2018-2019 AP Macroeconomics Course Syllabus Instructor: Michele Olejnik About the instructor: I am Michele Olejnik, and this is my 13 th year at Huntsville High School. I hold a bachelor s degree in Political Science from Auburn University, with a dual focus in comparative governments and constitutional law. At Georgia State University, I completed a minor in economics and began work on a bachelor s degree in communications, which I completed at the University of Missouri- St. Louis. Also at UM-St. Louis, I completed the teacher education program, with a focus on history and math. Before coming to HHS, I taught middle school math at Providence K-8, American History at Chaminade-St. Louis, and was a math resource teacher at Confluence Academy, a charter school in St. Louis. Contact information: Email is the most efficient method of contacting me: Michele.olejnik@hsv-k12.org. (Please double check your spelling before you hit send!) I can also be reached by phone, at (256)428-8050, extension 251. Be aware, this is a classroom phone, and during school hours calls will go to voicemail. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday during first half of Power Hour PURPOSE: The purpose of this Advanced Placement (AP) Macroeconomics course is to provide students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the larger economic system. This course will include an analysis of supply and demand, national income and its components, economic indicators, inflation and unemployment, money and banking, stabilization policies, and the United States and its role in the global market. The program is designed to prepare students for college courses by requiring work similar to that of a first year college student. AP MACROECONOMICS EXAM: The AP Macroeconomics exam will be administered at Huntsville High School on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 12:00pm, with the cost of the exam paid by the student to the guidance office. As per current HCS policy, students must take the AP exam in order to receive the added quality points on their GPA and transcript. Students with questions about this policy should see their counselor in the guidance office. REQUIRED TEXT: Ray, Margaret and Anderson, David. Krugman s Economics for AP, Second Edition. New York: Worth Publishers, 2015. This text will be available in e-book format. RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS: Dodge, Eric R. 5 Steps to a 5: AP Microeconomics/Macroeconomics. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. This can be obtained at many bookstores (Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million) or online at amazon.com Welker, Jason. AP Macroeconomics Crash Course. New Jersey: Research and Education Association, 2012. This can be obtained at major bookstores and online via amazon.com. Crash Course Economics videos, found on youtube. These are very good at breaking down some of the difficult concepts into more understandable terms. Mr. Clifford s ACDC Economics videos, found on youtube. He is also very good at explaining concepts. I once had a professor tell me that, if I had trouble understanding a concept, I should visit my library to find something that breaks it down into simpler terms. I should go as simple and watered down as necessary, then build back up from that point. I discovered that he was right, and I recommend this approach to students. With google, Kahn Academy, and a plethora of online resources, students should take the initiative to help themselves learn.
In addition to the textbook, students will be responsible for using canvas and the course calendar to stay abreast of class assignments. I am including the semester calendar, with class topics, reading assignments, and test dates. Students are also encouraged to have a USB thumb drive, a pair of ear buds, and a notebook and writing utensils for note taking purposes. Assignments and grading procedures: In order to fully understand course content, students will need to read assigned modules, actively listen during class discussion, take additional notes, and complete assignments in order to reinforce learning. Assignments are not busy work; they are building blocks designed to help students understand and apply concepts that are covered in class, as well as concepts that are found in the readings. Each activity and assignment gives students another tool for their academic toolbox. In addition, each unit will have a unit test. All assignments and due dates will be listed on the unit calendar, posted on edmodo and in class at the beginning of each unit. Course averages: Nine weeks grades are computed using category percentages. All assignments are graded on a 100 point scale; each grade is weighted based on the type of assignment. HCS has adopted a uniform grading policy: Classwork/ Homework (in-class assignments and collaborative activities that support the course of study) will be weighted as 40% of the nine weeks grade. Summative assessments (tests, quizzes, and major projects that support the course of study) will be weighted as 60% of the nine weeks grade. The semester average is computed per HCS policy. The third nine weeks grade counts as 45% of the final grade, the fourth nine weeks grade counts as 45% of the final grade, and the cumulative semester exam counts as 10% of the final grade. Students who take the AP exam have the option to exempt the final exam; in this case, each nine weeks grade would count as 50% of the final grade. Late work: HCS has adopted a uniform policy regarding late work: If any student does not complete an assignment a 1 will be used as a placeholder in INow. The student has 2 weeks to make up a missing or late assignment. The highest possible grade that can be earned is a 70%. 1 day late=70% 2 days late=65% 3 days late=60% 4 days late=55% 5 days late=50% 6 days late=45% 7 days late=40% 8 days late=35% 9 days late=30% 10 days late=10% Note: The percentages above reflect the highest possible grade that may be earned. If there are any questions about grades, please contact Michele Olejnik at michele.olejnik@hsv-k12.org Make-up work due to excused absences: Students are responsible for making up missed work due to an absence in a timely fashion. Students are responsible for ensuring that absences are coded as absent in inow, as credit may be denied for excessive unexcused absences. Please be aware that 3 unexcused tardies are counted as 1 unexcused absence. I follow the HCS policy regarding makeup work due to absences, which allows students 2 calendar weeks to make up assignments and tests. Tests must be made up during power hour on Tuesday and Thursday.
Test taking procedures: Tests will be given at the conclusion of a unit of study, and are an opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery of material. During these assessments, students will clear their desks of all extra material. Cell phones are not allowed during a test. Students caught cheating will receive a 1 and will be offered the chance to re-take a test over the same material, with a maximum score of 60%. Test re-take policy: Sometimes, students fail to prepare adequately for a test. HCS has encouraged us to give students a second chance to demonstrate mastery of concepts. I offer students the chance to re-take a test on the same material, with a maximum score of 70%. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, I require students to turn in ALL assignments from the unit of study, and to attend Academic Overtime during Power Hour to complete remediation. There is a 2 week deadline for test re-takes, counted from the date a test was administered in class. Classroom rules and etiquette: I will follow all rules and regulations that are outlined in the student handbook that has been adopted by Huntsville City Schools. As a member of our classroom community, I ask everyone work to make sure that our room is a safe and respectful place to learn. In order for this to happen, students should make an effort to arrive to class on time, ready to work, and with a positive attitude. Be respectful of other students and teachers. Cell phones must be placed in the caddy at the front of the room at the beginning of the class. Earbuds must not be in evidence unless we are doing an activity that requires them. Computers are packed away when we are not using them in class. COURSE CONTENT: This AP course includes seven units, as suggested by the AP College Board. Each unit will cover concepts related to Macroeconomics. The units are as follows: Unit One: Basic Economic Concepts (modules 1-9) Time: approximately 8 school days Alabama Course of Study Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Scarcity, opportunity cost, production possibilities curves and comparative advantage Demand and factors shifting the demand schedule Supply and the factors that shift the supply schedule Bringing supply and demand together to determine price Government intervention in price determination Unit Two: Measuring Macroeconomic Performance (modules 10-15) Alabama Course of Study Standards 7, 8 Macroeconomics and the main components of the economy Measuring key economic variables (GDP, inflation, and unemployment) The effects of inflation How unemployment, employment, and labor force participation rate are defined The business cycle
Unit Three: Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply: Fluctuations in Outputs and Prices (modules 16-21) Alabama Course of Study Standard 9 Keynesian model of the economy Investment as a sector of the economy Aggregate demand Short-run aggregate supply AD-AS model compared to Keynesian model Impact of external shocks on AD-AS model LRAS and the PPC Stabilizing the economy using fiscal policy Unit Four: The Financial sector (modules 22-27) Alabama Course of Study Standard 9 Money- properties, functions, and definitions Relationship of money supply to gross domestic policy The Federal Reserve System and other banking institutions The money market and monetary policy Real and nominal interest rates Impact of monetary policy in the short run and the long run Unit Five: Inflation, Unemployment, Long term Growth, and Stabilization Policies (modules 30-40) Alabama course of Study Standards 9, 10, and 11 Monetary Policy and impact on interest rates Long run implications of fiscal policy and debt Money, output, and prices in the long run Types and causes of inflation The Philips curve Historical and Modern views of the macroeconomy Sources of long run economic growth Productivity and sustained growth Monetary and fiscal policy contributions to economic growth Differences among economic theories in the real world Unit Six: International Economics (modules 41-45) Alabama Course of Study Standards 10, 12 Comparative advantage and the PPC Specialization and trade Impact of government intervention on international trade Basic international finance Interaction of domestic stabilization policy and international trade and finance
AP Macroeconomics Syllabus Acknowledgement I have read and understand the requirements of the AP Macroeconomics course at Huntsville High School, as outlined in the course syllabus. I understand that course requirements include reading, writing, and basic graphing. I understand that HCS policy requires me to take the AP Macroeconomics exam on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 in order to receive the extra quality points on my GPA. Daily assignments will be given, and consistent study times should be planned in order to be successful in this course. In order to be successful, I must keep up with my readings and assignments as posted on the class schedule. I realize that textbooks are available online through the Copia app and offline on the hard drive of the school-issued laptop. I am encouraged to obtain the study resources 5 Steps to a 5: Macroeconomics and Crash Course: AP Macroeconomics. I am encouraged to seek out additional resources that will aid me in my own learning I should refrain from unauthorized cell phone and computer use during class time (you tube, tweeting, texting, snapchat, watching streaming movies, playing games, listening to music, etc.). I will follow all HCS rules and procedures in the classroom. Student Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: