Advanced Placement Economics Syllabus
Steve Celio: Instructor
scelio@lcps.org
703-957-4400 (W) 703-327-7831 (H)
Resources
Textbook: McConnell, C. and Brue, S. (2009). Economics, 18th Edition, New York: McGraw-Hill.
Textbook supplement: Ellison, L. (2009). AP Achiever: Advanced Placement exam prep guide for microeconomics and
macroeconomic. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Outside reading #1: Hazlitt, Henry (1988 reprint). Economics in One Lesson.
Outside reading #2: Wheelan, Charles (2002). Naked economics. New York: Norton.
General Course Information
This course is designed as a full year course subdivided into a course on Microeconomics from September through December
and one on Macroeconomics from January through April. Between mid April and the AP Exam in May both micro and
macroeconomics will be reviewed. While there are separate syllabi for each course, Briar Woods requires that both be taken
in order to earn credit. In addition, students enrolled in this course are expected to take both the Macro (AM) and Micro
(PM) Economics Advanced Placement Examinations on May 17, 2012. Failure to take the examinations will result in
students not receiving the additional 1-point bump for their GPA and will mean they are not able to earn college credit for the
course. Most universities and colleges require a grade of 3 or better on the AP Examination for credit. For the 2011-2012
school year students will be responsible for all fees associated with AP tests.
AP Exam Structure:
Each exam is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes long, and consists of a 60-question, 70-minute multiple-choice section
and a 60-minute free response section with a brief break in between the two sections. The multiple-choice portion accounts
for two-thirds of the student’s exam grade. The free response section begins with a mandatory 10-minute reading period.
During this period, students are advised to read each of the questions, sketch graphs, make notes and plan their answers.
After you complete the reading period, you will have 50 minutes to complete ONE long and TWO short essay questions.
Fifty percent of the section score is based on the LONG essay while each short essay contributes 1/4 to the free response
score.
The essays usually require that you link two or more of the content areas studied during the year, analyze an economic
situation and evaluate general microeconomic principles. The best essays demonstrate both analytical and organizational
skills, and when needed, incorporate diagrams that help to clarify the analysis. In some of the questions, your response might
have to include a graph while others will ask for an interpretation of a graph.
Course Syllabi
Part I: Microeconomics: First Semester (August through Winter Break)
Students will gain an understanding of the economic principles related to the decisions of individuals, both consumers and
producers, within the larger economic system. Basic economic concepts, including the product and factor markets,
efficiency, equity and the role of the government will be emphasized.
Part II: Macroeconomics- Second Semester (January through April)
The purpose of the Macroeconomics section of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of
economics that apply to an economic system as a WHOLE. Such a course will place emphasis on the study of national
income and price level determination, and also develops students' familiarity with economic performance measures, the
financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth and international economics. The following is a brief outline of the
Macro Economics section of this AP Economics course.
Part III: Post-Exam Activities
I. Personal Finance
II. Research projects
Grade weighting
Tests- 25%
Quizzes- 20%
Free responses- 20%
Homework- 10%
Classwork- 10%
Projects- 15%
Vocabulary quizzes: These will be daily and will cover the prior night’s vocabulary as well as terms from earlier in the year.
Unit Tests:
Because each chapter in the review book covers multiple topics, the test on each is really a unit test, which
will cover approximately two to three chapters in the textbook. These will be worth 100 points each, and a 70-minute time
limit will be enforced. Each will consist of:
1. A 10-question fill-in-the blank (no word bank) vocabulary section which will account for 25% of the grade;
2. 25 AP-style multiple-choice questions, which will account for 50% of the grade
3. One essay question, which will account for the remaining 25%.
Economic Literacy: Students will compile five articles dealing with the economy, covering at least three different weeks. For
each article the student needs a complete citation in MLA format, a one-paragraph summary, a one-paragraph analysis, and a
list and definitions of key economics and economic indicators referenced in the article. This will be a project grade.
Class Notebook: Students enrolled in AP Economics will be required to maintain a three ring binder for the course, which
will be graded near the end of the quarter. A table of contents will be filled out as we go along. Included items are class
notes, worksheets from class or homework, graphs (usually from the Appendices in the textbook), vocabulary lists/definitions
and any other handouts. This will count as a homework grade, and will make up the bulk of the grade for that category.
Classwork/Homework: This will consist of formative assessments and skill practice designed to reinforce the concepts
learned in class. The most important aspect of the homework is keeping up with the reading. Assignments will be either
listed on the teacher's website, the quarter calendar or the homework board in our classroom. Students have three places to
check if there is homework scheduled for that night.
Book report: Students will read the assigned book or an agreed upon alternative. The grading will be done through a oneon-one discussion with Mr. Celio to be arranged by the student. This will count as a project grade.
Midterm and Pre-final examinations: The Midterm examination for this course will be a released AP Micro-Economics Test
and the “Pre-final (given in late April) will be a released Macro Exam. The teacher will use the same grading rubric as the
College Board when grading the assignment.
Late work policy:
1. For tests/quizzes missed for excused absences/tardiness, the student is responsible for scheduling a make-up time to
be completed within one week of their return to class. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 50% being assigned.
Missed test or quizzes for unexcused absences or tardiness will result in a grade of 50% being assigned.
2. The current event notebooks and class notebooks will be due on the dates identified on the calendar, and will be
assessed a 50-point penalty for each day they are late.
3. Homework assignments will not be accepted late except in the cases of excused absences. A grade of 20% will be
given for missed homework assignments.
4. Upon return from an absence check with Mr. Celio to see what you missed. Get any assignments and complete
them for the next class. If you missed notes please get them from a classmate.
Guidelines for Success:
1.
Read and outline chapters, complete the multiple choice sections for each chapter.
2.
Correct mistakes on your assignments. Fix the errors that exist in your mind before moving on!
3.
Learn and love the graphs used in Economics, and maintain a graph section in your notebook.
4.
Create study groups and work together, but find students with work ethics similar to your own.
5.
Review, review and review some more. The more you review information, the more you will remember. .
Notes:
1.
All school rules (e.g. Honor Code, tardy policy, phone/iPod rules, etc.) will be enforced in class.
2.
Many items will be sold in this class to demonstrate a variety of economic activities. All net proceeds will be
pooled and used at the end of the year to pay for breakfast on the day of the exam or other class food purchases.