Download Laney College Macro Econ Online

LANEY COLLEGE
Division of Business, Math, and Sciences
SPRING SEMESTER, 2013
COURSE:
SCHEDULE:
TEXT (Required):
21822--ECONOMICS 001 (PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS ON-LINE)
Online Course: Taught in parallel with 21821 -- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Monday, F-200
McConnell and Brue, Macroeconomics – 19th Edition. Available at the College bookstore.
ISBN-10: 0077337727
INSTRUCTOR:
CLASS:
OFFICE HOURS:
E-Mail:
Joshua Polston, AICP
Online Course:
5:30 to 6:00 pm and 9:00 to 9:30 pm Mondays, Room: F-200, by appointment
[email protected]
WEB SITE
Homework via Connect: http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/class/21822 ($45, or
bundled with text in the bookstore)
COURSE
OBJECTIVE:
This course is designed to introduce the student to the study of the economy as a whole. It looks at
the big picture rather than the detailed individual choices. In particular, it studies the
determination of the level of economic activity - of unemployment, aggregate income, average
prices, and inflation. Fundamentals which should be learned from this course include basic supply
and demand analysis, GDP measurement, aggregate demand and supply, fiscal and monetary
policies, theories of economic expansion and contraction (Business cycles), comparative economic
systems, international trade and finance, and economic growth and developing countries.
METHOD:
This course is taught on-line and the textbook and web site will be the primary resources for the
student. Students will have the option of attending lectures that parallel the on-line course (see
information above).
RESPONSIBILITY:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Students are responsible for the following materials:
Review assignments in Connect not less than once a week.
Reading the assigned text and chapters per the schedule in the syllabus.
Web-based assignments and quizzes.
Online administered tests
Web – based discussions
ATTENDANCE:
Since this is an on-line class, there is no attendance requirement. Please note the testing dates on
the next page. If you are unable to complete test during these test dates you should strongly
consider dropping this class – NO MAKE-UP TESTS WILL BE ADMINISTERED
BASIS
OF GRADING:
A total of 500 points are possible in this course. There will be two online examinations worth
100 points each and a two-hour final examination worth 150 points. In addition, quizzes, and
on-line homework will total 250 points. The lowest of the two examinations will be
automatically dropped. You will note the heavy emphasis on the weekly web-based homework
assignments. These assignments will only be available for credit on the week assigned, so
please plan to devote time to this class every week.
First Exam (15%) Chapters 1-7
Second Exam (15%) Chapters 8-12
Web-based Homework and Quizzes (50%)
Final Exam (30%) Comprehensive
100pts.
100 pts.
250 pts.
150 pts.
(Lowest Grade Dropped)
(Lowest Grade Dropped)
Grades will be assigned on the following basis:
Points
Percentage
Letter Grade
450-500
90% - 100% ------------------------- A
400-449
80% - 89% ------------------------- B
350-399
70% - 79% ------------------------- C
300-349
60% - 69% -------------------------- D
Below 300
Below 60% --------------------------- F
REFERENCES:
Roger A. Arnold, Macroeconomics, 8th Edition.
Stephen L. Slavin, Economics.
Michael Parkin, Macroeconomics.
David N. Hyman, Macroeconomics.
The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Nation's Business, The Economist, and Daily newspapers.
21822– Macroeconomics On-line, Laney College SPRING 2013
Joshua Polston AICP
COURSE OUTLINE:
PART I. FOUNDATIONS OF ECONOMICS
An Introduction to Macroeconomics & the Economy:
The Market System
Demand & Supply
Market Failures: Public Goods
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
PART II. MACROECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS
Introduction to Macroeconomics
Measuring Domestic Output, National Income, & the Price Level
Economic Growth and Instability
Business Cycles, Unemployment and Inflation
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
PART III. MACROECONOMIC THEORY AND POLICY
Basic Economic Relationships
Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply
Fiscal Policy
Monetary Policy
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 16
IMPORTANT DATES
February 3
February 18
March 18
March 25
April 29
May 20
Last day to add or drop course
NO CLASS – Washington B-day Holiday
Test #1
NO CLASS – Spring Break
Test #2
Class Final Exam
Web Site Help
For help with Connect: call 800-331-5094 or use the online chat feature
CLASS PROCEDURES
How to get started
Taking an on-line class is different from what you may be accustomed to. If you have basic computer skills then you should
have no problem navigating through this course. I am not a computer expert and cannot help you with basic
connectivity/browser/Java issues. The web platform used in this course uses standard browser technology and has been used
by previous classes with very few technical issues. For technical help, call the help desk. Connect technical support may be
reached at (800)331-5094. Laney College also has a computer lab and library where you can use terminals if you do not have
access at home or work.
Your first step is to login to Connect using the address listed above. There is a $45 charge to use this service (or included
bundled with a new text). You also have the option to buy a subscription for $68 that includes use of an e-book version of
the text – the choice is yours.
Connect
Connect is a powerful homework and tutoring program. It has tons of content, grades basic homework assignments, and
consolidates essay responses for my review. You can use Connect for free during a 2 week trial period. If you are unsure
about taking this class, you can still sign-up and review the assignments at no cost during this period.
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21822– Macroeconomics On-line, Laney College SPRING 2013
Joshua Polston AICP
On-line vs. Lecture
You have an advantage in taking this course. I am also teaching the same class as a traditional lecture in parallel. Therefore,
if you need some clarification on a chapter or concept you are welcome to come to the weekly lecture. Class times and
location are discussed on the first page and follow the same schedule.
Pace
The course content is listed in this syllabus and in Connect. In general, you will need to complete all the homework by
Friday midnite of each week. After such time the assignments are closed and grades will not be counted. This is my anticramming feature. I want you to devote time to the course every week and have set these time limits to ensure you keep up
on the reading and exercises. For example, Chapter 1 homework will be due on Friday, September 4 at 11:59 PM. If you
turn in the assignment after this time, your scores will show in red or say “Late.” The exception to this rule is for the first
unit Chapter 1/1A which will be open for 2 weeks to help you get started. Also, students who add the class late will be
allowed to complete all assignments up through the add date without penalty.
Testing
Tests will be taken online. For homework, you can retake them as many times as you wish and I will automatically give you
the highest (not average) score. Tests however, may only be taken once and have a time limit. Before you begin the test you
should have adequate time set aside to complete it. I estimate the test should take students 1.5 – 2 hours to complete.
Textbook
As discussed above, the text for the course is McConnell and Brue, Macroeconomics – 19th Edition. Students ask if they may
use earlier versions of the text in order to save money. This decision is completely up to you. I will say that introduction to
macroeconomics does not change much for year to year so you will find that the 18th, 17th, 16th… editions are all very similar
to the current version.
GENERAL CLASS POLICIES
Communicating with the instructor
The preferred method of communication is email. I will be answering emails most every day on weekdays. Depending
on the volume of emails I’m answering I’ll respond to your email within 1 -2 days. I typically check my email in the
evening so if you email me at 4pm on Wednesday you’ll most likely get a response on Thursday morning. However I do
allow for the possibility that students may flood me with emails at the last minute and my response time may spill over to a
second day. I will not be checking my email on the weekend. So if you have any questions about an assignment its best
you get the questions in earlier. I expect you to keep this syllabus handy during the course and read all instructions on the
web site(s). If you send me an e-mail asking, for example, when the first test will be I will likely respond with a short
“check Syllabus.” There are 50 students in this course and I want to focus my efforts on the course material not responding
to routine questions.
Personal concerns/requests should still come directly to me via email.
Online Conduct Policy
Students at Laney College are expected to show respect for order, law, the personal rights of others, and the educational
mission of the College, as well as to maintain standards of personal integrity. Students working online will be held to the
same behavioral standards as students in traditional classrooms.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty (Cheating)
Laney College considers academic dishonesty to be a serious offense. It is the policy of the College that determination of and
appropriate action in respect to academic dishonesty by a student shall be a matter of individual judgment by the instructor.
The instructor may administer a penalty up to and including failure in the particular course. It is the professional obligation of
the faculty to enforce academic integrity in their courses. Academic dishonesty is any activity intended to improve a
student’s grade fraudulently. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Unauthorized acquisition of tests or alteration of grades (such as the stealing of tests,
test keys, or grade books from faculty offices or elsewhere, or the purchasing of tests or
grade books);
2. Unauthorized use of notes, books, or other prohibited materials during an examination;
3. Open cheating on an examination (such as copying from another student’s paper);
4. Permitting another person to take a test in the student’s place or receiving unauthorized
assistance with any work for which academic credit is received;
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21822– Macroeconomics On-line, Laney College SPRING 2013
Joshua Polston AICP
5. Providing unauthorized assistance with any work for which academic credit is
received;
6. Revision of graded work in an attempt to receive additional credit fraudulently;
7. Plagiarism (using another person’s work without acknowledgment);
8. Any other conduct intended to obtain academic credit fraudulently or dishonestly.
If an instructor fails a student in a course for academic dishonesty, the instructor must immediately notify in writing the
student and the Dean of the action, retaining copies of both notifications. The registrar maintains a record of all such
violations.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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Compare and analyze the core theories of economics, using the basic economic vocabulary and the standard tools of
economic analysis.
Evaluate the economic institutions and processes in the U.S. and compare them with those in use elsewhere.
Analyze social and political phenomena that have continued importance in any economy, such as the role of the
government in an economy, long run economic growth, poverty, environmental policy, and international trade.
Use knowledge of economics to conceptualize and analyze news items and articles.
Identify, analyze, and interpret data for trends. Construct graphs from given data.
Understand the difference between fiscal and monetary policy and their implications to our daily lives.
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