AP Economics
Mr. Pink
Phone: 760-726-5611 x.71708
Email: mrpinkatvhs@yahoo.com
http://www.vusd.k12.ca.us/hs/vhs/Pink/Pages/default.aspx
Grades- VHS Parent Portal
The purpose of the AP course in Microeconomics is to provide a thorough understanding of the principles of
economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the
larger economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the
study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.
An AP course in Macroeconomics is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the principles of economics
that apply to an economic system as a whole. Such a course places particular emphasis on the study of national
income and price determination, and also develops your familiarity with economic performance measures, economic
growth, and international economics.
Each student taking the course is expected to take both the AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics examinations.
The exams corresponds to a one-semester introductory college course. The exams are approximately two hours long,
consisting of a 60-minute multiple –choice section, and a 50-minute three question free-response section. In each
exam the multiple choice section accounts for two-thirds of the student’s examination grade and the free-response
section for the remaining one-third.
Teacher Resources
McConnell, C. R., & Brue, S. L. (2005). Economics (16th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
*This resource will be used for student reading, notetaking, and answering questions. The test bank that
accompanies the book will be used for student chapter tests.
McConnell, C. R., & Brue, S. L. (2005). Study Guide to Accompany Economics (16th ed.). New York: McGrawHill/Irwin.
Morton, J. S., & Goodman, J. B. (2003). Advanced Placement Economics (3rd ed.). New York: National Council on
Economics Education.
* These resources will be used for student activities.
Assignments
All assignments should be ready to be turned in when class begins. Work turned in without a name will either
receive partial or no credit. Late work will not be accepted. Work missed due to an excused absence must be
turned in within one class period after returning. All work due on the day of your absence is due on the day of your
return. If you leave school early on the day the assignment is due, turn in the assignment to me, or put it in my
mailbox before you leave.
All work should conform to the following guidelines:
Work must be completed in blue or black ink or pencil.
When answering a question, write out the question before answering.
Work must be legible to receive a grade.
Reading Assignments: To be successful in this class, you will need to complete nightly reading assignments.
Students will be required to read, outline, answer questions and prepare notes and note cards on these readings.
Unless otherwise indicated, all readings will be from the McConnell Brue text. If a reading assignment is turned in
late, a partial score may be received. All reading assignments for a specific unit must be turned in prior to the
unit test. If not, the students will receive a zero for that test score.
Class Time: Our class time will be consist of: lecture/note-taking, discussion, various activities using the text
documents, and student presentations
Unit Tests: We will have unit exams about every two to three weeks. The format and types of questions are very
close to the AP Exam format. Each time students take a test, they practice the skills necessary to pass the AP Exam.
Exams are 40% of the overall grade in the class. Tests consist of multiple-choice questions and free-response
questions. Test make-ups will be more difficult than the original test. Tests must be made-up within a week of your
return at ELP, or after school.
Reading Quizzes: There will be open-note and pop quizzes throughout the year. There are no make-ups on
quizzes, as they are a part of the participation grade (10%). The lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of each
semester.
3-Ring 'otebook: Students must maintain their work in an organized manner to be successful in this class. Each
student is required to divide their notebook into the following sections
Reading and Lecture Notes
Writing Assignments
Reading Quizzes
Handouts/Projects
Grading Policy
Tests/Final Exam
Quizzes
40%
10%
Homework
In-class Assignments
40%
10%
Cheating
No make-up or credit is allowed if you are caught cheating. A zero will be recorded for the assignment, and a
referral will be written. Cheating includes copying another student’s notes or copying the internet outline.
Supplies
Please be prepared each class with a 2’ ring binder notebook, subject dividers, college ruled paper, pen, pencil,
highlighter, and textbook.
Interventions:
If you are in need of additional assistance, please come to ELP. I will also be available ½ hour before and after
school if needed. Parent/guardian conferences can also be held as an intervention if needed.
First Semester Course Plan (SUBJECT TO CHA'GE)
Unit 1: An Introduction to Economics (5 Weeks)
Chapters 1-5 in McConnell Brue
A. The Nature and Method of Economics
B. Scarcity, Production Possibilities Model, Economic Systems
C. Individual Markets: Demand and Supply
D. The Market System
E. The U.S. Economy: Private and Public Sectors
Lesson 1: Course Introduction: discussion of couse goals and requirements, social goals handout, turn in summer
assignment.
Lesson 2: Complete introduction: Ups and Downs of an economy overhead and questions, review summer
assignment.
Homework: pp.22-28, #4 and 5
Lesson 3: Scarcity: review homework, handout-scarcity
Homework: pp. 28-33, #10,11
Lesson 4: Production Posibilities Model: review homework, handout-ppm
Homework: pp.33-36, #15-16
Lesson 5: Economic Systems: review homework, practice free response- economic systems, practice test for
chapters 1 and 2
Homework: flashcards for chapter 2 terms
Lesson 6: Test on chapters 1 and 2
Homework: pp. 39-45 (stop at supply), #2 and 3
Lesson 7: Demand: journal-substitutes and compliments, review homework, handout-demand
Homework: pp.45-52, #4,5,7,8
Lesson 8: Supply: handout- supply changes, review homework, handout-supply
Homework: pp.52-55, finish handout
Lesson 9: Review Demand and Supply: review homework, handout-supply and demand shifts, handout- how
markets allocate resources, practice test
Homework- flashcards-chapter 3 terms
Lesson 10: Test on chapter 3
Homework: pp.60-69, 31,2,7,10
Lesson 11: The Private Sector: review homework
Homework: pp.73-78, #2,3,4
Lesson 12: complete #5 and 7, review homework
Homework: pp. 79-87, #8,9,10,12
Lesson 13: The Public Sector: complete #6, review homework, review circular flow diagram, practice test
Homework: flashcards- chapters 4 and 5 terms
Lesson 14: Test on chapters 4 and 5
Homework pp.356-364 (stop at price elasticity of supply), # 2,4,5,6
Unit 2: Microeconomics of Product Markets (7 Weeks)
Chapters 20-25 in McConnell Brue
A. Elasticity of Demand and Supply
B. Consumer Behavior and Utility Maximization
C. The Costs of Production
D. Pure Competition, Pure Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition, Oligopoly
Lesson 15: Price Elasticity of Demand: handout-elasticity of demand, review homework
Homework: pp.364-368, # 8, 10, 12,13,15
Lesson 16: Price Elasticity of Supply: handout-price elasticity of supply, review homework, practice free responseelasticity
Homework: pp.372-381, #3,4,5,6
Lesson 17: Consumer Behavior and Utility Maximization: review homework, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 20 and 21 terms
Lesson 18: Test on chapters 20 and 21
Homework: pp.392-403
Lesson 19: Economic Costs and Short-Run Production: complete #2, review homework, handout-economic costs
Homework: pp.403-410, #4,6,7,8
Lesson 20: Long-Run Production Costs: handout- lonr-run production costs, review homework
Homework: pp.413-422, #10,11,12 (from chapter 22)
Lesson 21: Characteristics of Pure Competition and Profit Maximization on the Short- Run: review homework,
practice multiple-choice problems for chapter 22, complete #4 from chapter 23
Homework: pp.423-427, finish #4
Lesson 22: Marginal Cost and Short-Run Supply: review homework, review cost curves
Homework: pp.427-433, #6,7,8
Lesson 23: Profit Maximization in the Long-Run: review notes, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 22 and 23 terms
Lesson 24: Test on chapters 22 and 23
Homework: pp.438-447 (stop before economic effects), #1,2,3
Lesson 25: Introduction to Pure Monoply: handout-pure monopoly, review homework
Homework: pp.447-455, #5,6
Lesson 26: Economic Effects of Monopoly and Regulating Monopoly : complete #8, review homework, handout
regulating monopoly
Homework: pp.460-466, #10,11,12 (from chapter 24)
Lesson 27: Monopolistic Competition: review homework, handout-monopolistic competition
Homework: 467-475, #2,3,4
Lesson 28: Oligopoly: review the prisoner’s dilemna game, review homework
Homework: pp.476-479, 37,8,9,10
Lesson 29: Oligopoly Advertising and Efficiency: review homework, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 24 and 25
Lesson 30: Test on chapters 24 and 25
Homework pp.504-512, #1,3,4 AND pp.513-518, #5,8,9
Unit 3: Microeconomics of Resource Markets (3 Weeks)
Chapters 27-29 in McConnell Brue
A. The Demand for Resources
B. Wage Determiniation
C. Rent, Interest, and Profit
Lesson 31: The Demand for Resources: review homework, handout- demand for resources
Homework: pp.513-518, #5,8,9
Lesson 32: Labor, Wages, and the Monopsony Model: review homework, handout-wages
Homework over Thanksgiving break: pp.521-528, finish handout and pp.528-533, #3,4,6
Lesson 33: Labor, Wages, the Monopsony Model, and Union Models: review homework, handouts-wages and
unions
Homework: pp.533-539, #7,9
Lesson 34: Wage Differentials and Pay For Performance: review homework, complete practice multiple-choice
questions for chapter 28
Homework: p.542-550, #2,3,4
Lesson 35: Economic Rent, Interest: review homework, handout economic rent, review economic profit and
complete # 10,11,12, practice free response for final exam
Homework: #5,6,8,14 (from chapter 29)
Lesson 36: Review for Chapters 28 and 29: review homework, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 28 and 29 terms
Lesson 37: Test on chapters 28 and 29
Homework: pp. 558-566
Unit 4: Microeconomics of Governement (3 Weeks)
Chapters 30-32 and 34 in McConnell Brue
A. Governement and Market Failure
B. Public Choice Theory and Taxation
C. Antitrust Policy and Regulation
D. Income Inequality and Poverty
Lesson 38: Public Goods and Externalities: review homework, complete #3
Homework: pp.566-572, #4 and 5, flashcards for chapter 30 terms
Lesson 39: Market Approach to Spillover Costs: review homework, free response practice for final exam
Homework: pp.572-575 (read only), pp.580-586, #12 and 13 (from chapter 30)
Lesson 40: Government Failure: complete #2,3,5, review homework, practice free response for final exam
Homework for the holiday break: pp.586-594, #6,7,8,9, flashcards for chapter 31 terms, pp. 600-610, #2,5,7
and final exam practice test
Lesson 41: Apportioning the Tax Burden: review homework, practice free response for final exam
Homework: pp. 631-642 and 2,3,5,7, pp. 643-645 (read only)
Lesson 42: Antitrust Laws and Policy Issues: review homework and problems, practice free response for final exam
Homework: flashcards for chapter 32 terms
Lesson 43: Income Inequality: review, practice test
Homework: flashcards for chapter 34 terms
Lesson 44: Review for the Final Exam: practice free response and answer questions
Lesson 45: Review for the Final Exam: multiple choice practice test
Lesson 46: Final Exam
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
I have read the attached syllabus for Mr. Pink’s AP Microeconomics course and understand what is needed to have a
successful semester.
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