Principles of Macroeconomics Syllabus
(Econ 2301, Sect. 35142)
Summer 2009
Instructor:
Office Hour: by appointment Phone: (512) 223-1795 ext. 26376
Course Description
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of
Macroeconomics used by people as economic researchers, policy-makers and
corporate executives. Key
elements include the study of scarcity, supply and demand, market structures,
the role of government, national income determination, money and the role of
financial institutions, and trade.
Classroom Rules
Students will treat everyone with respect.
When the teacher is talking, the students will not speak
Students must ask permission to leave the classroom.
Textbook
N. Gregory Mankiw, Principles of Macroeconomics,
5th edition, South-Western, 2008, ISBN # 0-324-59131-4
Evaluation
8 Assignments full
points = 240, 3 questions each assignment, each question = 10
1 Final Exam full points = 360, 90 multiple choice questions, each
question = 4
Total possible maximum points = 600
The final grade will be: A
= 510 600 points
B = 420
509 points
C = 360
419 points
D = 300
359 points
F = 299
points and below
I
(incompletes are given in rare circumstances and only with instructor approval)
Email notice to the instructor before the Midterm or
Final Exam is required for a make-up exam. All assignment will be distributed in
the class. No make-up assignment will be granted after the class.
Instructional Methodology
Lecture/discussion
Course Rationale
This course is meant to give students insight into the
dynamics of our national economy. The knowledge gained in the course will make
students better informed citizens and allow them to follow the debates over
national economic policy reported in the news media. This course is also a
foundation course that will prepare students to be successful in upper division
finance, marketing, business administration, economics, government, and social
work courses.
Minimum Course Objectives
Students who complete this course will be able to
understand:
unemployment and inflation data and how that
data is collated and computed;
the meaning and components of the National
Income Accounts, especially GDP;
Aggregate Supply, Aggregate Demand model of the
macro-economy;
how a fractional reserve banking system works;
how monetary policy operates, its tools and its
advantages and drawbacks
Academic Honesty
Each student is responsible for maintaining high standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior. In order that each student understands what is (or is not) acceptable behavior, the following guidelines are offered.
Discussions of assignments with other students and members of the faculty is both permitted and encouraged as a constructive educational practice. Students are expected to take their own exams, copying of anothers work and representing it as ones own work is a serious academic offense, and will be treated as such.
Office for Student with Disabilities
It is the policy of University of Austin Community College
that no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of
his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, student Life
program, or activity. Disabled students
may request academic assistance when needed from the Disabled Student Services. Any student who, because of a disabling
condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course
requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make
necessary accommodations. Students
should present appropriate verification from Disabled Student Services.
Attendance / Participation
Attendance and class participation is vital to your education and that
of your classmates. You should come to every class having prepared appropriately.
All students are expected to participate in everyday class discussion, small group
exercises and other activities.
Policy on Incomplete
It is the student who has the responsibility to withdraw
themselves but the instructor reserves the right to withdraw a student, due to
the lack of progress or lack of attendance.
Course Schedule
06/02 Class
Introduction
06/04 Chapter 01 - The Principles of Economics
06/09 Chapter 02 Thinking Like an Economist
06/11 Chapter 04 The Market Forces of Supply and Demand
06/16 Chapter 10 Measuring a Nations Income
06/18 Chapter 11 Measuring the Cost of Living
06/23 Chapter 13 Saving, Investment, and the Financial System
06/25 Chapter 16 The Monetary System
06/30 Chapter 20
Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
07/02 Final
Exam
The
syllabus is subject to change as deemed necessary by the instructor.