Download Welcome to Principles of Macroeconomics

Econ 2101
Welcome to Principles of Macroeconomics
Hi Folks!
This is the first course in the study of how the overall economy works and what options there are to shape
the outcomes. Our central theme is what determines how much we produce, how many people are
employed, and what the price level is. These topics are in the news every day. We will use the tools of
economics to take an analytical look at these topics and to identify where macroeconomic questions get
mixed up with values and politics.
If you follow the US news, you have already heard a lot about macroeconomics. Since the Great
Recession began in December 2007, the economic news has been dominated by discussions of
problems in the financial industry, the housing bubble, the level of employment and unemployment, the
Fed and monetary policy, the federal debt, optimal tax rates, and the fiscal cliff. There are advocates of
different policy approaches, each with strongly held views. This course helps you understand the
economics at work in these important issues. With some work, the world will look differently to you at the
end of the course than it does at the beginning.
The more you know about current events, the more you will get out of the course. Consider reading the
Wall Street Journal, The Economist, or Business Week. You may also find segments of BBC News, PBS
News Hour (pbs.org/newshour) and Charlie Rose (charlierose.com) of interest.
This course uses graphs to show ideas, so the more you know and understand about graphs, the easier
this course will be. Khan Academy breaks the skills you need into videos of no more than 10 minutes
each. There is a list of useful links on the Moodle site for
this course if you need to review.
Foundations of Economic Thinking
The required textbook for this course is Principles of
Macroeconomics, edition 2.0, by Rittenberg and
Tregarthen. The text is published by Flat World
Knowledge, a company that is pioneering low-cost
textbook publishing. You have several options for
acquiring the text. These are explained at here. I have
no preference as to what format you purchase. Any
notation that I recommend the All Access Pass is a
generic statement by Flat World. You know how you
study best, so choose accordingly.
Macroeconomic Measures and Issues
This doesn't look like your usual syllabus, right? It has all
the usual syllabus content. I promise.
Macroeconomic Policy
Try to forget your ideas about whether this course is easy
or difficult, fascinating or boring. Come see for yourself!
Cheers,
Carol Swartz
C. Swartz
Syllabus
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Scarcity and choice
Supply and demand
Production and output
Real and nominal values
Inflation
The Fed and monetary policy
Fiscal policy
International trade
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Jan 13
Econ 2101
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Carol Swartz, Clinical Professor of Economics
[email protected]
Office Hours: 217 A Friday Building M 9:00 – 11:30 am, 1:00 – 3:30 pm and by appointment.
Mr. Rob Cafaro, Teaching Assistant
[email protected]
Office Hours: 215 B Friday Building, Tu and W, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and by appointment.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS: ECONOMICS IS ALL ABOUT CHOOSING.
There are basic ground rules for this course:
1. Attend class. The instructors do not deliver instant replays or even summary notes.
a. Do not do anything to distract others, including the instructor, in class.
b. If you use any electronic device with a screen, sit in the back of the room to minimize your
impact on others.
2. Be prepared for each class meeting. Study the assigned material BEFORE the class meeting AND
learn the specialized vocabulary terms.
3. You may not take pictures or make recordings of the lecture or other class work without the explicit
permission of the instructor.
4. Identify and correct any skill deficiencies related to this course. These skills may be the correct use
of capitalization and other grammatical conventions, arithmetic and algebraic facility, time
management skills, or exercising self-control in the classroom.
5. You are responsible for solving your own IT problems. If something is not working on your phone or
tablet, try a Windows computer. If you continue to have difficulty, call the help desk at 7 – 6400.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
It is your responsibility to be fully and accurately informed of University policies, including, but not limited
to, rules regarding dropping and adding courses, graduation requirements, and student conduct. The
Dean of Students Office is the authoritative source for these policies.
The UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity will be actively enforced in this course. The
code forbids cheating, fabricating or falsifying information, submitting academic work for multiple
requirements, plagiarizing, abusing academic materials, and complicity in academic dishonesty. Any
special requirements or permissions regarding academic integrity will be stated by the instructor and are
binding on you. You are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty to the course instructor.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to do the work in this course, please contact the Office of
Disability Services to obtain a Letter of Accommodation. The office is 230 Fretwell; phone 7.4355.
The Belk College of Business strives to create an inclusive academic climate in which the dignity of all
individuals is respected and maintained. Therefore, we celebrate diversity that includes, but is not limited
to ability/disability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
C. Swartz
Syllabus
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Jan 13
Econ 2101
GRADES
Grades will be based on the following events:
 Hour exam grades (4 exams, 100 points each)
 Graded homework (120 points total)
 A cumulative final exam (200 points)
Exams: The hour exams and the final exam will be multiple choice questions. The hour exams will have
a maximum score of 105 points and the final exam will have a maximum score of 210 points. Raw scores
(not percentages) will be recorded.
Barring acts of God or university closure, the exams will be given on the date scheduled. If an exam is
not given on the date scheduled, it will be given in the next class meeting. Prepare in advance for
challenging circumstances such as having exams in other courses on the same day.
Homework: Homework consists of ten multiple choice questions (one point per question) for each
chapter. These questions will be made available in Moodle at least ten days before the hour exam.
Homework is to be completed no later than 11:00 pm the night before the hour exam. You may take each
quiz up to three times with at least 30 minutes between attempts. Only your best score counts toward
your course grade. There are no make-ups or excuses for homework assignments.
Extra credit opportunities may be available from time to time at the discretion of the instructor.
Final Exam: All students are required to take the final exam. It is a comprehensive, cumulative, allinclusive exam covering all the material from this course.
Missed Exams: If you miss any exam you will be given a grade of 0 for that exam. The missed exam
will be subject to the grade replacement policy described below.
Grade Replacement Policy: The final exam is divided into five sections, one for the material covered by
each of the four hour exams and one for the material covered since the fourth hour exam. If your grade
on a section of the final is greater than your grade on the corresponding hour exam, the grade from the
final will be substituted for the hour exam grade. There is no limit on the number of substitutions allowed.
This system rewards students who learn and retain the material by the end of the semester.
Course Grades: Grades will be assigned based on your course POINTS according to the following
scale:
Course Grade
A
+
Cumulative Points
648
B
C
D
F
576 -- 647
504 – 575
432 – 503
Less than 432
COURSE SCHEDULE
Date
Day
Topic
Jan 10
Th
Chapter 1 Economics: The Study of Choice
Jan 15
Tu
Chapter 2 Confronting Scarcity: Choices in Production
Jan 17
Th
Chapter 2 Confronting Scarcity: Choices in Production
Jan 18
F
Last day to add
Jan 22
Tu
Chapter 3 Demand and Supply
C. Swartz
Syllabus
Page 3 of 4
Jan 13
Econ 2101
Date
Day
Topic
Jan 24
Th
Chapter 3 Demand and Supply
Jan 29
Tu
Chapter 3 Demand and Supply
Jan 31
Th
Exam 1
Feb 5
Tu
Chapter 5 Macroeconomics: The Big Picture
Feb 7
Th
Chapter 5 Macroeconomics: The Big Picture
Feb 12
Tu
Chapter 6 Measuring Total Output and Income
Feb 14
Th
Chapter 7 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Feb 19
Tu
Chapter 7 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Feb 21
Th
Chapter 7 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Feb 26
Tu
Exam 2
Feb 28
Th
Chapter 8 Economic Growth
Mar 5
Tu
Spring Break
Mar 7
Th
Spring Break
Mar 12
Tu
Chapter 9 Money
Mar 14
Th
Chapter 9 Money
Mar 19
Tu
Exam
Mar 21
Th
Chapter 10 Financial Markets and the Economy
Last day to drop
Mar 26
Tu
Chapter 10 Financial Markets and the Economy
Mar 28
Th
Chapter 11 Monetary Policy and the Fed
Apr 2
Tu
Chapter 11 Monetary Policy and the Fed
Apr 4
Th
Chapter 12 Government and Fiscal Policy
Apr 9
Tu
Chapter 12 Government and Fiscal Policy
Apr 11
Th
Chapter 12 Government and Fiscal Policy
Apr 16
Tu
Exam 4
Apr 18
Th
Chapter 15 Net Exports and International Finance
Apr 23
Tu
Chapter 15 Net Exports and International Finance
Apr 25
Th
Review Chapters 1 – 3, 5 - 7
Apr 30
Tu
Review Chapters 8 – 12, 15
May 7
Tu
Final exam, 2:00 – 4:30 pm
C. Swartz
Syllabus
Page 4 of 4
Jan 13