ECON 209: Course Syllabus

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1 Course Title: ECON 209 Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 209: Course Syllabus Instructor: Dr. Perry Burnett Course Description: The course will introduce students to economic reasoning from a macroeconomic perspective. Economic reasoning is a skill in which a framework or model is used to understand and engage in decision-making. While this skill can be useful in most decision-making, the focus will be on choices faced by an economy as a whole (macroeconomics). The course will emphasize a broad-based learning experience while exposing students to the particular perspectives of economics as a social science. The role of government (through policy) will be emphasized. Course Content Objectives: 1. Provide a framework for decision-making. A. You should better understand the decisions you make. B. You should understand some of the issues faced by the economy/society as a whole and the complexities involved in solving them. C. You should understand the role of government in these decisions. 2. Interpret and analyze real-world economic events and issues. A. You should be able to read and understand an article with economic content in sources such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, etc. B. You should be able to formulate and articulate an argument based in economic reasoning for/against current economic/political issues, and to understand how others might logically arrive at a different conclusion. Thus, you should be able to have an intellectual debate on current issues. University Core Curriculum Ways of Knowing-Social Inquiry Category: Students demonstrate an understanding of theoretically grounded social science methodology as a means for examining individual development, social interaction and social behavior in the organization of political, religious, social, and economic groups and institutions. Course Skill Objectives: 1. Analytical Problem Solving 2. Written Communication Contact Information: Dr. Perry A. Burnett Office Location: BE2040 Office Hours: T/R 12pm-1:30pm and by appointment paburnett@usi.edu

2 Textbook (Highly Recommended): Brief Principles of Macroeconomics by Gregory Mankiw 6 th Edition Published by South-Western Cengage Learning. Macroeconomics-Gregory-Mankiw/dp/ Tentative Weekly Content Outline (Textbook Reference Chapters) Note: Other Forms of Reference Will Be Available on the Course Blackboard Website Week 1: Introduction to Economic Reasoning (Chapter 1/Chapter 1) Week 2: Comparative Advantage, Trade and Circular Flow Model (Chapters 2 and 3) Week 3: Gross Domestic Product, Real vs. Nominal (Chapter 5) Week 4: Saving, Investment and the Market for Loanable Funds (Chapter 8) Week 5: Government Deficits/Debt and the Open Economy (Chapter 18) Week 6: The Open Economy (Chapters 13 and 14) Week 7: Economic Growth: The Solow Model (Chapter 20/Blackboard Only (BO)) Week 8: Capital, Population and Technological Growth (BO) Week 9: Economic Growth Issues: Africa, State Budget Cuts, etc. (BO) Week 10: The Monetary System and Inflation (Chapter 12 and 6) Week 11: Aggregate Demand and Supply Model (Chapter 20) Week 12: Fiscal and Monetary Policy (Chapter 15) Week 13: History of Recessions and Policy Evolution (BO) Week 14: Perspectives of The Great Recession (BO) Academic Requirements: There will be three essay evaluations and four Philosophic Arguments. NO MAKEUP EVALUATIONS will be awarded without official documentation (Sanctioned University Event, Medical or Legal) or my written approval prior to evaluation. The evaluations will be based on class material that is supplemented by the textbook; therefore, it is essential to attend class to academically succeed. Class material trumps textbook material. Section Evaluation Date Type Points Section #1 Essay Evaluation 2/15 4 Essays 160 Section #2 Essay Evaluation 3/30 4 Essays 160 Final Essay Evaluation Final Time 8 Essays 320 Philosophic Arguments See Below See Below 40 Each (160 Total) Quiz 1/29 40

3 Grading of Evaluations: Each essay question will be graded on the following scale: 40 : A 40 answer demonstrates that the student has mastered the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by a clear and complete discussion and analysis that includes comprehensive use of all relevant information. If a graph is required, the graph is clear and correctly analyses the concept. Minimal minor errors may be acceptable. 30 : A 30 answer demonstrates that the student has a competent grasp of the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by a clear and mostly complete discussion with basic use of most of the relevant information. If a graph is required, the graph is generally correct with correct basic analysis. Some minor errors and/or a major error may be acceptable. 20 : A 20 answer demonstrates that the student has a minimal understanding of the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by a basic or skeletal discussion and analysis with minimum use of relevant information. If a graph is required, the graph may have significant mistakes, but at least demonstrates coherent logic. Many minor errors and/or or a couple major errors may be acceptable. 10 : A 10 answer demonstrates that the student has insufficient learning of the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by the student revealing some understanding, but not minimal understanding. The student may have applied one section of the major concepts correctly, but lacks overall understanding or completion of the material 0 : A 0 is given when the student fails to demonstrate at least insufficient learning of the concept or material questioned. Minor errors are incorrect details or missing minor information. Major errors are incorrect concepts or missing vital information. Philosophic Arguments The Philosophic arguments will consist of two sections. The first section is a summary of the position. The second section further explains at least 2 ideas you agree with or disagree with and at least two reasons why/why not for each idea. A Reason is an explained principle (personal, moral, political, etc.). Reviews are to be typed 12 font Times New Roman and be at least (this is the minimum) 1000 words, BUT will be graded on QUALITY of the work (see rubric below). Papers are due in class within 10 minutes of class start by class clock. No ed assignments will be accepted. A grading rubric is provided below. Each position argument is worth 40 points (160 points total) Position Due Date Hayek 2/12 Polanyi 2/29 Galbraith 3/21 Market Socialism 4/11

4 Philosophic Argument Rubric: Below Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations Thesis (10 points) Does not contains Thesis Statement or is poor Contains Thesis Statement but is mediocre Contains Accurate Thesis Statement Organization (6 points) organization of source is poor and/or does not follow guidelines organization of source is mediocre and/or does not fully follow guidelines organization of source is excellent and fully follows guidelines Content Quality (Information Concepts) (16 points) Content quality poor (does not capture all key ideas and/or not does not summarize them appropriately ) Content quality good (captures most key ideas and summarizes most of them appropriately) Content quality very good ( captures all key ideas and summarizes all of them appropriately First Idea (4 points) Idea not listed or not explained Idea listed but only one explained reason Idea listed with two explained reasons Second Idea (4 points) Idea not listed or not explained Idea listed but only one explained reason Idea listed with two explained reasons Extra Credit Opportunities: At times throughout the semester, I may award bonus points for other assignments/attendance that I will discuss at the time they are assigned. It is the student s responsibility to get these assignments and complete them on time. Grade Distribution (Out of 840 points) 710 Above (84.5%): A (73.8%): B (54.8%) C (39.3%%): D 329 Below: F Plus grades will be awarded at instructor s discretion. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PERCENT-BASED COURSE. THE PERCENTS ARE USED FOR INFORMATION ONLY. However, you can, at any time in the semester divide the points you have earned over the total points in the class so far to determine your current standing in the course.

5 Class Policies: Attendance: Attendance is expected. Syllabus Agreement Sheet: Students must sign the Syllabus Agreement Sheet to complete the class and receive a grade. Students who do not sign may receive an Incomplete for the course until it is signed. Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated in any form. Cheating includes, but is not limited to copying, plagiarizing, bringing in answers or unauthorized formulas/equations or any other method deemed inappropriate. No group work. Students caught cheating will be subject to the consequences and procedures outlined in the Students Rights and Responsibilities: A Code of Student Behavior: Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: If you have a disability, you are encouraged to register for the disability resources available in the Counseling Center. If you request an accommodation for a disability, early notification to your instructor is essential and you may be required to provide written documentation to support your request. Your instructor will work with you to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform and participate in class. Student Conduct: Behavior that interferes with the learning of other students will result in expulsion from the class period and repeat offences may result in further disciplinary actions. Cell phones should be turned off. Student Health Statement: In compliance with the Vanderburgh County Department of Health, the Indiana Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, students should NOT attend class or any campus gatherings while ill with flu symptoms. Students with flu symptoms will be asked to self isolate in housing or go home. It is very important that individuals avoid spreading the flu to others. Changes to the Syllabus: The syllabus may be changed any time during the semester at the instructor s discretion. If a change occurs, an announcement will be made in class and a new syllabus will posted on Blackboard. It is the student s responsibility to check Blackboard for the current syllabus.

University of Waterloo Department of Economics Economics 102 (Section 006) Introduction to Macroeconomics Winter 2012

University of Waterloo Department of Economics Economics 102 (Section 006) Introduction to Macroeconomics Winter 2012 Instructor: Nafeez Fatima Office: HH 221 Phone: 519-888-4567, ext.36559 E-mail Address: