Principles of Macroeconomics Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

ECON-2301-006 Principles of Macroeconomics

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH-0303, RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading and math skills

Course Description

An analysis of the economy as a whole including measurement and determination of Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply, national income, inflation and unemployment. Other topics include international trade, economic growth, business cycles, and fiscal policy and monetary policy.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS, Tenth Edition, by Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, and Sharon M. Oster

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

This course is an analytical study of the basic principles of macroeconomics, essential to an understanding of economic issues and policy making in the United States.  The course will also take into consideration the impact of the Global economy on United States policy decisions.  In addition, the course is designed to help students understand the economic system and its impact on them as consumers, workers, taxpayers, and citizens.  The course is an introduction to modern, developed and information economics with an emphasis upon the United States economy.  Topics will include theories of production, exchange and allocation, including fiscal and monetary policies.  Prerequisite:  Passage of or exemption from the Reading Section of a TSI approved test or completion of RDNG 0331 with a grade of C or better.  The outcomes for this course are:

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1. Define Economics, state the nature of the "Economic Problem," and identify the five fundamental Economic questions.
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2. Construct a production possibilities curve and describe how it illustrates basic Economic concepts.
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3. List the economic functions of the Government.  Identify three major kinds of taxes and also the major expenditures of Federal, State, and Local Governments.
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4. Identify the major elements of the National income accounting system and adjust GNP for changes in the price level.
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5. Describe the phases of the business cycle.
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6. State the types of costs of inflation and unemployment.
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7. Identify the Classical and Keynesian Theories of employment and the following related models:  leakages-injections, expenditure-output, and the aggregate demand-aggregate supply model.
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8. Select apprpriate discretionary fiscal and monetary policies to solve the problems of inflation and unemployment; identify problems, criticisms and complications associated with each policy.
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9. Describe a Phillips curve and the effect of supply-side shocks to the economy.
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10. Identify the supply and demand of money, illustrate how banks create money, and describe the structure of the Federal Reserve System.
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11. State the law of comparative advantage and the cases for free trade and for protection.
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12. Describe three international exchange rate systems, the international balance of payments system, and the current United States balance of payments problem and possible policy solutions.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

CHEATING:  Any student caught cheating or turning in another persons work as their own will receive an F for the course.  The student will not be allowed to drop the class even if the drop date has not passed.  Any appeals will have to be taken to the Dean of Instruction.

CELL PHONE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY:  Cell phones and electronic devices in the classroom create a distraction for both students and faculty and may disrupt transmission of lectures to distance education sites.  Cell phones are also considered suspicious during test taking.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  If the student is unable to complete the course, they should officially drop the course at the Registrar's Office.  Withdrawal for nonattendance must be initiated by the student.  Failure to do so will result in a grade of "F".  The last day to drop with a "W" will be NOVEMBER 17, 2015.

DISABILITY STATEMENT:  Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangements to meet course requirements, should contact Accessibility Services at L303, phone number 371-5436, as soon as possible.

Grading Criteria

The course grade will be the average of the two major examinations, and the final.  Each examination will count as 1/3 of the total grade. Should an emergency occur, one major examination may be made up.  The missed examination must be completed by the next scheduled class period, unless special permission is obtained from the instructor in advance.  The final cannot be made up or rescheduled.  If the student has a legitimate reason acceptable to the college, they may apply to the college for an incomplete if they are unable to take the final examination at the scheduled time.  Proper paperwork must be filled out and submitted to the college prior to the final examination.  The instructor reserves the right to subjectively influence the final grade of the student relative to class attendance, student attitude while involved in the class, and student participation in the class. Examinations will be as scheduled in the syllabus unless notice of a change is given by the instructor at least one week in advance.

Grades will be awarded according to the following schedule:

A - 89.5 - 100
B - 79.5 - 89.4
C - 69.5 - 79.4
D - 59.5 - 69.4
F -      0 - 59.4

Attendance

The purpose of class lecture and discussion is to prepare the student and help them to comprehend economics.  Attendance is essential for maximum progress and understanding of the subject matter.  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class in accordance with the following requirements:

The student is expected to attend all classes unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. You have to be present to learn.  ALL students are expected to be in their seats ready to take notes at the scheduled start time for class.  If you are tardy, you must go to the front desk and talk to whomever is designated.  If you have a valid excuse, they will let you into the classroom.  If you leave class for any reason after class has started, you will have to follow the same procedure as the tardy student in order to get back into the classroom.  Students are responsible for ALL information missed.  Class will start precisely at the scheduled start time and end at the scheduled end time.

Assignments and tests are as listed in the enclosed syllabus unless changed one week in advance by the instructor. All reading assignments should be completed prior to assigned examination dates. It is recommended, but not required, that the student record lectures in order to facilitate their preparation for examinations. The student is responsible for all information covered. If the student misses a class it is their responsibility to make arrangement to acquire the missed information. Roll will be taken at the beginning and end of each class.  Anyone who does not sign the exit roll will be counted absent for that class.  For every three absences the students final average will be dropped one letter grade.

A student must have no more than three absences.  Students who miss more than the allowed number of absences will be administratively withdrawn.  A student who has been administratively withdrawn due to excessive absences must contact the Dean of Instruction/Chief Academic Officer to petition for reinstatement.  Such permission will be granted only for extenuating circumstances and will require appropriate documentation from the student.

Students will be notified of withdrawal through their student email accounts, so it is imperative that students check email frequently.  Not checking email is not an excuse for missing the deadline to petition for reinstatement.  Students wishing to petition for reinstatement has 48 hours from the time the email is sent notifying the student of administrative withdrawal, excluding weekends and holidays.  Students who do not petition by the deadline WILL NOT be reinstated under any circumstances.

Students will be excused from class without penalty when either representing the College in an approved activity or having an approved reason for not attending.  Reasons for absence must be approved by the instructor, and these exceptions do not relieve the student of the responsibility of making up the missed work as designated.  Excused absences must be documented prior to the class period missed. 

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available