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Economics 201 Principles of
Macroeconomics Spring
2005 |
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INSTRUCTOR: |
Dr. Thomas Creahan Office: CB 110K Phone: 783-2740 E-mail: t.creahan@moreheadstate.edu |
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TEXT: |
Brief
Principles of Macroeconomics 3rd Edition, by N. Gregory
Mankiw, 2004. Text web site: http://www.swcollege.com/bef/mankiw/mankiw3e/brief/mankiw3e_brief.html |
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Other
required resources: |
Access to the Internet, a word-processing program, and a printer. |
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Recommended
resources |
A WRITER'S REFERENCE, by Hacker, or similar writer's guide. Study Guide to accompany Brief Principles of Macroeconomics The Wall Street Journal,
The New York Times and other publications with good
coverage of the economy National Public Radio news
5-9 AM and 5-7 PM, WMKY, 90.3 FM |
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Office Hours: |
MWF1 8:30-9:00, 10:20-11:20;
TTh by appointment |
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
ECON
201 is a three credit hour course introducing the principles of
macroeconomics. One version of the
“principles of economics,” compiled by economists and educators, is given on
the instructor’s website. After
successfully completing this course, students will understand and be able to
apply these principles.
Macroeconomics examines aggregate (total or combined) measures of
economic activity: output, employment, and price levels. It’s about the big picture—how
the economy works as a whole. We
will develop and use a simple model of the economy to gain insights into how
these aggregate measures are determined in a market economy, and to learn how
economists work and think. We will
also relate this model to real-world events. You will be actively involved in the learning process, so
not only is attendance essential, but you should arrive for class ready to
participate.
COURSE PROCEDURES AND
REQUIREMENTS:
Each class will normally
include lecture, class discussion, group activities, problem solving, and/or
review of assignments with student participation. Frequent quizzes on assigned
reading will be given. Online
quizzes or other exercises may be given.
You are required to read each assignment by the date due, and be
prepared to discuss it in class.
You are also required to follow economic news, find articles and data on
macroeconomics in the news and on the Internet, and report on them. Group and individual projects will be
assigned. You should plan to participate
in class and complete assignments on time. Attendance and participation are required, and students are
responsible for all material covered and any announcements made in class. Homework will be collected at the
beginning of class on the due date and will not be accepted late.
GRADING:
There will be three tests
(100 points each) and a final exam (200 points); the research and writing
assignments will count 200 points; quizzes, homework, and attendance will count
100 points. Expect a quiz on each
reading assignment. Makeup quizzes
will not be given for any reason.
Final grades will be based upon the percentage of earned points from the 800 possible points and classified as follows: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; E = 59-0%.
WRITING ASSIGNMENT:
There will be several group and individual research and writing assignments. You will write short reports on specific aspects of the economy. For example, periodically you will find one or two articles about an assigned economic topic and write a brief essay relating it to the course. Some assignments will be done in groups. Specific details will be provided. Sources must be properly cited. Topics are based on the release of current macroeconomic data, or economic indicators. A schedule of topics will be provided. These essays will be collected periodically, but will be combined and graded as a whole. Details will be provided.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
All chapters should be read
before the first class on the dates given below. Chapter references are to the assigned text. We will not cover any appendix unless
noted.
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Class |
Topic |
Chapter |
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Jan. |
19 |
Introduction and Pre-Test |
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21 |
Ten Principles of Economics |
Ch. 1 |
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24 |
Thinking Like an Economist |
Ch. 2 |
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26 |
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Ch. 2 Appendix |
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31 |
Interdependence and the Gains from Trade |
Ch. 3 |
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Feb. |
2 |
Markets: Supply and Demand |
Ch. 4 |
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4 |
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7 |
First Test
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Ch. 1-4 |
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9 |
Measuring a Nation’s Income |
Ch. 5 |
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14 |
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16 |
Measuring the Cost of Living |
Ch. 6 |
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18 |
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21 |
Production and Growth |
Ch. 7 |
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23 |
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28 |
Saving, Investment, and the Financial System |
Ch. 8 |
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March |
2 |
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4 |
Basic Finance |
Ch. 9 |
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7 |
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9 |
Second Test |
Ch. 5-9 |
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14 |
Unemployment and It’s Natural Rate
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Ch. 10 |
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16 |
The Monetary system
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Ch. 11 |
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18 |
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21-25 |
Spring Break
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28 |
Money growth and Inflation |
Ch. 12 |
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30 |
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April |
1 |
Open-economy Macroeconomics |
Ch. 13 |
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4 |
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6 |
Macro Theory of the Open Economy
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Ch. 14 |
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11 |
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13 |
Third Test |
Ch. 10-14 |
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15 |
Aggregate Demand and Supply |
Ch. 15 |
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18 |
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20 |
Monetary and Fiscal Policy
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Ch. 16 |
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25 |
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27 |
Inflation vs. Unemployment in the
Short-run
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Ch. 17 |
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29 |
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May |
Dec. |
2 |
Five Macroeconomic Policy Debates
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Ch. 18 |
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4 |
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12 |
Final Exam section 001 (Thursday, 8:00 AM) |
Comprehensive |
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13 |
Final Exam section 002 (Friday , 10:15 AM) |
Comprehensive |
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