Download Economics B2 Dr. Michael Harvath

Economics B2
Principles of Macroeconomics
Email - [email protected]
Web Page – http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/mharvath
Dr. Michael Harvath
Office H35
Office Phone No. 395-4458
Spring 2015 CRN – 30992,30994
Course Description
An introduction to the principles of economic analysis and decision making from the
viewpoint of society. Emphasizes national income analysis, unemployment, inflation,
economic growth, fiscal and monetary policies, international trade, and applications to
current economic policy and problems. Prerequisite: Testing at math level -1 prior to transfer
or Math BA.
Required Book
Principles of Macroeconomics by Libby Rittenberg and Timothy Tregarthen (eISBN #978-14533-5157-4). This is an ebook. Access code can be purchased at the bookstore for $48.
You may buy both the ebook and a black and white printed copy of the book for $69 from the
publisher Flatworld Knowledge. Online access and a color copy is available for $134.
Grading
There will be 200 total points possible in this class. There are two midterm exams worth 60
points each and a final exam worth 62 points. The other 18 points come from 9 quizzes worth
2 points each. Major tests are always announced at least one week in advance. The quizzes
are at the beginning of class, will not be announced, and can not be made up. The grading
scale is 87.5% and above is an A, 75%-87.5% is a B, 62.5%-75% is a C, 50%-62.5% is a D,
and below 50% is an F. The exams and quizzes will be based both on lecture material
presented in class and assigned textbook readings. There will also be 15 points extra-credit
homework assignments. The homework points count towards your point total but do not raise
the grade scale. Missed tests must be made up by Friday of the 2nd week after the original
test in my office. If this is not done, the test will count as a 0. The make-up tests will be
different (and harder) than the original test
Course Schedule (Tentative)
Week of:
Topics
Readings
Unit 1
Introduction to Economics
Jan 19
Economics: The Study of Choice
Chapter 1
Jan 26
Confronting Scarcity: Choices in Production
Chapter 2
Feb 2
Demand and Supply
Chapter 3
Feb 9
Applications of Demand and Supply
Chapter 4
Feb 16
Unit 1 Test
Unit 2
Introduction to Macroeconomics
Feb 23
Macroeconomics: The Big Picture
Chapter 5
Mar 2
Measuring Total Output and Income
Chapter 6
Mar 9
Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Chapter 7
Mar 16
The Nature and Creation of Money
Chapter 9
Mar 23
Unit 2 Test
Unit 3
Introduction to Macreconomics Policy
Apr 6
Financial Markets and the Economy
Chapter 10
Apr 13
Monetary Policy and the Fed
Chapter 11
Apr 20
Inflation and Unemployment
Chapter 16
Apr 27
Consumption and the Aggregate
Expenditures Model
Chapter 13
May 4
Government and Fiscal Policy
Chapter 12
May 11
Unit 3 Test / Final Exam
Important Dates
January 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
February 1 – Last day to drop without receiving a W
February 13 – Lincoln Day Holiday
February 16 – Washington Holiday
March 27 – Last day to drop and receive a W
March 30 to April 4 – Spring Break Holiday
Classroom Conduct
No eating in the classroom.
No unnecessary talking during class.
Attend class sessions on time.
All cell phones and computers are to be put away during class lectures unless express
permission has been given by the instructor.
If you wish to drop the class, you are responsible for doing that. If you just stop coming
to class, you will receive an F.
Test Policy
Students may not have a cell phone out during a test. A student with a cell phone on his
desk or in his hand during a test will receive a 0 on that test, even if he is not using it
when it is noticed.
Student Services Statement
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student Services
Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to better
ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Office Hours
11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. MT
4:45 p.m.-6:00 p.m. T
10:00-11:15 a.m. F
Course Student Learning Objectives Statement
1. Identify and interpret macroeconomic data.
2. Apply macroeconomic models to understand the economy.
3. Analyze the economic impacts of monetary and fiscal policy.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the function of the central bank and the banking
system.
Program Student Learning Objectives Statement
1 . Economics students will be able to explain the nature and functioning of the market
system.
2 . Economics students will be able to define criteria for assessing efficiency in the
provision of goods and services.
3 . Economics students will investigate and assess the operation of economic institutions.
4 . Economics students will be able to evaluate alternative policies intended to enhance
economic outcomes.
5 . Economics students will develop competence in quantitative methods and computing
methods.
6 . Economics students will be able to conceptualize and analyze problems using the tools
of economic theory and communicate the results.
The following is an introduction to the Habits of the Mind program at Bakersfield College
How will you succeed at BC this semester? What determines success is not circumstance, but
habit. Habits of Mind, It’s POSSIBLE at BC has many free tools intended to help you
accomplish your goals in school. Only you can overcome the challenges you face this semester
and in life. Start out successfully with these steps:

Visit the Habits of Mind website: www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/habits-of-mind.

Download the app for Habits of Mind at Bakersfield College for power in your palm.

Ask for help, do the work, and refuse to quit.
Success takes energy, planning, and strategies for both the expected challenges in school as well
as the unexpected twists life can take. Ask your professor for more information. Now is the time
to develop new habits.