AP Microeconomics Teacher: Mrs. Prout
Course Syllabus Office: 201A
Email: laura.prout@cowetaschools.org
The AP Microeconomics class is a one-semester college level study of how households, businesses, and government make economic decisions. The primary purpose for this course is to prepare students to take an AP Exam administered by the College Board in May and pass the EOCT in November or April. The study of economics can be fascinating, fun, confusing, and frustrating all at the same time! Participation, study, and guided review will prepare the students for the challenging exam. It must be understood at the outset that this AP course is more challenging and time-consuming than a regular high school course. You are using a college text for college level material, and will take college level exams. In addition, this course meets the high school graduation requirement.
Course Outline:
The major units of study are:
Ø I. Basic Economic Concepts
Ø II. The Nature and Functions of Markets
Ø III. Theory of the Business Firm
Ø IV. Factor Market
Ø V. The Government and the Economy
Course Goals:
1. Create an understanding of the economic approach to decision making
2. Introduce the tools and methods economists use for problem solving
3. Develop a basic understanding of markets and market failures
Methods:
- Research Projects
- Daily Assignments
- Lecture
- Cooperative Learning
- Personal Finance
Evaluation:
- Quizzes
- Unit Tests
- Classwork/Homework
- 9 Weeks Comprehensive Exams
- Projects
Textbook: Mankiw, P. Principles of Econmics 3rd Ed. Harvard University: Thomson- South Western, 2004.
Student Expectations
1. You are here to learn. Everything else that we do is secondary to that goal. Behavior that distracts from achieving that goal will not be tolerated.
2. You are expected to be in class on time
3. You should participate in class discussions and contribute to the class goal of learning economics. You should be willing to spend extra time necessary to meet AP course requirements.
4. You should not create negative externalities (i.e. engage in behavior that negatively affects other people, including the instructor).
5. You will treat others in the class with respect
6. You are intelligent student- do not use cursing or profanity
7. You will keep track of your own assignments/grades. The instructor is not a human calculator or gradebook. Grades will be updated as often as possible.
8. You are expected to work with others, but complete your own work.
Consequences
· First time: Warning
· Second time: Mild disciplinary action (Parents called or child sent out of classroom)
· Third time: Referral
Students are also to respect and follow all rules applying to Newnan High school and Coweta County schools. Appropriate consequences will be given when rules are broken (see student handbook).
Grading
Quizzes 20%
Unit Tests 30%
Assignments 15%
Projects 15%
Midterm/ Final 20%
(This is an EOCT class- Therefore all my grades are 85% and the EOCT is 15%)
Personal Finance/Macroeconomics
To enhance the Microeconomic material studied during the semester, there will be Personal Finance/ Macroeconomic Fridays each week. These are to help prepare students for the "real world" as well as prepare students for the EOCT at the end of the semester. Handouts and other activities will be used to confirm student understanding.
Procedures
Start of the Period
When you enter the classroom find your seat and prepare materials for today's class. If there is an assignment to begin, please do so immediately. If a student is not in class by the last bell, they will be considered tardy.
Dismissal at the End of the Period
Remain in your seat until the teacher dismisses class. Failure to follow this will result in the class remaining seated until everyone is settled. Do not pack your things until directed by the teacher.
Make-up and Late Work
This is your responsibility. Ask to see a fellow student's assignment book and write down the assignments for the days you missed. Pick up any make up work from the appropriate file. When make up work is completed, please return work to the file. Remember, absent work is late if it is turned in five days after you return to school. If there are any special circumstances or you need more instruction on a missed assignment, please confer with the teacher. Discuss with the teacher the retaking of tests or quizzes. The teacher cannot always remind you! This is your responsibility!
Keeping a Notebook
Every student is required to keep a separate notebook for this class. Notebooks should be separated into sections including:
· Notes
· AP Microeconomic Handouts
· Personal Finance/Macroeconomic Handouts
· Project Rubrics
· Test/ Quizzes
Syllabus should be displayed at the front of the notebook.
Using the Restroom
Students will sign off on the clipboard stating who they are, where they are going, and the times they left and returned. Students may only leave once in a period unless for an emergency. The teacher may deny restroom privileges at any time. This is a privilege!
Needing Paper or Pencil
Students should first ask another student before requesting paper and pencil from the teacher. Please remember to bring your book, notebook, pencil, and paper everyday to class!
No gel pens may be used- only blue or black ink!!!
Turning in Papers
Homework is turned in at the beginning of the period when requested by the teacher. Pass in all work down vertical rows quietly. Work is late if not turned in when requested by the teacher. There will be NO waiting by the teacher for students to complete work after requesting work to be turned in. If the teacher catches someone copying work, both assignments will be given the grade of ZERO.
All work assigned in class is classwork not homework up until the end of the class!!!
Late Work
All homework/classwork assignments must be turned in the day it is due. NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. No late papers or projects will be accepted! Even if you are out the day a paper/project is due, I still need to have it be the end of the school day (3:30pm). All students participating in group projects must be at school the day the project is turned in.
Projects
Because this is a gifted class, emphasis will be placed on cooperative and project based learning along with traditional learning styles. Projects include:
- Stock Market Game Portfolio
- Marx v. Smith Skit Project
- Fatal Equilibrium
- Book Reading
- Video Project
- Midterm Project
- Entrepreneur Project
Do not be intimidated! These are meant to be fun ways to grow in your knowledge of Economics. These are just a sampling of what we could do; projects are subject to change.
Prout Pounds
As we learn more about basic economic concepts students will have a chance to use what they have learned and be rewarded. There is a monetary system in class called "Prout Pounds". These are in 1 pound denominations and will be given out by the discretion of the teacher (class participation, good test score, etc). Students may earn the following with Prout Pounds:
- One piece of candy = every 2 Prout Pounds
- Free homework assignment Ten points added to quiz grade = 15 Prout Pounds
- Ten points added to quiz grade = 20 Prout Pounds
- Drop lowest quiz grade= 25 Prout Pounds
There will be a Prout Pound store at the end of the semester where you will be able to purchase different items with your left over Prout Pounds
Stock Market Game
Students will participate in GCEE's Stock Market Game ten weeks during the semester. This will give students the chance to apply what they have learned in class to a real life situation. Class will be divided into groups of five. Groups are required to purchase at least three stocks and hold each stock for at least three weeks. Stocks purchased must cost at least $5 and at least 100 shares must be purchased. This will be completed online allowing students to monitor stock transactions at home. Students are asked to complete a Stock Market Game Portfolio individually during the process of the Game. Do not wait until the last minute to complete the Portfolio. Regional (i.e. Coweta County) winners are asked to attend an awards luncheon spring semester. More information on the Game is given out in class.
__________________________________________________________________
I have read and understand this syllabus and class expectations. Please sign and return.
Student signature/date
Parent signature/date
Parent's email address