 10-18% Factor Markets
 12-18% Market Failure and the Role of Government
AP Macroeconomics
 8-12% Basic Economic Concepts
 12-16% Measurement of Economic Performance
 10-15% National Income and Price Determination
 15-20% Financial Sector
 20-30% Inflation, Unemployment, and Stabilization Policies
 5-10% Economic Growth and Productivity
 10-15% Open Economy: International Trade and Finance
The free-response questions (FRQs) evaluate students' mastery of economic principles and their ability to
solve economics problems by applying their knowledge. These questions often require graphical analysis and are
presented in several parts, which typically build from one part to the next.
We will work on FRQs in a variety of ways. The FRQs here depend entirely on accuracy and attention to
detail. Structure, style, grammar, and even spelling count for nothing. You'll love it!