Honors Economics Spring 2016
Teacher:
Mr. Homa E-mail: dhoma@lgsuhsd.org
Website:
www.davidhoma.com
Description and Objective: A.P. Economics is a college level course designed
to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles of
economics. A.P. Economics will emphasize the study of national income,
economic performance measures, economic growth and international
economics. The aim of A.P. Economics is to provide the student with a
learning experience equivalent to that obtained in a typical college
introduction level economics course. Students will learn to think
like economists – to question, to evaluate marginal costs and marginal
benefits, to explore the many ways that one action will cause secondary
actions. The course will be split into 2 areas of focus in
order to best prepare students for the AP Micro and Macro exams in May.
The textbook provides students with a comprehensive breakdown of
concepts and corresponding percentages of those concepts that they can
expect to see on each individual AP exam. Macroeconomics AP
Macroeconomics is a course designed to provide students with a thorough
understanding of the principles of economics in examining aggregate
economic behavior. Students taking the course can expect to learn how
the measures of economic performance, such as GDP, inflation and
unemployment, are constructed and how to apply them to evaluate the
macroeconomic conditions of an economy. Students will also learn the
basic analytical tools of macroeconomics, primarily the aggregate demand
and aggregate supply model and its application in the analysis and
determination of national income, as well as evaluating the
effectiveness of fiscal policy and monetary policy in promoting economic
growth and stability. Recognizing the global nature of economics,
students will also have ample opportunities to examine the impact of
international trade and international finance on national economies.
Various economic schools of thought are introduced as solutions to
economic problems are considered. Microeconomics Advanced Placement Microeconomics is a course
designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the
principles of economics as they apply to individual decision-making
units, including individual households and firms. Students taking the
course will spend time examining the theory of consumer behavior, the
theory of the firm, and the behavior of profit-maximizing firms under
various market structures. They will evaluate the efficiency of the
outcomes with respect to price, output, consumer surplus, and producer
surplus. Student will have an opportunity to examine the behaviors of
households and businesses in factor markets, and learn how the
determination of factor prices, wages, interest, and rent influence the
distribution of income in a market economy. Students will also consider
instances in which private markets may fail to allocate resources
efficiently and examine various public policy alternatives aimed at
improving the efficiency of private markets.
The text is on my website. Krugman, Paul (2011). Krugman's Economics for AP. New York:Worth Publisher.
Class rules: 1. Follow directions. You are seniors. ‘Nuff said. 2. Always be in the door before the bell rings. If you come in late for any reason quietly sit down and then talk to me after class. 3. All school rules apply in this classroom. 4. No food or drinks (water is permitted). 5. Always have your notebook with you. 6. Always do your own work.
7. Be an active participant in class and your own
education.
In addition: Late papers and Make-up work. No late work will be accepted unless you have an excused absence and you have spoken to me immediately after the absence. You have one day after the absence to speak with me or no work is accepted. Make-up work will be dealt with on a case by case basis. You must come and see me about make-up work. I will not track you down. For any quiz you have two days to make it up. Anytime you have any problems with work PLEASE come talk with me.
Grades: Aeries is the primary way to keep track of your grade. I update grades on a regular basis. You may always speak with me but make sure you have checked Aries and have been keeping track of your grades throughout the semester.
Your grade will be based on the following:
1. Each day one student will start the class with a brief presentation of an economic event occurring within the past four week. Each student will sign up for three presentations during the semester. Be prepared a few days ahead of your due date. I
will give more details in class.
3. Tests will be given over the content we cover in class. I will let you know in advance when tests will be given in class.
4. Spending Journal I will explain this assignment in class. The handout is on my website.
Don’t expect a lot of points in this course. The best way to get a good grade is to participate and do all the required work. The grade you receive is based on points not a percentage. I do not round up points.
If you want to know your grade either keep track of yourself or check Aeries as I keep it updated on a regular basis.
Extra Credit: ex·tra (µk“str…) adj. Abbr. ext., ex., X 1. More than or beyond what is usual, normal, expected, or necessary. See Synonyms at superfluous.
Extra credit is just as the definition implies. I do not give extra credit. From time to time I will add a few questions on an assignment or test but you will not know in advance. Do not ask about extra credit! This means you had better do all your work the first time!
Notebook: 1. Each student must keep a notebook throughout the semester. 2. All items handed out in this class should be kept in your notebook. Keep everything in the order that it has been handed out. 3. Notebooks are to help each person be a better student. Notebooks will not be evaluated on style but organization is very important.
Final note: You are here to learn. I do not give you a grade. The effort you put into this class will give you your grade. Have a great year!
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