Unfortunately, recent student scores on the international economics questions of the AP Economics Exams have not been very good compared with those on the other parts of the exams. There is a great deal of speculation as to why students do not perform very well on the international economics questions, but most teachers agree that one cause could be that international economics has most often been left for the last major subject taught in an economics course. As such, international economics does not always receive the attention and emphasis it deserves.

As the College Board Advisor for AP Economics, it is my hope that the pieces in this curriculum module will help teachers rectify the current shortcoming in teaching international economics in economics courses. They should find here interesting and helpful ways to present the material as well as ways to address the topic earlier in their economics courses and then build on that knowledge throughout the course.