FOLSOM CORDOVA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
COURSEEXPECTATIONS
CORDOVAHIGH SCHOOL
2013-2014
COURSE: A.P. Government MR. ARELLANO
Course Description
The IB economics course emphasizes the economic theories of microeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting individuals, firms and markets, and the economic theories of macroeconomics, which deal with economics with economic variables affecting countries, governments and societies. These economic theories are not to be studied in a vacuum – rather, they are to be applied to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development and environmental sustainability.
Text
Tragakes, Ellie. Economics for the IB Diploma, 2nd ed. Cambridge, U.K., Cambridge Press, 2012
Other Materials
Assigned and used in class: articles from current newspapers, such as the Sacramento Bee, Washington Post, New York Times,London Guardianor the Wall Street Journal; news footage and documentaries; numerous Web sites.
Current Events
Students are responsible for keeping up with the daily economic events in the nation and the world. Students will need to skim a major daily newspaper such as the Sacramento Bee, San José Mercury News, New York Times or log into those paper’s websites, listen to radio news program or watch a TV news station such as Fox News, CNN,BBC newsor MSNBC.
Grading and Course Requirements
Grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Each test, quiz, homework assignment, etc., is worth a given number of points according to the quality and level of completion of the work. At the end of the marking period, a grade is determined by dividing the total points possible by points earned.
IB Requirements
In order to receive IB credit, you must past both your External and Internal Assessments. External Assessments - 3 Hourstotal(80%) Paper # 1-extended response- 90 minutes Sec. A – Micro Economics. Sec. B – Macro Economics . Paper # 2 data response– 90 minutes. Sec. A -International economics. Sec. B – Developmental Econonomics. Select one question from a choice of two on both assessments. The Assessment will be given at the end of the school year and graded by IB. The Internal assessment consists of three commentaries each 650-700 words long, based on a news media article, linking economic theory with a real world situation. The commentaries must have as their main focus a different section of the syllabus. The articles may be from a newspaper, journal or the internet but must not be from radio or television broadcasts. This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by IB at the end of the course. Rubric requirements will be explained by the instructor. (20%)
Examinations
Examinations will be given after each unit. Each exam will be timed. All exams will consist of free response analytical questions which will include quantitative and visually presented information (charts and graphs).
MAKE-UPS: If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what assignments you missed. The assignment will still be due on the assigned due date. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, it will be due the day you return to class and will only be accepted if your absence is excused at the time you return to class. Any class materials handed out during an absence may be obtained from the teacher the day the student returns to class but their absence must be excused at that time. All projects are due at the beginning of class on the date they are due. Any exceptions to this policy must be cleared by the teacher in advance. NO OTHER LATE WORK WILL BEACCEPTED!
MATERIALS: Students are to bring their textbook, binder with lined paper ,calculator, pen and pencil to class each day. Failure to be prepared for class will result in loss of participation points.
Students who wish to discuss any class related issues are invited to stop by after class to do so. Parents who wish to contact me concerning class issues can leave a phone message. My phone number is 294-2450 ext. 810334. My e-mail is .
Course Plan – Readingsand Assignments
Unit One
Microeconomics
Week One – The Foundations of Economics
Tragakes – Chapter One
Week Two – Competitive Markets: Demand and Supply
Tragakes – Chapter Two, Sec. 2.1-2.3.
Week Three -Competitive Markets: Demand and Supply Cont.
Tragakes- Chapter Two- Sec. 2.4-2.6.
Week Four – Elasticity
Tragakes – Chapter Three, Sec. 3.1-3.2.
Week Five- Elasticity Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Three, Sec. 3-3-3.4.
Week Six – Government Intervention
Tragakes – Chapter Four
Week Seven –Market Failure
Tragakes – Chapter Five , Sec.5.1-5.6
EXAM
Week Eight – Internal Assessments #1
Terminology, Criteria, Structure
Week Nine – Internal Assessments Cont.
Research & Writing
Unit Two
Macroeconomics
Week Ten – Overall Economic Activity
Tragakes – Chapter Eight, Sec.8.1-8.2
Week Eleven - Overall Economic Activity Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Eight, Sec. 8.3-8.4
Week Twelve – Aggregate Demand and Supply
Tragakes – Chapter Nine, Sec.9.1-9.4
Week Thirteen -Aggregate Demand and Supply Cont
Tragakes – Chapter Nine, Sec.9.5-9.8.
Week Fourteen –Macroeconomics Objectives
Tragakes – Chapter Ten
Week Fifteen - Macroeconomics Objectives Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Eleven
Week Sixteen- Demand Side & Supply Side Policies
Tragakes – Chapter Twelve,Sec..12.1-12.3.
Week Seventeen - Demand Side & Supply Side Policies Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Twelve, Sec. 12.4-12.5.
EXAM
Week Eighteen -Internal Assessments #2
Research & Writing
End of Semester
Unit Three
International Economics
Week One –International Trade
Tragakes – Chapter Thirteen, Sec.13.1-13-3,
Week Two – International Trade Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Thirteen, Sec.13.4-13.5.
Week Three – Exchange Rates & Balance of Payments
Tragakes – Chapter Fourteen, Sec.14.1-14.3
Week Four-Exchange Rates & Balance of Payments Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Fourteen, Sec.14.4-14.6
Week Five – Economic Intergration
Tragakes – Chapter Fifteen
EXAM
Week Six - Internal Assessments #3
Research & Writing
Unit Four
Developmental Economics
Week Seven –Economic Development
Tragakes – Chapter Sixteen
Week Eight – Topics in Economic Development
Tragakes – Chapter Seventeen- Sec.17-1
Week Nine -Topics in Economic Development Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Seventeen- Sec.17.2-17.3.
Week Ten- Foreign Sources of Finance and Foreign Debt
Tragakes – Chapter Eighteen – Sec.18.1-18.2.
Week Eleven- Foreign Sources of Finance and Foreign Debt Cont.
Tragakes – Chapter Eighteen – Sec. 18.3-18.5
Week Twelve – Consequences of Economic Growth
Tragakes – Chapter Nineteen
Week Thirteen – Review
Week Fourteen – Practice Prompts
Week Fifteen – IB External Assessments
Week Sixteen – Personal Finance - Credit
Economics: Today & Tomorrow Chapter Four
Week Seventeen – Investing & Savings
Economics: Today & Tomorrow Chapter Four
Week Eighteen - Finals
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