9708_y11_sy
Syllabus
Cambridge International A & AS Level Economics Syllabus code 9708
For examination in June and November 2011
Note for Exams Officers: Before making Final Entries, please check availability of the codes for the components and options in the E3 booklet (titled “Procedures for the Submission of Entries”) relevant to the exam session. Please note that component and option codes are subject to change.
Contents
Cambridge International A & AS Level Economics Syllabus code 9708
1. Introduction (2)
1.1 Why choose Cambridge?
1.2 Why choose Cambridge International A & AS Level Economics?
1.3 How can I find out more?
2. Assessment at a glance (4)
3. Syllabus aims and assessment (5)
3.1 Aims
3.2 Assessment objectives
4. Curriculum content (6)
5. Appendix: Resource list (18)
1.1 Why choose Cambridge?
University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is the world’s largest provider of international qualifications. Around 1.5 million students from 150 countries enter Cambridge examinations every year. What makes educators around the world choose Cambridge?
Recognition
A Cambridge International A or AS Level is recognised around the world by schools, universities and employers. The qualifications are accepted as proof of academic ability for entry to universities worldwide. Cambridge International A Levels typically take two years to complete and offer a flexible course of study that gives students the freedom to select subjects that are right for them. Cambridge International
AS Levels often represent the first half of an A Level course but may also be taken as a freestanding qualification. They are accepted in all UK universities and carry half the weighting of an A Level. University course credit and advanced standing is often available for Cambridge International A/AS Levels in countries such as the USA and Canada. Learn more at https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,/recognition.
Support
CIE provides a world-class support service for teachers and exams officers. We offer a wide range of teacher materials to Centres, plus teacher training (online and face-to-face) and student support materials. Exams officers can trust in reliable, efficient administration of exams entry and excellent, personal support from CIE Customer Services. Learn more at https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,/teachers.
Excellence in education
Cambridge qualifications develop successful students. They not only build understanding and knowledge required for progression, but also learning and thinking skills that help students become independent learners and equip them for life.
Not-for-profit, part of the University of Cambridge
CIE is part of Cambridge Assessment, a not-for-profit organisation and part of the University of Cambridge. The needs of teachers and learners are at the core of what we do. CIE invests constantly in improving its qualifications and services. We draw upon education research in developing our qualifications.
1.2 W hy choose Cambridge International A & AS Level
Economics?
Success in Cambridge International A Level & AS Level Economics is accepted by universities and employers as proof of essential knowledge and ability. Successful Cambridge International A & AS Level candidates gain lifelong skills, including:
? the ability to explain and analyse economic issues and arguments
? the ability to evaluate economic information and organise, present and communicate ideas and judgements clearly
? a sound foundation of economic ideas including an introduction to the price system and government intervention, international trade and exchange rates, the measurement of employment and inflation and the causes and consequences of inflation.
1.3 H ow can I find out more?
If you are already a Cambridge Centre
Y ou can make entries for this qualification through your usual channels, e.g. CIE Direct. If you have any queries, please contact us at international@https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,.
If you are not a Cambridge Centre
Y ou can find out how your organisation can become a Cambridge Centre. Email us at
international@https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Cambridge Centre at
https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,.
2. Assessment at a glance Cambridge International A & AS Level Economics Syllabus code 9708
No previous study of the subject is assumed by the syllabus.
Centres and candidates may choose to:
take all Advanced Level (A Level) and Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) components at one exam ?
session, leading to the full A Level qualification (Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4)
?
take the AS Level components (Papers 1 and 2) at one exam session and, having received the AS
qualification, take both A Level components (Papers 3 and 4) at a later session, leading to the full A Level qualification
?
take the AS Level components only (Papers 1 and 2) at one exam session, leading to the AS qualification. Array
Papers 1 and 2 are for both AS Level and A Level candidates. Papers 3 and 4 test the topics in the Supplement, but also require a knowledge and understanding of the topics in the Core.
All question papers are available for examination in both June and November.
3. Syllabus aims and assessment 3.1 Aims
The Cambridge International A & AS Level Economics syllabus aims to:
?
provide a basis of factual knowledge of economics
?
encourage the student to develop:
?
a facility for self-expression, not only in writing but also in using additional aids, such as statistics
and diagrams, where appropriate
the habit of using works of reference as sources of data specific to economics ?
?
the habit of reading critically to gain information about the changing economy we live in ?
an appreciation of the methods of study used by the economist, and of the most effective ways
economic data may be analysed, correlated, discussed and presented.
3.2 Assessment objectives
There are five Assessment Objectives (AOs) for A & AS Level economics. Students are expected to:
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specified content.
AO2: Interpret economic information presented in verbal, numerical or graphical form.
AO3: Explain and analyse economic issues and arguments, using relevant economic concepts, theories and information.
AO4: Evaluate economic information, arguments, proposals and policies, taking into consideration relevant information and theory, and distinguishing facts from hypothetical statements and value judgements. AO5: Organise, present and communicate economic ideas and informed judgements in a clear, logical and appropriate form.
The multiple choice components (Papers 1 and 3) will particularly test Assessment Objectives 1, 2 and 3. The data response part of Papers 2 and 4 will particularly test Assessment Objectives 2 and 3, and to a lesser extent Assessment Objectives 1, 4 and 5.
The essay part of Papers 2 and 4 will particularly test Assessment Objectives 1, 3, 4 and 5, and to a lesser extent Assessment Objective 2.
Candidates for AS Level should study only the Core material.
Candidates for A Level should study both Core and Supplementary topics.
1. Basic economic ideas
1. Basic economic ideas (Core) continues on next page
1. Basic economic ideas (Core) continued
specialisation
standard of deferred payments
store of wealth
tertiary sector
unit of account
value judgement
wants
working capital
2. The price system and the theory of the firm
2. The price system and the theory of the firm (Supplement) continues on next page
2. The price system and the theory of the firm (Supplement) continued
(j) Survival of small firms
Growth of firms
(k) Relationship between elasticity, marginal, average and total revenue for a downward-sloping demand curve
(l) Concepts of firm and industry
(m) Traditional objective of firm – profit maximisation
Normal and abnormal profit
An awareness of other objectives of firm
(n) Different market structures – perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic, competition, oligopoly
Structure of markets as explained by number of buyers and sellers,
nature of product, degree of freedom of entry and nature of
information
markets
Contestable
(o) Conduct of firms – pricing policy and non-price policy, including price discrimination, price leadership models and mutual
interdependence in the case of oligopolies
(p) Performance of firms – in terms of output, profits and efficiency Comparisons with regard to economic efficiency, barriers to entry,
price competition, non-price competition and collusion
3. Government intervention in the price system
4. International Trade
5. Theory and measurement in the macroeconomy
5. Theory and measurement in the macroeconomy (Supplement) continues on next page
5. Theory and measurement in the macroeconomy (Supplement) continued
(e) Aggregate expenditure function (AE)
Meaning, components of AE and their determinants
Income determination using AE-income approach and withdrawal/ injection approach Inflationary and deflationary gaps; full
employment level of income versus equilibrium level of income The
multiplier
Autonomous and induced investment; the accelerator
(f) Shape and determinants of AD
Shape and determinants of AS
Interaction of AD and AS: determination of level of output, prices and employment
(g) Sources of money supply in an open economy (commercial
banks/credit creation, central bank, deficit financing, total
currency flow)
Relationship between money supply, price level and output as explained by the Quantity Theory of Money
(h) The demand for money
Interest rate determination
Liquidity Preference theory and Loanable Funds theory National Debt
net domestic product
net national product
net property income from abroad paradox of thrift precautionary demand for money quality of life
saving
speculative demand for money yield
6. Macroeconomic problems
6. Macroeconomic problems (continued)
7. Macroeconomic policies
5. Appendix: Resource list
T ext books
This is not a list of compulsory texts, but a range of alternatives which teachers may like to choose from.
Internet
Teachers will also find useful material on the following websites:
https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,
https://www.wendangku.net/doc/b218370633.html,