AP Macroeconomics Plan for Success

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics
Plan for Success

Web: https://www.phoenixunion.org/Page/2782

Email: mmcwenie@phoenixunion.org

StudentVue: https://studentvue.phoenixunion.org/

Course Overview
Every individual in society must successfully answer the same questions:
1. How do I satisfy my unlimited desires with my limited resources?
2. What choices do I make?
That's all economics really is, the study of how individuals like yourself and society as a whole answer these questions.  It's about making decisions and the costs and benefits that go along with these decisions. During the course we will study the basic principles, characteristics, and theories of the free enterprise and   other economic systems. You will become more informed about economics and be able to analyze and evaluate the world from an economic perspective.

Course Outline

I.                    Basic Economic Concepts

II.                  Measurement of Economic Performance

a.       National income accounts

b.       Inflation measurement and adjustment

c.        Unemployment

III.               National Income and Price Determination

a.       Aggregate demand

b.       Aggregate supply

c.        Macroeconomics equilibrium

IV.                Financial Sector

a.       Money, banking, and financial markets

b.       Loanable funds market

c.        Central bank and control of the money supply

V.                  Stabilization Policies

a.       Fiscal and monetary policies

b.       The Phillips curve

VI.                Economic Growth

a.       Definition of economic growth

b.       Determinants of economic growth

c.        Growth policy

VII.             Open Economy: International Trade and Finance

a.       Balance of payments accounts

b.       Foreign exchange market

c.        Imports, exports, and financial capital flows

d.       Relationships between international and domestic financial and goods markets

Student Outcomes
 1. You will understand that because resources are limited and people's wants are unlimited people must continually find ways of determining priorities for the use of resources.
 2. You will understand how different economic systems determine priorities in the use of economic resources.
 3. You will understand how buyers and sellers are influenced by the laws of supply and demand.
 4. You will understand the measurement devices that the government and others use to assess economic conditions.
 5. You will understand that fluctuations in the economy can, in theory, be moderated by government action in order to maintain our standard of living and promote economic growth.
 6. You will understand how trade between nations enhances living standards and how a change in tariffs or quotas will cause economic change.

Course Framework
In this course you are expected to achieve an understanding of economics at the college level. All of you should strive to master at least 80% of the material covered in the course. Settling for a "C" in the class is not enough. I want you to leave this class with an appreciation for economics in some significant amount. Most of you are capable of mastering far more than 80%. If you are having difficulty with the material covered in class I strongly encourage you to come to me for help. That is my job.  I can't do my job if you do not make yourself available for that help. So if you need help tell me! Together we can set up a plan to solve the situation.

I am available to help at the following times (Office Hours):

Attendance
 If you miss class(absent, brown slip, etc.) it is your responsibility to ask about any missed assignments and to make them up in the allowed time, i.e. according to school policy(1 day to make up for 1 day absent, 2 days for 2 days, etc.). I do not want to hear any excuses about not being able to come in during office hours. Your education is the most important thing at this time in your life! Each student is expected to meet the minimum attendance requirements of Central High School.

Grading System
 The grading scale will be:

Accommodations will be made for students on an individual basis according to their IEP or 504 Plans.

Classroom Behavior and Rules
1. Students will arrive on time, ready to learn, with proper materials.
2. Students will be in class for the entire class period unless there is an emergency.
3. Students will behave and act in a manner that is respectful of other persons, their possessions, and their opinions.
4. Students will behave and act in a manner that encourages learning.

Assessment (Mastery Learning): Each student's grade will be determined by combining grades from homework, group and individual projects, in class assignments, and tests. For each unit of study (usually 3-4 weeks’ time) you will be given certain objectives which you must achieve which show that you have mastered the material taught. We will study a particular subject for 3-4 weeks and assessment of progress will occur throughout that unit. If you do not achieve mastery you will have the opportunity to make test corrections for ½ credit. In addition, each student will be required to keep a notebook containing all class assignments, notes, handouts, etc. Materials in these notebooks should be clearly organized with name, period, and date on ALL papers. Papers in the notebook will be placed in dated order. Notebooks will be collected periodically to be checked and graded. Notebooks should be three ring binders with 6 dividers with rings of 1to 1½ inches in diameter. Stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, or Staples carry these for 1-2 dollars.

Makeup Work: I strongly encourage you to hand your homework and other assignments in on time. I accept work that is late but the highest grade you can receive on late work is 70%. All makeup/ late work for the first term is due by the Monday before the end of the 1^st term. At the end of the semester all makeup/ late work is due 2 Mondays before senior exams.

Title I Program: Academic tutoring and test preparation is available to all students. Additional support for passing classes and graduating on time is the intent of these services. Support through Title I funding is available in the areas of: math, reading and English. If interested, please contact Principal John Biera or Assistant Principal for Instruction Michael Gard, for additional information at 602-764-7500.

Attendance: “Absent” is defined as nonattendance in an assigned class or activity for more than one-half of the period. (PUHSD Governing Board Policy J-1561 JHR). If you miss class (absent, brown slip, etc.) it is your responsibility to ask about any missed assignments and to make them up in the allowed time, i.e. according to school policy(1 day to make up for 1 day absent, 2 days for 2 days, etc.). The number one cause of students failing this class is poor attendance and the failure to make up missed work. Students with more than 10 absences almost always fail the class and those with less than 10 almost always pass the class! 

Tardy Policy: “Tardy” is defined as not being in the assigned class or activity when the tardy bell has finished ringing. (PUHSD Governing Board Policy J-1561 JHR) It is the student's responsibility to arrive at class on time, ready to learn. Late arriving students are disruptive to the smooth operation of our class. If tardies become a problem students can expect consequences.