| Macroeconomics, AP/GT |
Spring, 2009 (Updated 01-01-09) |
 |
|
|
This second semester of Midland High's AP/GT economics course will attempt to acquaint students with the fundamentals of macroeconomics, which is essentially a study of the economy as a whole or its basic subdivisions or aggregates, such as the government, household, and business sectors. Macroeconomics speaks of such economic measures as total output, total unemployment, total income, aggregate expenditures, and the general level of prices in analyzing various economic problems. No or very little attention is given to specific units making up the various aggregates. Macroeconomics examines the beach, not the sand, rocks, and shells. Further, macroeconomics is one of those subjects about which almost everyone has an opinion (often quite strongly held and even more strongly defended) but where many of those opinions are based on emotion, misunderstanding, ignorance, politics, racism, or some personal agenda. We will attempt to divest ourselves of this baggage and create a model to be used to interpret economic events, problems, and, perhaps most importantly, alleged solutions.
A. This class will be guided by the following assumptions:
1. All assignments will be turned in at the stated time.
2. Students will remain current with all assigned readings.
3. Questions will be asked as necessary to clarify information.
4. All writing assignments will be typed using appropriate style and format.
5. Students will be familiar with all required material, whether presented in class or as a part of the assigned readings.
6. Students will take advantage of all internet and web-related resources associated with this course.
B. Six weeks grades will be based on a weighted average using the following categories and weights:
1. Homework and class work 40%
2. Chapter and unit exams 50%
3. Chapter vocabulary quizzes 10%
Text: McConnell, Campbell R. and Brue, Stanley L. Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies, 15th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Inc., 2002.
This semester, I will use a web site to post practice quizzes. Go to http://hfranks.pageout.net to access this site or use the link found at the bottom of this page. A password is required and will be provided once the semester begins.
You may contact me using the following methods.
Phone, Midland High: 432-689-1167
Phone, home: 432-689-0656
Phone, mobile: 432-413-1575
Fax, Midland High: 432-689-1144
Email: hfranks@esc18.net
|
|
 |
Hugh Franks
Midland Senior High School
Midland, Texas
|
 |
| A society grows great when old men plant trees under whose shade they know they shall never sit. |
 |
|
|
|
Class Highlight |
|
|
Class Calendar |
|
|
Class Work |
|
|
|
|
Advanced Placement Tests
In May, 2009, the College Board offers two advanced placement (AP) tests for economics, one for microeconomics and one for macroeconomics. According to new MISD policy, all students enrolled in an AP course (which includes both of my economics courses) will be required to take appropriate AP tests. More information about this will be forthcoming as the semester progresses.
|
|
|
|
|
Below is a simple summary of the topics covered in this course during the spring semester of 2009. By using the "Downloads for Students" link at the top of this page, you can download a detailed syllabus for this semester's course.
Resource Market, moved from the fall semester of 2008
(Chapters 27 and 28)
National Income, Employment, and Fiscal Policy (Chapters 30, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12)
Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy (Chapters 13, 14, and 15)
International Economics and the World Economy (Chapters 37, 38, and 39)
Long-Run Perspectives and Macroeconomic Issues (Chapters 17 and 18)
Study of Selected Economic Topics (Chapters 31 and 36)
5/7 through 5/18
Review and Semester Exam
|
|
|
|
|
Information pending . . .
|
|
|
