Principles of Macroeconomics Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course Information

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Course

ECON-2301-016 Principles of Macroeconomics

Prerequisites

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

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.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Economics, 2nd Edition

by Acemoglu, Laibson, and List

Textbook ISBN: 9780134492063

You will need to purchase a MyEconLab Access Code.

Supplies

Paper, pencil, and calculator.

Student Performance

1. Define economics, including the nature of the economics problem, and identify the fundamental questions concerning economics.
2. Construct a production possibility curve and describe how it illustrates basic economic concepts.
3. List the economic functions of the government. Identify the major kinds of taxes and the major expenditures of federal, state, and local governments.
4. Identify the major elements of the national income accounting system and adjust GNP for changes in the price level.
5. Describe the phases of the business cycle. State the types and costs of inflation and unemployment.
6. Identify the Classical and Keynesian theories of employment.
7. Select appropriate discretionary fiscal and monetary policies to solve the problems of inflation, and unemployment. Identify problems, criticisms, and complications associated with each policy.
8. Describe a Phillips curve, the effect of supply-side shocks on the curve, and two policy options for solving stagflation. 
9. Identify the supply and demand of money, illustrate how banks create money, and describe the structure of the Federal Reserve System. 
10. State the law of comparative advantage and the cases for free trade and for protection. 
11. Describe three international exchange rate systems, the international balance of payments system, and the current U.S. balance of payment problem and possible policy solutions.

By the end of the semester you will be able to satisfactorily complete all the learning objectives listed in the Student Performance/Learning Objectives with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the exams and other assignments administered under the supervision of the instructor.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

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

It is important for you to check the course daily, take good notes, participate in discussion, and complete all assignments in MyEconLab. I will expect you to read the material on your own before beginning assignments. 

 

Grading Criteria

I will determine your final grade with the following:

1. Exams: 40%
2. Writing Assignment: 10%
3. Quizzes in MyEconLab: 25%
4. Homework assignments in MyEconLab: 25%

All quizzes, homework, and exams have strict deadlines. If you submit any work after the deadline, you will receive a zero for that assignment. 

I encourage you to study with a classmate or with a study group. Do not cheat. If you cheat or the work you submit is not your own, you will receive a zero.

Writing Assignment: For your writing assignment you must find an article that interests you and write a 500 word essay about how that article relates to economics. You can write over any topic that you want, but you must use correct grammar and sentence structure to explain how that article relates to 1-2 topics that you have learned in this class. This is worth 10% of your grade and should be emailed to me. You can use the format of your choice. I will be looking for original ideas, and it is encouraged to include graphs that demonstrate your principles (graphs that you draw yourself, in addition to the 500 words.)

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Your final course grade will consist of an average of:

• A = 89.5 and above
• B = 79.5 to 89.4
• C = 69.5 to 79.4
• D = 59.5 to 69.4
• F = 59.4 and below

Attendance

To be successful you must be active in this class. Deadlines will only be flexible for students who are proactive about school excused absences. If you know you are going to be gone, you need to take care of your work beforehand. 

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
January 16:	Spring Courses Begin
January 31:	Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
March 10 - 18:	Spring Break (Amarillo College Closed)
March 30:	Easter Holiday (Amarillo College Closed)
April 20:	Last Day to Withdraw from this Course