Principles of Economics II (Macro) 36-207 Syllabus

36-207, PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS II (MACRO)
SYLLABUS FOR SPRING 2004

INSTRUCTOR: Lee J. Van Scyoc
OFFICE: Swart 208
OFFICE PHONE: 424-7153
OFFICE HOURS: 9-10 a.m. MTWRF; (and by appointment)

REQUIRED Principles of MacroEconomics, Frank & Bernanke, 2nd Edition.
MATERIALS: Study Guide.

COURSE Completion of 67-108 or 67-204 or 67-171 with a grade of "C"
or higher;
PREREQUISITES: or, for freshman students, qualification for enrollment in
67-171 at the time of their admission to the University.

I. Course Objectives

A. The broad objective of this course is to provide you with the
concepts and "tools" needed to understand the operation of the
American economy. To look at problems like unemployment,
inflation, and economic growth.

B. The subject matter can be divided into four main categories:

1. An introduction to economics and some basic tools.
2. National Income and Fiscal Policy.
3. Money and Banking and Monetary Policy.
4. International Economics.

C. For a detailed listing of course and chapter objectives, see the
first page of each chapter in your study guide.

II. Evaluation and Grading

A. Examinations
1. There will be four examinations during the semester. Each
will consist of 50 multiple choice questions covering
materials presented in class lecture and the assigned
chapters in the textbook. (See assignment section for
tentative dates of examinations.)

2. Examinations cannot be made up, except under the following
condition: You must present a written excuse proving
illness or a serious family emergency within 1 working day
after the exam was given to be eligible to take a make-up
exam. All make-up exams will be given during the last week
of the semester; consult with the instructor as to time,
form, and content.

3. Exact cutoff points for the final grade in the course cannot
be determined until the end of the semester because
standards on exams may vary somewhat. However, the
following is a fairly accurate guideline for determining the
final course grade (there are 200 maximum points available):

A = 180 total points
AB = 175 total points
B = 160 total points
BC = 155 total points
C = 130 total points
CD = 120 total points
D = 110 total points

4. Extra credit will be given for handing in homework projects.
One point for each assignment. Due dates will be given in
class. No late assignments will be accepted under any
conditions.

III. Additional Important Information

A. Do all the work assigned regularly to maximize your grade.
Economics is not a subject most people can easily grasp by simply
reading the textbook, and "cramming" before exams rarely works.
You need to do all the work assigned regularly week by week.
Ignoring the student guide and the computer simulations is a high
risk decision. Very few people can earn the grade they are
capable of without doing all the work.

B. Attendance. Regular class attendance is expected of all
students. Attendance records will be kept to further evaluate
those students who have a "borderline" grade at the end of the
semester.

C. How to use the student guide. Do all matching, fill-in,
true/false, unlimited multiple choice, and problem items for each
chapter immediately after you have read the chapter. Leave the
standard multiple-choice questions until you are reviewing for
the upcoming examination - as a group, they become a sample exam.

D. Lectures and Readings. I will not lecture on all chapters or
chapter topics. This does not mean you are not responsible for
topics not discussed. If the reading is assigned, you are
responsible for it - follow the objectives carefully! Likewise,
at times (especially in the second half of the semester) I will
discuss topics not in the book or only briefly mentioned in it.
You are also responsible on exams for any of these extra topics
discussed in lecture.

IV. Course Schedule

Although I cannot guarantee strict adherence to the following
schedule, I will make every effort to do so.
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Week #1 - Feb 2
Topics: Introduction to the course and economics.
Readings: Chapters 1 and 2
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapters 1 and 2
B. Optional material following Chapter 1 if you
are uncomfortable with graphs and graphing
(Appendix).
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Week #2 - Feb 9
Topics: Supply and Demand.
Readings: Chapter 3
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week #3 - Feb 16
Topics: Private and Public Sectors and Global Economy.
Readings: Chapter 4
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 4
B. FIRST EXAMINATION
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Week #4 - Feb 23
Topics: GDP and Instability.
Readings: Chapter 5 and 6
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapters 5 and 6
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Week #5 - Mar 1
Topics: Global Economic Growth.
Readings: Chapter 7
Activities: A. Return examinations.
B. Student Guide, Chapter 7
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Week #6 - Mar 8
Topics: Real GDP and Price Level in Long Run
Readings: Chapter 8
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 8
B. SECOND EXAMINATION
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Week #7 - Mar 22
Topics: Savings and Capital.
Readings: Chapter 9
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 9
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Week #8 - Mar 29
Topics: Monetary Policy.
Readings: Chapter 10 and 11
Activities: A. Return examinations.
B. Student Guide, Chapter 10 and 11
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Week #9 - Apr 5
Topics: Short-Run Fluctuations.
Readings: Chapter 12
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 12
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Week #10 - Apr 12
Topics: Spending in S/R.
Readings: Chapter 13
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 13
B. THIRD EXAMINATION
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Week #11 - Apr 19
Topics: Monetary Policy in S/R
Readings: Chapter 14
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 14
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Week #12 - Apr 26
Topics: Stabilization Policy AD & AS.
Readings: Chapter 15
Activities: A. Return examinations.
B. Student Guide, Chapter 15
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Week #13 - May 3
Topics: International Trade
Readings: Chapters 16
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 16
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Week #14 - May 10
Topics: International Finance
Readings: Chapter 17
Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 17
B. FOURTH EXAMINATION

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Owner of this document is Lee Van Scyoc
This document was last updated Jan. 20, 2004
Send questions or comments to vanscyoc@uwosh.edu