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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #4 - Feb 23 Topics: GDP and Instability. Readings: Chapter 5 and 6 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapters 5 and 6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #5 - Mar 1 Topics: Global Economic Growth. Readings: Chapter 7 Activities: A. Return examinations. B. Student Guide, Chapter 7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #7 - Mar 22 Topics: Savings and Capital. Readings: Chapter 9 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #8 - Mar 29 Topics: Monetary Policy. Readings: Chapter 10 and 11 Activities: A. Return examinations. B. Student Guide, Chapter 10 and 11 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #9 - Apr 5 Topics: Short-Run Fluctuations. Readings: Chapter 12 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #10 - Apr 12 Topics: Spending in S/R. Readings: Chapter 13 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 13 B. THIRD EXAMINATION --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #11 - Apr 19 Topics: Monetary Policy in S/R Readings: Chapter 14 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #12 - Apr 26 Topics: Stabilization Policy AD & AS. Readings: Chapter 15 Activities: A. Return examinations. B. Student Guide, Chapter 15 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #13 - May 3 Topics: International Trade Readings: Chapters 16 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 16 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week #14 - May 10 Topics: International Finance Readings: Chapter 17 Activities: A. Student Guide, Chapter 17 B. FOURTH EXAMINATION
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