Jordan Neeser

Advanced Economics is a college-level course that introduces learners to the principles that apply to an economic system as well as the functions of individual economic decision-makers. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination. It also develops learners’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. The course also develops learners’ familiarity with the operation of product and factor markets, distributions of income, market failure, and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.

Learners learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts. It is important to note that “college-level” should be taken literally, as learners will earn the equivalent of college credit after a satisfactory score on the end-of-year exams. The first half of the course concerns macroeconomics, and the second half concerns microeconomics. As a result, learners should be prepared for a rigorous, demanding class that is similar to what can be expected at the tertiary level in order to be equipped to take the AP exam for both, separate subjects, equivalent to two college courses spread out over an academic year instead of the typical college semester, which is typically half a year.

The instruction style of the class will be composed of lectures, group discussions, textbook reading, case studies, and project-based simulations.

A successful learner will be able to show passion and interest for a new topic, formulate internal questions and thoughts as they come, pose these questions and thoughts at the appropriate time, become familiar with content through guided practice, and lastly, show an understanding of content via independent practice.

This class is strongly recommended for any learners wishing to know more about business. Economics is such a vast subject that it encompasses many details of the business that people often observe but never have a chance to analyze and discuss professionally. This course will provide that opportunity, with an experienced teacher to guide learners along the way.

This course is comprised of one AP course and one AP exam, like a standard AP class, in contrast to Econ 5003, which has both Macro and Micro in the same year. According to the AP framework, there are six basic units to cover in macroeconomics. The course is divided into six units, with each unit focusing on economics on a macro, larger level rather than individual people or businesses. Such topics of study include Gross Domestic Product, price levels, financial assets, basic accounting, government economic policy, and more. Each unit aligns with the primary textbook, Krugman’s Economics for the AP Course, 4th Edition, where learners can enrich the knowledge from class in detail. Throughout the course, learners will be instructed in economic theory, as well as the creation, interpretation, and application of proper economic models and graphs. Completing all course components should result in learners being prepared to complete the Advanced Placement Exam I in May. Driving questions include: 1. How does the role of a government determine what products are provided for the public? 2. What is the relationship between inflation and unemployment? By the end of the course, learners will be able to create a presentation with graphical and written evidence discussing such topics as how/why capital leaves or enters certain countries, how currency changes in value over time, and what impact inflation has in the long run.