West Mesa High School

6701 Fortuna Road NW

Albuquerque, NM 87121

Teacher: Luisa Castillo Website: http://castilloshistorypage.weebly.com

Room: E-112 Email: Castillo_l@aps.edu (email preferred)
Course: Bilingual AP Microeconomics Voicemail: 505-831-6993 ext. 57485

Required Materials
 Required textbooks
 2- 70 count college ruled spiral notebooks in required color
 2 pocket folders in same required color
 College ruled loose leaf paper
 Colored and regular pencils
 Red, black and blue pens
 2- inch binder in same required color
 Kleenex two large boxes (Gentlemen)
 Clorox Wipes one large container (Ladies)
 Highlighters
 Glue sticks
o Please note: supplies should be replenished throughout the year

Standards addressed in this course

State of New Mexico Benchmarks and Standards
Common Core State Standards

Course content

Welcome to Bilingual AP Microeconomics. This course is an intensive study designed to be a rigorous study of
Microeconomics which will include certain aspects of Macroeconomics as well. The curriculum for AP Economics will
include a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of the individual decision
makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and
functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and the role of the government in promoting a
greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students will be expected to learn this with a strong emphasis on current
events and the practical implementation of economic decisions and policies. Please remember that this is an Advanced
Placement class and will be taught as such. Advanced Placement classes are designed for college freshmen. Students
who take their work seriously and do well should expect to take the AP Exam in May. Many assignments, presentations
and classroom discussions will be conducted in Spanish to incorporate the bilingual portion of this course. This class may
be applied to the APS Bilingual Seal. Lastly, economics is a required course for graduation.

Texts and Resources

1. Margaret Ray, David Anderson, Paul Krugman and Robin Wells. Krugman’s Microeconomics for AP* 5th Eds,
New York: Worth Publishers Inc., 2012.David A. Anderson.
2. Economics by Example. New York: Worth Publishers Inc., 2007.
3. Supplementary resources from the Federal Reserve
4. AP Central College Board, Teachers Resource Section: www.apcentral.collegeboard.com
5. National Council on Economic Education: www.ncee.net
6. Resources for Economics on the Internet: www.rfe.org

Goals

The purpose of an AP course in Microeconomics is to provide a complete understanding of the principles of economics
that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic
system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor
markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. This course examines
the economic system as a whole. Economics doesn’t simply appear in books or lurk in bank vaults. Rather economics
exists in the clothing you wear, the food you consume, and the politics of your nation, essentially it is everywhere and
anywhere, it is real life! Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stated, “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s
thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” By blending theory, facts, relevant contemporary issues, and
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opportunities to act upon your knowledge, you will have the tools necessary to become a knowledge member of the
American economy.

Critical Questions and Skills

A number of critical questions will stimulate this course. We won’t answer every question, but our engagement of the
questions will lead us to knowledge and insight. These are a few critical questions to direct our inquiry:
 Is the global economic system a necessary evil?
 How does fiscal and monetary policy affect the market economy?
 Are the government economic policies in the best interests of the American public?
 Does needs versus wants determine, what and how legal and illegal items are produced?
 Can consumers truly change the economy positively or negatively?

After completion of this course, you will be able to:

 Carry on a rationally persuasive economic conversation
 Understand important contemporary political trends in relation to our nation’s economy
 Have a critical comprehension of the components needed in our economic system
 Understand the process to effectively interact with your government
 Interpret economic charts and data
 Comprehend your actions, rights and responsibilities as an economic consumer

The following themes will be presented in AP Microeconomics

1. Basic Economic Concepts
2. The Nature and Functions of Product Markets
3. Factor Markets
4. Market Failure and the Role of the Government

Unit One: Basic Economic Concepts

Students will explore the nuts and bolts of economics, microeconomics versus macroeconomics, and economic decision
making. We will read excerpts from the textbooks, Wall Street Journal and Federal Reserve. Students will examine the
nature of the consequences of decision making, scarcity and opportunity costs. Additionally, they will compare the
principles production possibilities, absolute advantage, comparative advantage, specialization, and terms of trade to
understand the advantage of each model. We will include contemporary examples to connect relevant theories of the
demand schedule, determinants of demand, individual and market demand curves, supply schedule, determinants of
supply, market equilibrium, shifts in supply and demand with effects on equilibrium price and quantity. The student will
understand many of the factors which influence the global economic system.

Unit Two: The Nature and Functions of Product Markets

In this time of American division students will explore the economical beliefs and landscape of the United States. We will
begin with an examination of supply and demand. Students will also evaluate consumer choices. We will also explore the
reasons and manner in which production and costs are adjusted to affect our society. The student will understand firm and
market structures through profit, perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition and the manner in
which these organizations determine the level of economic activity. Finally, the student will learn how to manipulate data
in order to measure economic performance.

Unit Three: Factor Markets

Students will examine the nature of the factor markets, which demonstrates how changes in the factors of production:
land, labor and capital are traded and lead to other changes. We will then be ready to explore the manner in which these
factor markets, play a crucial role in the economy, through the allocation of productive resources to firms to ensure those
resources are used efficiently.

Unit Four: Market Failure and the Role of the Government

Students will explore the manner in which inefficiencies can arise from externalities, which create conflict between what is
best for the individual or firm versus what is best for a society as a whole. We will then evaluate how the characteristics of
goods often determine whether markets can deliver the goods efficiently. Finally, students will look at the role of the

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government in addressing market failures. Through investigation of a variety of sources of inefficiency students will better
understand the types of policy which can improve the society as a whole.

Unit One Objectives: Basic Economic Concepts

 Krugman’s Microeconomics for AP: Modules 1-4

Unit Two Objectives: The Nature and Functions of Product Markets

 Krugman’s Microeconomics for AP: Modules 5-32

Unit Three Objectives: Factor Markets

Krugman’s Microeconomics for AP: Modules 33-37

Unit Four Objectives: Market Failure and the Role of the Government
 Krugman’s Microeconomics for AP: Modules 38-42

Free Inquiry

This classroom is a place for critical inquiry into vital questions about our political beliefs and values. This class should
stimulate your thinking, respects and affirms your beliefs, and is a safe place for you to share your ideas. It’s my goal to
listen thoughtfully, ask incisive questions, and consider all sides of an issue.

Data Analysis:

Students will examine multiple forms of information including political maps, election results, and public opinion polls
throughout the year.

Current Events:

Students are responsible for reading daily events locally, nationally and globally. They will be encouraged to read, watch,
and listen to different news sources such as the BBC, The Economist, The Atlantic, The New York Times, NPR, CNN and
online sources.

Exams:

Upon the completion of specific units, exams will be administered. At least one week of notification will be given to allow
ample study time. Exams will include multiple-choice questions, data based questions, and free response questions.
Quizzes may also be administered throughout the year for student assessment, understanding and progress. In addition,
projects will be assigned and will reflect major topics presented. Exams will be of my choice. Please form study groups
with peers for this class. Test items will be from the book, handouts, class discussions, notes, movies, and activities.
These exams will be difficult. Study.

Projects
Projects are assignments provided at least two weeks in advance and are due on the date of the assignment. In
emergencies the assignment is due the day of your return from an excused absence. If you are in school but excused
from this class (approved Mustang absence), you must turn in long range assignments on the scheduled due date either
before class, between classes or during lunch in order to avoid late penalties.

Grading Policies and Assessments

I grade on a points system, any student who receives 60% or above of the earned points will pass the course. Standard
grading scale 90+ is A work 80+ B work etcetera. Tests will be 100 points. Large projects will be assigned with rubrics
prior to due date and will be more than 100 points. Homework will vary according to length and difficulty of assignment.
Economics is a requirement for graduation: your child must pass this course to graduate. Parents and students, with
necessary passwords access the school’s grading venue.

Attendance Policy

I will enforce the current APS Attendance policy. If a student exceeds the current guidelines, he or she may be dropped
from the class and will NOT receive credit for the course.
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Academic dishonesty

Any form of academic dishonesty (copying, cheating, and plagiarism) will result in a failing grade and disciplinary action
and possible removal from class.

Homework

Assignments will be given and posted daily on the class website. If a student does not complete assigned class work, the
work will be completed at home. Homework, minor self-checked assignments, will be stamped "on time" only at the
beginning of the period. You should copy answers while we check homework to save as a review, but you will not get
credit for having done your homework. Unfinished homework is not accepted.

Individual and Group Work

Students in my classroom will work as individuals, in pairs and groups. All rules for group work will be discussed prior to
activities. Grades may be given on an individual basis as well as a group basis. It is important for students to learn to work
together in a group setting for future success in life. Individual work is still critical.

Graded Assignments

Graded assignments may NOT be turned in late. You may not work on late homework or assignments instead of the day's
assignment. Attempts to do so will result in a zero for the work. Be prepared. All assignments will be turned in on time or
they will not be accepted.

Make-Up Work (planbook.com)

It is the student’s responsibility to request all make-up assignments. Absent students will need to check the online
planbook website and speak to room captains if you need an explanation. Once you complete this task or need additional
information you may speak to the teacher. In the case of excused absences, you will have two days for each excused
absence not counting the day of your return. Your assignment may be changed, if graded assignments are returned
before yours is turned in, you should ask for an alternate assignment, otherwise you may complete two assignments
instead of one. Work due on the day of an unexcused absence receives a zero.

Extra Credit

My philosophy on extra credit is simple…No extra credit will be given because no extra credit will be needed. However,
students may earn extra points for exceptional work on required assignments.

Classroom Expectations:

1. Respect yourself, others and your environment.

2. Value others opinions and viewpoints.
3. Work together, help each other.
4. Be prompt.
5. Be prepared, with materials, ready to participate.
6. Listen.
7. We learn from our mistakes. Make lots!

Instructor Responsibilities:
1. Understand language development.
2. Provide comprehensible lessons.
3. Implement a variety of learning styles.
4. Provide effective feedback
5. Provide fair grading and discipline.
6. Incorporate students’ languages and cultures where appropriate.
7. Provide after school tutoring.
8. Meet classroom expectations!!!

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Movies

Throughout the semester the students may watch selected content related movies. Generally most content related movies
may be rated R, in these situations parent permission forms will be sent home prior to the showing of any R-rated movie. I
believe that select movies or movie clips in the classroom can greatly benefit students. Please feel free to contact me at
any time regarding the materials and information discussed in the classroom.

Miscellaneous

Additional class information can be accessed in your child’s spiral notebook. Complete classroom newsletters, policies
and relevant information relevant will be provided to your child.

***************************** Students: Place this packet in your Economics Binder *******************************

I read the Bilingual AP Microeconomics syllabus for my child ________________________________________, and

understand the course content, grading policy and class rules. In addition this class may be applied toward the APS

Bilingual Seal. Lastly, I acknowledge that Economics is a graduation requirement and my child must pass this course to

graduate.

Parent/Guardians Name ________________________________

Parent/Guardians Signature ________________________________

Student Signature ________________________________

Date ________________________________