COURSE SYLLABUS
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics
Course Description:
In this one-semester course, students learn the basics of critical thinking, logical
fallacies and academic discourse, while preparing to take the AP Exam. AP
Macroeconomics provides students with a thorough understanding of the economic
principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. Students learn about scarcity,
national income, price determination, economic performance measures, the financial
sector, stabilization policies, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and
international economics. The course prepares students for success on the AP Exam
and is the equivalent of a college-level course in macroeconomics.
Each unit includes various activities that will allow students to demonstrate subject
mastery. Throughout the course, students will be provided instruction and feedback on
writing assignments, document based essays, and free response essays both before
and after the revision of their work.
Learning Outcomes (comprehensive):
At the completion of Macroeconomics, the student will have an understanding of:
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the fundamentals of economics
macro economics
scarcity and opportunity costs
production possibilities and curves
absolute and comparative advantage
fundamentals of demand
fundamentals of supply
fundamentals of equilibrium
the impact of price ceilings and floors
circular flow
Gross Domestic Product
the fundamentals of the business cycle
the fundamentals of inflation and price indices
how unemployment impacts the economy
Classical Economics and Say’s Law
the fundamentals of aggregate supply
the fundamentals of aggregate demand
expenditure and tax multipliers
equilibrium in the AD/AS model
economic growth and productivity
Keynesian Economics and fiscal policy
COURSE SYLLABUS
 Comparative advantage and international trade
 Balance of payments
 Exchange rates, financial capital and net exports\
 Foreign exchange markets
 Free trade and trade barriers
 Understanding international trade and finance
 Money supply
 Money creation and the money multiplier
 Time value of money
 Loanable funds market
 Equation of change
 Modern theories
 Fiscal policy review
 Automatic stabilizers
 Economic impact of deficits and debt
 Federal reserve system
 Monetary policy
 Graphing monetary policy
 Phillips Curve
 Fiscal and monetary policies
Content Standards:
This Advanced Placement Macroeconomics course is written to the content standards
outlined by the College Board’s AP Macroeconomics site
Prerequisites:
At least a B in most recent social studies course and good writing skills.
Required Texts:
Primary Text:
Arnold, Roger, A.
Macroeconomic.
10th edition.
South-Western Cengage Learning:
Mason, OH 2011
ISBN-10: 1111823014
ISBN-13: 9781111823016
COURSE SYLLABUS
Supplementary Materials:
Microsoft Office Suite
Email Account
Economics U$A Videos
Course Methodology:
This is an inquiry-based course where you will discover and utilize knowledge of
macroeconomics via the textbook, videos, and other readings, along with websites, and
synchronous and asynchronous discussions with other students and the instructor.
Acting as a facilitator, your instructor will guide you through the process; however, as
the learner, you are responsible for actively acquiring and constructing knowledge by
completing all assigned readings and activities.
Both formal and informal assessment will be used in evaluating your performance
throughout the course. Informal assessment will include an evaluation of the quality and
timeliness of your participation in class activities. Formal assessment will involve
multiple-choice quizzes, written essays, timed writings, and a final exam.
Course Participation Objectives
This course for which you are registered is a college preparatory, academically rigorous
course that covers an entire semester’s worth of material. As such, it is important that
you adhere to the following guidelines as you manage your time and commit to
successfully completing all required coursework:
1. The requirements for this course are equivalent to completion of minimum of 90+
hours of class instruction at a traditional on-site high school
2. Assignments must be submitted for each unit as they are completed so that the
teacher may review and assess your performance. Do not hold your work, you
must submit each unit’s homework as it is completed, demonstrating weekly
assignment completions
3. You must log in regularly to your course to demonstrate continued participation,
and completion of all course requirements, including assignments, assessments
and discussion forums
4. You must complete your individual work and any incident of suspected cheating,
plagiarism or collaboration on assignments violates the academic integrity
COURSE SYLLABUS
expectations outlined at the time of your enrollment and can result in failure of
the course or further action as deemed appropriate
It is expected that students complete all required assignments, participate in all
discussion boards and other discussion forums, complete all unit based examinations,
including midterms and finals and complete all required projects.
Your regular participation and performance are a part of your permanent academic
record and may be requested by your primary school, college or other institution to
verify that you satisfactorily completed all course requirements, and your record should
demonstrate evidence of the following:
o Continued and regular participation in the course
o
Completion of all course requirements including assignments, assessments and
discussions
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Completion of all unit assignment requirements
Adherence to the above guidelines will ensure you have maximum opportunity to learn
the materials, and demonstrate successful completion of the coursework.
Course Policies and Procedures
Distance Learning is self-directed learning. It requires a high level of responsibility,
dedication and self-discipline on the part of the student. In this course, you are
responsible for your own work, your own progress and your own grade. In order to
succeed, you need to log in to the course regularly to check announcements, participate
in discussions and access course content. At a minimum every week students are
responsible for completing the following tasks:
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Attend all on-line class activities, including participation in weekly
threaded discussion, and small group discussions
Timely submission of assignments, submitted as instructed.
Threaded Discussion. You must make three threaded discussion entries throughout
the week, not at the end of the week. You should post your first thread response as well
as respond to at least 2 classmates’ threads.
Communication and Expectations
Communication is the key to success in the online course environment. Students are
encouraged and should contact the instructor via email with any questions or concerns.
Students will also have the opportunity to discuss course related issues through the
discussion board and/or chat room. The instructor will post announcements on the
course homepage as well as send periodic emails to the entire course roster.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Netiquette: Communication Courtesy Code. All members of the class are expected to
follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions and chats.
If I deem any of them to be inappropriate or offensive, I will forward the message to the
Chair of the department and the online administrators and appropriate action will be
taken, not excluding expulsion from the course.
Assignments & Turning Work In. All assignments should be turned in via DropBox
unless otherwise specified. Each unit you will complete and submit assignments. The
assignments are relative to the lectures, and presentations provided each unit. You can
access the Assignments by clicking on the Assignment button on the course menu.
Deadlines. Odd things happen in cyberspace—emails get lost, servers disconnect
temporarily, and logins fail. Do not wait for the last minute to do your work. Allow time to
meet deadlines. Reply and check for replies on every email sent and received. You are
responsible for getting the work to me on time
Late Work. Each week's work must be completed by Friday of every week. Please
submit work according to your course’s pacing guide.
Help Desk--For technical problems like not being able to view a page, slowness issues,
problems viewing video or hearing audio, things not working as they should, please
contact the 24/7 eCollege helpdesk at (877) 252-7715. The Help Desk does not answer
homework questions; send those to me.
Email Policies and Procedures
Sending assignments not turned in at the DropBox. On the Subject header of your
email address, you must put the following: "Your last name, <class number>, Name of
Assignment." In the body of your message, identify the assignment. For example, "Short
Story Draft One." This is extremely important, as this is how my email software will sort
my mail for me. You will then receive an automatic reply the next time I check my mail
informing you that I have received your assignment.
General email. When sending email other than assignments, in all email sent to me
and/or other members of our class, you still must identify yourself fully by name and
class, not simply by an email address
Responding to email. I will check my email daily. I will respond to course related
questions within 24–48 hours. I will announce assignment due dates in the course units
and through updated messages just as I would in a regular class. Comments on formal
assignments may take up to 48 hours but probably less than that. I ask that you notify
me when you have received critiques from me on your various assignments.
Email attachments. All formal assignments must be saved in Microsoft Word so that I
can read them. If you cannot save your files in Microsoft Word, you will not be able to
COURSE SYLLABUS
complete the class. Sorry. But do not panic. Most modern word processing systems can
save in Microsoft Word. (You can save in your own word processing program, but when
you email me, you need to copy that file and save it in Microsoft Word before you attach
it. Or, save the file as .rtf. For instructions on how to do this, consult the Student
Orientation Course, or call the HelpDesk.)
Safeguards. Back up your work on disk and make a hard copy. If you experience
computer difficulties, you are responsible for solving your own technical problems.
Helpdesk is available from the National University Student Concierge services. (See
Course Homepage for link and phone number.)
Academic Honesty
The following are forms of academic dishonesty. These practices will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism consists of using another author's words without
proper identification and documentation of that author. Plagiarism takes
the form of direct quotation without the use of quotation marks and/or
documentation, or paraphrasing without proper identification and
documentation. The fabrication of sources, or the act, deliberately or
unconsciously, of passing another author's work off as your own are also
considered to be plagiarism.
Falsification: Falsification consists of deliberately changing results,
statistics, or any other kind of factual information to make it suit your
needs. It also consists of deliberately changing a source’s intent by
misquoting or taking out of context.
Multiple submission: If you wish to turn in the same work or use the
same research, in whole or in part, for more than one course, you must
obtain permission to do so from all instructors involved. Failure to obtain
this permission constitutes academic dishonesty. This course is a chance
for you to explore your own creativity.
Course Outline
Unit
Course Home
Activities
Student course information
Lectures/Instructions
 Syllabus review
 Introduction to economics
 How to submit assignments
 Academic honesty policy review
 Writing standards
 Writing a bibliography tutorial
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Cornell note taking instructions
Geographic Literacy Review
Visual Analysis
Critical Thinking and Reading
Communications
Assignment
 Social Studies Skills Tutorial
Assessment (for credit only)
 Academic honesty and online class
participation quiz
Units 1 &2: Basic Economic Concepts
Diagnostic Assessment
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Diagnostic Exam
Lectures
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Economics Basics
Study tips
Basics Macro Review Sheet
Macroeconomics Basics
Scarcity and Opportunity Costs
Production Possibilities Curves
Absolute and Comparative
Advantage
Demand
Supply
Equilibrium
Price Ceilings and Floors
Understanding Economics Basics
Videos
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Way to Wealth
Law of Supply
Law of Demand
Needs vs. Wants
Presentations
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Basic Macro relationships
Demand, Supply, and Market Equilibrium
Disputes Over Macro Theory and Policy
(Introduction)
Assignments
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Key Terms
Self-checks
What Teens Do
Scarcity and Opportunity Costs
Writing assignment: Economic
reasoning behind scarcity with
relevant examples
Demand for New Era Baseball Caps /
Demand Curve Shift
Demand graphs
Supply for Apple Digital Music
Devices / Supply Curve Shift
Supply for Nintendo Game Console
Supply graphs
Equilibrium Shifts
Price floor and Ceiling Graphs
DBA1
Unit Review
Discussions
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Class introductions
Why study economics?
How do you define economics?
How is economics relevant to your
life?
What concerns do you have about
the economics in the United States or
around the world today?
What are the opportunity costs
involved in taking an AP class rather
than a general education economics
class?
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What are the benefits gained from
taking a challenging class?
Assessment
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Unit quiz
Project:
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Unit 3: Measurements of Economic
Performance
Student Choice
Lectures
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Model Introduction
Circular flow
Gross Domestic Product
The Business Cycle
Inflation and Price Indices
Unemployment
Presentations
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Economic Growth and Instability
The Market System and Circular Flow
Assignments
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Key terms
Self Checks
Circular Flow Free Response Essay
Graphing
Inflation and Price Indices
Assignment
Inflation Free Response Question
Resources Free Response Question
GDP Free Response Question
DBA 2
Unit Review
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Discussions
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Four sectors that make up total
expenditures in the macro-economy
Health of the macroeconomy
Why did you put them in the order
you did?
What would happen if the US
became a command economy?
What factor should be eliminated and
why?
Which factor, if eliminated, would do
the least harm to our way of life?
Assessment
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Unit Quiz
Project:
Student Choice from List (must choose 3)
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Purely financial transactions such
as stock purchases and public
and private transfer payments.
(Public transfer payments are
payments from the government
for which no good or service is
received. Examples of public
transfer payments are welfare,
unemployment compensation,
Social Security, and student
aid. Private transfer payments
include cash gifts from one person
to another.) Financial gains from
the sale of an asset are also
considered purely financial
transactions (e.g. selling your
home for more than you paid for
it.)
Intermediate goods that are used
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Unit 4: National Income, Price
Determination, and Economic Growth
in the production process and
counted when the final good is
sold (e.g. the flour used in baking
bread)
Secondhand sales (e.g. used
goods)
Non-market and other household
production activities (such as
when you repair your own car or a
mother stays home with her
children)
Leisure activities (How can you
put a price tag on the time away
from work when you lay around
the swimming pool?)
The underground economy. It's
hard to count unreported tips for
restaurant servers or cash
payments to laborers, if the
workers don't report the income!
Criminal activities are also part of
the underground economy.
The costs of pollution (What price
tag would you put on polluted air
or water due to everyday life?)
Lectures
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Model Introduction
Classical Economics and Say's Law
Aggregate Supply
Aggregate Demand
Propensities and Multipliers
The Expenditure and Tax Multipliers
Equilibrium in the AD / AS Model
Economic Growth and Productivity
Keynesian Economics and Fiscal
Policy
Understanding the AD / AS Model
Videos
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Aggregate Supply and Demand
Presentations
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Aggregate Demand and Aggregate
Supply
Economic Growth
Extending the Analysis of Aggregate
Supply
Aggregate Expenditures Model
Assignments
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Key Terms
Self Checks
Propensities and Multipliers
Assignment
Graphing Equilibrium Assignment
Economic Growth Graphing Activity
and Assessment
Discussion-based assessment on
understanding the AD/AS Model
DBA 3
Unit Review
Discussions
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Economic growth and productivity
Keynesian Economics and Fiscal
Policy
Assessment
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Unit 5: International Economics
Unit Quiz
Lectures
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Model Introduction
Comparative Advantage and
International Trade
Balance of Payments
Trade Barriers
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Understanding International Trade
Exchange Rates, Financial Capital,
and Net Exports
Foreign Exchange Markets
Free Trade and Trade Barriers
Understanding International Trade
and Finance
Videos
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Foreign Currency
Presentations
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Exchange Rates
International Trade
Assignments
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Key Terms
Self Checks
Practice Free Response on
Comparative Advantage and
International Trade
Graphing Foreign Exchange Rates
Assignment
Scenario Assignment
Tariffs and Quotas assignment
DBA 4 International Trade
Unit Review
Discussions
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Tariffs
US Dollars are falling?
Assessment
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Unit Quiz
Midterm (Units 1-4)
COURSE SYLLABUS
Unit 6: The Financial Sector
Lectures
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Model Introduction
The Money Supply
Money Creation and the Money
Multiplier
The Time Value of Money
The Loanable Funds Market
The Equation of Exchange
Video
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Stock Market Song
Presentations
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Fiscal Policy, Deficits, and Debt
Interest Rates and Monetary Policy
Money and Banking
Money Creation
Assignments
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Key terms
Self Checks
Free Response Question regarding
Money Creation
Loanable Funds Market Assignment
DBA 5
Unit Review
Discussions
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Money and Monetarists
The Great Depression
Fiscal vs. Monetary policy
Assessment
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Unit Quiz
COURSE SYLLABUS
Unit 7: Inflation, Unemployment, and
Stabilization Policies
Lectures
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Module Introduction
Alternate Theories
Modern Theories
Fiscal Policy review
Automatic Stabilizers
Economic Impact of Deficits and Debt
The Federal Reserve System
Introduction to Monetary Policy
Graphing Monetary Policy
The Phillips Curve
Understanding Fiscal and Monetary
Policies
Presentations
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Limits, Alternatives and Choices
Measuring Domestic Output and National
Income
The United States and the Global
Economy
Assignments
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Key Terms
Self Checks
Matching Game: Alternate Theories
(Compare/Contrast)
Debit/Deficit Interviews
Free Response—Graphing Monetary
Policy
DBA 6
Unit Review
Discussions
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The Federal Reserve and power
Federal Reserve responsibilities
Should any responsibilities be taken
away from the Federal Reserve?
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Another Depression?
Is war good for the economy?
What are the advantages and
disadvantages?
Provide examples in US History
Assessment
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Unit Quiz
Project
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Unit 8: Preparing for the AP Exam
Student’s Choice
Lectures
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An Overview of Advanced Placement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Sample Questions and Scoring
Guides
AP Central Website
Test Taking Tips
Guided Review of Economics
Content
Presentations
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Disputes Over Macro Theory and Policy
Common Mistakes on the AP
Macroeconomics Exam
Assignments
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Key Terms
Self Checks
Simulated AP Exam
DBA
Unit Review
Practice Tests
Discussions
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Class discussion and clarification of
topics
Assessment
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Unit 9: Course Resources and
Supplemental Study Guides
Unit Quiz
Lectures
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Buy, Sell or Loose it All?
Monetary Policy
Business Strategy
Presentations
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Jeopardy1
Jeopardy 2
Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Assignments
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Key Terms
Self Checks
Economics Games
Scenario Assignment 1: China’s
Economy
Scenario Assignment 2: World Oil
Market
Scenario Assignment 3: World
Commodity Prices
Scenario Assignment 4: World Steel
Market
Animated Economics Presentations
Discussions
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Class discussions
Scenario presentations
Assessment
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Final Exam
Grading Policy
Final Grades for this class will be based on your performance in group discussions, unit
assignments, three programming projects, a midterm and a final exam. Weightings will
be applied as follows:
Group Discussions/Class Participation
Homework Assignments**
Individual Project**
Group Project
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Final Portfolio—Selected Revised
Assignments
Total
20%
20%
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
100%
How you will be evaluated
Online Participation
Grade
A
B
C
D or F
Grade
A
B
Skills
Contributions are prompt, timely, relevant, self-initiated; remarks are
posted freely on all assignments throughout the course; there is no
attempt to dominate conversation.
Student generally keeps up with the discussion; needs an occasional
prompting to contribute; might participate in some discussions more than
others.
Participation is spotty; picks and chooses topics to get involved in; offers
short, perfunctory postings when prompted; takes limited initiative.
Student rarely participates freely; makes short, irrelevant remarks.
Assignments
Skills
Demonstrates excellence in grasping key concepts; critiques the work of others;
provides ample evidence of support for opinions; readily offers new interpretations of
discussion material.
Shows evidence of understanding most of the major concepts; is able to agree or
disagree when prompted; is skilled in basic level of support for opinions; offers an
COURSE SYLLABUS
occasional divergent viewpoint.
Has mostly shallow grasp of the material; rarely takes a stand on issues; offers
C
inadequate levels of support.
D or F
Shows no significant understanding of material.
Final Gradebook Portfolio
Grade Skills
Revised assignments show significant level of meaningful reflection; shows an
A
obvious investment of time and effort.
Meets required number of revisions; shows some creativity and adequate
B
organization; demonstrates some amount of meaningful reflection; includes
evidence of peer and self-assessment; generally shows a good effort.
Less than the required number revised assignments; lacks creativity; shows little
C
reflection on revisions; shows a limited effort.
D
Shows a poor effort.
Letter Grades are typically assigned as follows:
A
AB+
(4.0)
(3.7)
(3.3)
B
(3.0)
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
(2.7)
(2.3)
(2.0)
(1.7)
(1.3)
(1.0)
(0.7)
(0.0)
93% - 100%
superior/excellent
90% - 92.999%
87% - 89.999%
good/better than
83% - 86.999%
average
80% - 82.999%
77% - 79.999%
73% - 76.999% competent/average
70% - 72.999%
67% - 69.999%
63% - 66.999% minimum passing
60% - 62.999%
0% - 59.999% failing
Writing Standards
"A" Range: Outstanding achievement, significantly
exceeds standards.
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Unique topic or unique treatment of
topic, takes risks with comment; fresh
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approach
"B" Range: Commendable achievement, exceeds
standards for the course.

Sophisticated/exceptional use of
examples
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Original and "fluid" organization; all
sentences and paragraphs contribute;
sophisticated transitions between
paragraphs
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Integration of quotations and citations
is sophisticated and highlights the
author's argument
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Confidence in use of Standard
English, language reflects a practiced
and/or refined understanding of
syntax and usage
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Sentences vary in structure, very few
if any technical errors (no serious
mechanical errors)
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Specific, original focus, content well
handled
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Significance of content is clearly
conveyed; good use of examples;
sufficient support exists in all key
areas
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Has effective shape (organization),
effective pacing between sentences
or paragraphs
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Quotations and citations are
integrated into argument to enhance
the flow of ideas
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Has competent transitions between all
sentences and paragraphs
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Conveys a strong understanding of
Standard English; the writer is clear in
his/her attempt to articulate main
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points, but may demonstrate
moments of "flat" or undefined
language
"C" Range: Acceptable, solid achievement, meets
standards for the course.

May have a few minor mechanical
errors (misplaced commas, pronoun
disagreement, etc.). but no serious
mechanical errors (fragments, runons, comma-splices, etc.)
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Retains overall focus, generally solid
command of subject matter
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Subject matter well-explored but may
show signs of under-development
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Significance is understood, competent
use of examples
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Structure is solid, but an occasional
sentence or paragraph may lack
focus
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Quotations and citations are
integrated into argument
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Transitions between paragraphs
occur but may lack originality
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Competent use of language;
sentences are solid but may lack
development, refinement, style
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Occasional minor mechanical errors
may occur, but do not impede clear
understanding of material

No serious mechanical errors
(fragments, run-ons, comma-splices,
etc.)
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"D" Range: Marginal achievement; only meets minimum
standards.
"F" Range: Failure to meet minimum standards.
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Significance of content is unclear

Lacks sufficient examples or
relevance of examples may be
unclear

Support material may not be clearly
incorporated into argument
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Expression is occasionally awkward
(problematic sentence structure)
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Mechanical errors may at times
impede clear understanding of
material
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May have a few serious mechanical
errors, but no recurring serious
mechanical errors (fragments, runons, comma-splices, etc.)
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Ignores assignment

Lacks significance

Lacks coherence

Includes plagiarized material
(intentional or unintentional)

Lacks focus

Difficult to follow due to awkward
sentence or paragraph development

Mechanical errors impede
understanding

Problems with writing at the college
level
Discussion Board Rubric
Score
Initial
3
Response
2
Response
1
Response
0
Response
COURSE SYLLABUS
completely
Response
addresses the
prompt with a
well--‐
developed
paragraph of at
least five
to seven
sentences.
adequately
addresses the
prompt with a
paragraph
of five to
seven
sentences.
somewhat
addresses the
prompt with a
paragraph
less than five to
seven
sentences.
Does not
Address the
prompt.
Or
No response.
Follow-up Posts
Score
Follow-up Posts
2
1
0
Responses only
Responses are
No response given
Thoughtful and
Agree or disagree
With no thoughtful
create
discussion. And:
discussion. And/or:
One response given Only one response
to two classmates.
To one classmate.
*If there is more than one prompt, students must reply to all prompts. All prompts are
worth a total of 5 points. Scoring is detailed above.