AP Macroeconomics

Syllabus
A. Carmona
amcarmo1@episd.org
Course Overview
AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level course that focuses on the principles
that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study
of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students familiarity with
economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth,
and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe,
and explain economic concepts. (CollegeBoard)
Student Text
McConnell, Campbell R., Stanley L. Brue, and Sean Masaki Flynn. Economics:
Principles, Problems, and Policies. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Required Daily Materials:

1) Notebook (3 subject college ruled, 120/150 sheets, will remain in the class)
2) Lined paper (college ruled loose leaf paper)
3) Graph paper (loose leaf standard size 8.5 x 11)
4) Dry erase markers (2 different colored markers)
5) Writing utensil; pencil or pen (black or blue ink ONLY! points may be
deducted if proper writing utensil is not used)
6) Electronic device that has internet capabilities such as a laptop, tablet,
cellphone, etc. (to access OneNote you will ONLY be allowed to use a laptop/tablet with
keyboard, no CELLPHONES will be used to take notes or access OneNote, all devices should
be charged BEFORE you come to class!)
7) Textbook (ALWAYS)
Course Requirements and Grading:
Successful completion of this course requires: classroom participation, attendance, completion
of assignments and projects, as well as the results of the exams.
Nine Weeks Grade:
Chapter Quiz...10%
Homework (assignments that are not worked on in class i.e. chapter outlines, current
events).........20%
Unit Exams & FRQs ..............................25%
Daily Work (assignments where class time is given i.e. class work, notes)..15%
Projects (group/individual, research assignments).............30%
**Note: students will have a total of 5 Hall Passes that can be turned in at the end of
the nine weeks for EXTRA CREDIT points on the quiz portion of your grade ONLY.

There is a total of 5 points that can be added to the overall quiz average, deduction of 1
point per pass used. If you LOSE your sheet or use all passes, you will NOT receive
another pass until the following nine weeks. These points may ONLY be redeemed on
the condition that you do NOT have excessive tardies, have not received a 3 for
plagiarizing/cheating, have not had a phone call home about a technology offense, have
not had points deducted for a profanity offense, and do not have any other excessive
behavior issues in the classroom (this re-starts every new nine weeks).
Evaluation
Chapter outlines will be completed for each chapter that will be assessed on a chapter quiz.
Some chapters may be combined/thinned out depending on time and other circumstances. A
template of how chapter outlines are to be completed will be available in the OneNote class
notebook. Outlines will be produced using a combination of media (some outlines will be turned
in through OneNote, others as a handwritten hard copy).
There will be a Chapter Quiz after the conclusion of each chapter. Some chapters may be
combined/thinned out depending on time and other circumstances. Chapter quizzes are meant to
assess basic understanding of key terms and ideas of main concepts. The quiz will be completed
in a 25 minute allotted time frame and the format will consist of ONLY multiple choice
questions (15 20 questions for each quiz).
There will be a Unit Exam after the conclusion of each unit. Some units may be
combined/thinned out depending on time and other circumstances. Unit exams are meant to
assess connections made from prior learning and applications of key terms and main concepts.
The unit exam will be completed in a 45 60 minute allotted time frame and the format will
consist of multiple choice questions, two short free-response questions, and one long free
response question.
Taking the AP Exam is the main component of this class, therefore I am assuming that you have
enrolled in this class with every intention to take the AP exam. I require that you attend at least
THREE AP review sessions in order to give you the best odds going into the AP exam.
**Note: a broad outline of chapters & units being assessed can be found on the last page of the
syllabi**
Current Events
You are expected to keep up with current events happening within the United States. By the end
of each nine weeks you will have a total of ten current events that will be completed in your
OneNote class notebook. The format to follow for each current event is as followed: summarize
the news story and relate the story to macroeconomics (any topic that has already been
discussed/
will be discussed throughout the semester), each event must have occurred within the past
year, be
titled (use the news story headline), must be AT LEAST 200 words (10 point deduction =
190
words or less, 15 point deduction = 180 words or less, 20 point deduction = 170 words or less,
etc.), and will be cited in APA format. You may ONLY use news stories that are located within
the Gale Database: Infotrac Newsstand (Gale Database can be found on the school laptop
desktop as a shortcut or huskylibrary.com). Be advised that although all 10 events are due at the
end of the nine weeks, shorter deadlines will be given to check progress).

Turning in assignments:
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date given by the teacher.
Unless otherwise instructed by the teacher, assignments will be turned in at the assignment slot
for the appropriate class period (under the flower pot). Once your assignment has been turned in,
you are NOT allowed to take back the assignment for any reason. It will be viewed as plagiarism
if you get your, or anyone elses, paper out of the assignment slot. It is YOUR responsibility to
put your name, and any other information specified, before you turn in your assignment. If the
assignment is missing your name, a title, date, period, or was placed in the wrong slot, there will
be a flat 5 point deduction.
Absences: A student who was absent must ask for any missed assignments before class, after
school, through email, or during lunch, NOT during class time! This should be done on the first
day of the return from the absence. In order to receive full credit for the assignment the student
must turn in the assignment the following day. If the assignment had a planned due date (i.e.
project date that has been outlined in advanced) the assignment will remain due on the date in
which was assigned. In the case of a school related activity, when the student knows they will
be out, all assignments should be picked up beforehand (you can get this assignment in person
or email) and will be due the day they return to class. When obtaining work from the absence
date, you will sign the Make-Up Work form.
Late work: Assignments not turned in on the due date will be considered late; 11 points will
be deducted from the assignment for each DAY the assignment is late. Be aware that after
the THIRD day, assignments can no longer be turned in and it is likely that parent contact
will be made.
Re-do Assignments: In the event that the student has a failing grade, there will be an opportunity
to re-do the assignment. Reasonable opportunity to re-do assignments is as followed: re-do
assignments may not be the EXACT assignment that was first given, however it will be
addressing the same standards/skills. Re-do assignments will ONLY be distributed in the
classroom during tutoring hours or during an appointment time made by the student. If there is
notion that re-do assignments are not being utilized as a tool for re-teaching or enrichment,
administration and parent contact will be made. If plagiarism has occurred, there will be no
opportunity to re-do the assignment.
**Note: Policies may change in accordance with district policy. If for any reason you feel that
you are unable to meet a specific deadline it is the students responsibility to let the teacher
know about any issues that may arise. Remember, I am here for YOU!**
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are not permitted in this class for entertainment purposes. Any and all
technology (cell phones, iPad, laptops, etc.) can only be used when given permission by the
teacher. Upon entering class, make sure to observe the Technology Traffic Light to view your
ability to use technology for the day, also be sure and place your cellphone on silent mode, do
not just put on vibrate! Do not ask if you can answer a phone call, text your parents, etc., your
guardians know where you are and will contact the school office if there is an emergency.

If a student is caught using a cell phone, iPod or any other electronic device for any purpose
other than the ones stated above, the following consequences are listed:
Offense #1 - Verbal Warning and/or suspension (not confiscation) of technology privileges
Offense #2 - Phone call home and/or written e-mail warning
Offense #3 - Conference with parents/ legal guardian
Offense #4 - Referral to the Assistant Principal for possible disciplinary action such as:
Confiscation of Student laptop and/or BYOD (my personal iPad, Cell Phone, etc.) Suspension
from school (ISS/OSS/AEP). Failure to turn over such device will result in a 3 day suspension.
According to Texas Education Code 37.082(b) (2) a parent or guardian may obtain the release
of the device for a fee of $15.00 as authorized by law. (Chapin High School Student Code of
Conduct)

1.

Class Rules:
Be on time! (If you are tardy, sign the tardy board that is posted as you enter the room)
Every student is expected to arrive to class on time and be prepared to learn. A student
is considered tardy if he/she is not inside the classroom when the bell rings. Chapin High
Schools progressive tardy policy is as follows:
3rd Tardy per class: Detention with the teacher from 3:55 - 4:25
6th Tardy per class: ISS
9th Tardy per class: OSS
12th Tardy per class: AEP
Students have 24 hours to serve detention. It is the students responsibility to report to
detention on the assigned date and time. Parents will be notified by the teacher when the
student has been assigned detention. Failure to serve detention will result in a one-hour
detention slip, failure to serve one-hour detention results in a Discipline Referral from
Administration. (Chapin High School Student Code of Conduct)
2. Be prepared with materials before the tardy bell rings!
You will not be able to leave the classroom to get materials from your locker, etc. If proper
materials are not brought to class, in certain circumstances, you will be given an additional
assignment to what is being done in class. Thus, you will need to turn in the additional
assignment plus having to complete the class assignment on your own time.
3. Absolutely no profanity will be tolerated in the classroom!
This includes, but is not limited to curse words, vulgarity, etc. Offense #1 verbal warning,
Offense #2 points deducted from assignment Offense #3 Phone call/email home, Offense
#4 Discipline referral
4. Be respectful of your environment: your teacher, classmates, other peoples
belongings, and your classroom!
There will be no eating in the classroom, drinks are allowed as long as the container has a
lid and any trash is thrown away before you leave the classroom. We have individuals
whose job is to clean and maintain the classroom, however that does not mean their job is
to clean up after you. You are expected to throw away any trash before you leave the
classroom, put all textbooks away properly, take all of your belongings before your leave
the classroom, etc. Students will be responsible and strictly accountable for any damage
done to desks, furniture, books, lockers, or any of the school building. Graffiti of school
property is considered a felony and will be treated as such. Any markings on desks,

restrooms, lockers, books or the building will be treated as a felony criminal action and
police will be notified. Damages will be paid for by the student. (Chapin High School
Student Code of Conduct)
5. No plagiarism or cheating will be tolerated!
Plagiarizing/cheating constitutes as the following but NOT LIMITED TOO: glancing or
taking another persons paper with or without consent, sending classmates answers through
pictures taken on the phone or sent through email, taking turned in papers from the
assignment box, speaking during a quiz/exam when instructed not to, etc. Any parties
involved in plagiarizing/cheating will receive the grade of a 3 on the assignment; this grade
will remain in the gradebook for the nine weeks and could potentially lower the students
overall grade significantly. Although a grade of a 3 may seem excessive, this grade is a
symbol that displays if a student is eligible to redeem hall passes and is a sign of precaution
for more severe actions that will take place if the issue continues. Along with the grade, if
cheating/plagiarizing has occurred, there will be a phone call home, a recommendation for
the student to be taken out of the course, and administration will be notified immediately.
Wikipedia is a source that will NEVER be used in this class. Be forewarned that
EVERYTHING will be cited in this class in APA format. Also keep in mind: In addition
to the academic consequences, academic dishonesty can also jeopardize a students
standing in the Pre- Engineering Magnet Program as well as Captain John L. Chapin
Chapter of the National Honor Society. (Chapin High School Student Code of Conduct)
6. Follow all school rules!
What can you expect from your teacher?
Accessibility, flexibility, and respect! I am here for YOU! If there are any circumstances I
need to know about, please do not hesitate to tell me. The best thing for you to do is to
keep in contact with me through email. In addition, I am available every day after school
until 4:30 pm (unless a faculty meeting is scheduled). My tutoring days/hours are
TUESDAY and THURSDAY from 4:30pm 5:30pm or by appointment. If you plan on
coming in during lunch or after school, try to let me know ahead of time to ensure that I
will be in my classroom. We will be using the Remind 101 system so that I can send
reminders of important due dates, EVERYONE will participate in this system (text
message or email). Again, if any issues come about throughout the year, let me know and
we will work through it!

Curriculum Outline
UNIT 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS (4 weeks)
Topic I: Basic Economic Concepts
A. Scarcity
B. Opportunity Cost
C. Production Possibilities
D. Specialization and Comparative Advantage
E. Functions of Any Economic System
Topic II: Demand, Supply, and Price Determination
A. Demand
B. Supply
C. Equilibrium Price and Quantity
UNIT 2: MEASUREMENT OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE (4 weeks)
Topic I: Gross Domestic Product and National Income Concepts
A. Measuring GDP, Four-Sector Circular Flow Model, and Flow vs. Stock
Topic II: Unemployment and Business Cycles
A. The Roller Coaster: The four phases of the business cycle
B. Total Spending and How It Affects the Business Cycle
C. Unemployment
D. Problems with the Unemployment Rate
E. Types of Unemployment
F. Full Employment
G. The GDP Gap
Topic III: Inflation
A. The Meaning and Measurement of Inflation
B. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and How It Is Computed
C. Problems with the CPI
D. Other Indexes: Producer Price Index
E. Consequences of Inflation
F. Demand-Pull and Cost-Push Inflation
UNIT 3: MACROECONOMIC THEORY AND POLICY (6 weeks)
Topic I: The Classical Theory and the Keynesian Theory: An Introduction
A. The Role of the Consumption Function
B. Marginal Propensities to Consume and Save
C. Why the Consumption Function Shifts and How It Affects Aggregate Demand
D. The Role of the Investment Function
E. Why Is Investment Demand Unstable?
F. Investment as an Autonomous Expenditure
G. Graphing the Aggregate Expenditure Function
Topic II: Keynesian Model in Action
A. Government Spending and How It Affects Aggregate Demand
B. Adding International Trade to the Aggregate Expenditure Model
C. The Spending Multiplier

D. Recessionary and Inflationary Gaps

Topic III: Aggregate Demand & Supply; National Income & Price Determination
A. Aggregate Demand Curve
B. Nonprice-Level Determinants of Aggregate Demand
C. Aggregate Supply Curve
D. Nonprice-Level Determinants of Aggregate Supply
E. Macroeconomic equilibrium
Topic IV: Fiscal Policy/Public Sector
A. Discretionary Fiscal Policy
B. Supply-Side Policies
C. Laffer Curve
D. Government Size and Growth
E. Types of Taxation
F. Federal Deficits and the National Debt
Topic V: Money, Banking, the Financial Sector, and Monetary Policy
A. Three Functions of Money
B. What Stands Behind the U.S. Dollar?
C. The Three Money Supply Definitions
D. Financial Assets: Money, Stocks, Bonds
E. The Federal Reserve System (FED)
F. The Money Multiplier
G. Monetary Policy Shortcomings
H. Monetary Policy
Topic VI: The Phillips Curve and Expectations Theory
A. What Is the Phillips Curve?
B. Rational Expectations Theory
UNIT 4: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY (1 week)
Topic I: Raising Productivity: Real Output and Capital Formation
A. Human Capital Formation
B. Physical Capital Accumulation
C. Research and Development, Technological Progress
D. Public Policy and Long-Run Economic Growth
UNIT 5: THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY (3 weeks)
Topic I: International Trade and Finance
A. Why Nations Trade at All
B. Comparative and Absolute Advantage
C. Free Trade vs. Protectionism
D. The Balance of Payments
E. Exchange Rates
Topic II: Comparative Economic Systems
A. Basic Types of Economic Systems
B. Comparing Developed and Developing Countries