AP Economics
Mr. Pink
Phone: 760-726-5611 x.71708
Email: mrpinkatvhs@yahoo.com
http://vhsapecon.wordpress.com/
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. (2012). Economics (19th 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.
Morton, J. S., & Goodman, J. B. (2003). Advanced Placement Economics (3rd ed.). New York: National Council on
Economics Education.
* This resource 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 Notebook: 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.
Suggested Supplies
A 3-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.
Macroeconomics Course Plan
Unit 1: Macroeconomic Measurement, Basic Concepts and An Introduction to the Aggregate Expenditures Model (5
Weeks)
Chapters 23-28 in McConnell Brue
A. Measuring Domestic Output and National Income
B. Economic Growth
C. Introduction to Economic Growth and Instability
D. Basic Macroeconomic Relationships
E. Aggregate Expenditures Model
Lesson 1: An Introduction to Macroeconomics, review homework (p.472-482, #3,5,7)
Homework: pp.485-494, #2,4,7
Lesson 2: Calculating GDP: review homework, handout-introduction to macroeconomics
Homework: pp.494-500, problem #4,5,7
Lesson 3: Other National Accounts/ Nominal v. Real GDP: review homework, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 23 and 24
Lesson 4: Test on chapters 23 and 24
Homework: pp.505-512, #1,4, problem #1
Lesson 5: Economic Growth: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.512-523, #9,10
Lesson 6: Production Possibilities Analysis: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.526-535, #1,4,5
Lesson 7: The Business Cycle and Unemployment: review homework, handout-unemployment
Homework: pp.535-543, #7,8,9
Lesson 8: Inflation: review homework, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 25 and 26
Lesson 9: Test on chapters 25 and 26
Homework- pp.547-554, #1,2,3,4
Lesson 10: Basic Macroeconomic Relationships: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.555-564, problems #6,7,9.
Lesson 11: Interest Rate-Investment Relationship: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.567-575, #2,4
Lesson 12: The Aggregate Expenditures Model-private, closed economy: review homework, practice
problems
Homework: pp.574-577, #6, problem #3
Lesson 13: The Aggregate Expenditures Model-private, open economy: review homework, practice
problems
Homework: pp.578-585, #7
Lesson 14: The Aggregate Expenditures Model-public, open economy: review homework, practice
Problems, practice test
Homework, flashcards-chapters 27 and 28
Lesson 15:Test on chapters 27 and 28
Homework: pp.589-597, #1,3
Unit 2: Macroeconomic Models, Fiscal Policy, and Monetary Policy (6 Weeks)
Chapters 29 and 35, 30-33 in McConnell Brue
A. Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
B. Extending the Analysis of Aggregate Supply- The Phillips Curve and Taxation and Aggregate Supply
C. Fiscal Policy
D. Money and Banking
E. How Banks and Thrifts Create Money
F.
Monetary Policy
G. Disputes Over Macro Theory and Policy
Lesson 16: Aggregate Demand: review homework, handout-aggregate demand
Homework: pp.597-604, #6,7,8,9
Lesson 17: Aggregate supply: review homework, handout-aggregate supply
Homework: pp.717-724, #1,2
Lesson 18: From Short Run to Long Run: review homework, handout-long-run aggregate supply
Homework: pp.724-734, #7,8,9
Lesson 19: The Inflation-Unemployment Relationship: review homework, practice problems, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 29 and 35
Lesson 20: Test on chapters 29 and 35
Homework: pp.613-619, #2, 3, problem #1
Lesson 21: Fiscal Policy and the AD-AS Model: review homework, graphing practice
Homework: pp.619-629, #5,9,10
Lesson 22: Evaluating Fiscal Policy: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.636-642, #2,3,4
Lesson 24: Functions and Components of the Money Supply: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.643-650, #7,8
Lesson 25: The Federal Reserve and the Banking System: review homework, practice test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 30 and 31
Lesson 26: Test on chapters 30 and 31
Homework: pp.655-660, #4,5,6
Lesson 27: The Fractional Reserve System: review homework, video-The Goldsmiths
Homework: pp.660-667, problems#4,5
Lesson 28: Money-Creating Transactions: review homework, poster project
Homework: pp.670-675, #1,2
Lesson 29: Interest Rates and Monetary Policy: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.675-683, #3, problem #3
Lesson 30: Tools of Monetary Policy: review homework, practice problems
Homework: pp.684-692, #8,
Lesson 31: Monetary Policy, Real GDP, and the Price Level: review homework, graphing practice, practice
test
Homework: flashcards-chapters 32 and 33
Lesson 32: Test on chapters 32 and 33
Homework: Handout-chapter 36
Lesson 33: Current Issues in Macro Theory and Policy: review homework, debate and write-up
Homework: pp.755-763, #3,4
Unit 5: International Economics and the World Economy (2 Weeks)
Chapters 37-38 in McConnell Brue
A. International Trade
B. Exchange Rates, the Balance of Payments, and Trade Deficits
Lesson 34: Specialization and Comparative Advantage, Terms of Trade: review homework, handoutcomparative advantage practice free response for the AP test
Homework: pp. 763-770, #5,6
Lesson 35: Supply and Demand Analysis of Exports and Imports, Trade Barriers, and Protectionism:
review homework, handout-barriers to trade
Homework: pp. 780-785, #2,3,4
Lesson 36: Financing International Trade, The Balance of Payments: review homework, practice AP test
Homework: pp.785-793, #5,6,7
Lesson 37: Exchange Rates: review homework, practice AP questions
Lesson 38: Review for AP test: practice AP questions
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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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