Advanced Placement
MACROECONOMICS

MR. CRAWFORD

Course Schedule Classroom Rules Academic Expectations Academic Honesty Policy

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS

"Economics is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.  The term economics comes from the Greek for oikos (house) and nomos (custom or law), hence "rules of the house(hold)." - Wikipedia

Economics is divided into two parts:  Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. The study of Microeconomics concerns the fundamental decisions of individuals--both consumers and producers--within the larger economic system. Micro emphasizes the study of opportunity cost and scarcity; including concepts such as the nature of product and factor markets, price determination, and marginal cost analysis. Macroeconomics uses the basic principles of economics to explain the economic system as a whole. Macroeconomics focuses on comparative economic systems, national income accounting, economic growth, and international trade; stressing the need for accurate measures of economic performance, and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.

This course will focus on the study of Macroeconomics, and in particular the debate surrounding government attempts to manipulate, direct, and control the economy to correct for market failures. Students enrolled in this course will  have the choice to take the 2013 Advanced Placement Examination in Macroeconomics in order to get credit or placement at the college of their choice.  This examination is approximately two hours long, and consists of a 70-minute multiple-choice section and a 50-minute free-response section. For scoring purposes, the multiple-choice section of the test accounts for two-thirds of the student's examination grade and the free-response section for the remaining one-third.

There will be a MINIMUM of one graph to learn each unit of study.

Students successfully completing this course will:

  • Obtain an understanding of fundamental economic principles and theories. 
  • Apply their understanding of course material to their personal lives. 
  • Enhance their decision-making abilities by analyzing and examining contemporary economic issues.
  • Identify how social and natural factors influence the development of economic principles. 
  • Understand how the U.S. economy is affected by market forces as well as government intervention. 
  • Analyze and understand the factors that influence and guide America’s economic policies. 
Our ultimate objective will be reached on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 8:00am, when you will be able to sit down fully prepared to pass the AP Examination in Macroeconomics.

Required Text:

  Economics for AP, 1st ed., 2012. Margaret Ray and David Anderson (this eText includes a software student tutorial and online unit quizzes).

  The best site for up-to-date economic issues,  information, and study material
  The best site for graph review
  The best site for practice quizzes
The best site for up-to-date economic issues and information

Robert A. Crawford.
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