Download E 2101 - 007

Econ 2101
ECONOMICS 2101 - 007
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
SPRING 2014
INSTRUCTOR
Eric A. Kouevi
[email protected]
Office:
218 C Friday Building
Office Hours: Tu 3:30 – 4:45 pm; Th 3:30 – 4:45 pm in Friday building 132 lecture hall,
other hours by appointment only.
COURSE MATERIALS
This course uses Moodle2 for assignments and class communications.
The textbook 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.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
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.
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. 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.
Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
Page 1 of 7
Jan 9
Econ 2101
Foundations of Economic Thinking
•  Scarcity and choice
•  Supply and demand
Macroeconomic Measures and Issues
•  Production and output
•  Real and nominal values
•  Inflation
Macroeconomic Policy
•  The Fed and monetary policy
•  Fiscal policy
Investment
International trade
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To gain a fundamental understanding of the workings of the macro-economy; and to
develop a basic understanding of the role that government has in influencing economic
activity.
Along with other course objectives, this course will help the student develop problemsolving skills; skills associated with independent thinking; and will address social,
political, and global issues using tools of economic analysis.
Additionally, ECON 2101 is one of the courses that satisfies the social science
requirement of the new general education program. The course is intended to introduce
students to the methods of the social sciences and to the application of these methods
for gaining a scientific understanding of the social world.
Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
Page 2 of 7
Jan 9
Econ 2101
PATH TO SUCCESS: COURSE GROUND RULES
1. Attend class. This is the equivalent of showing up for work. It is necessary but not
sufficient to learn the material.
2. Be prepared for each class meeting. Before class, study the assigned material AND
learn the specialized vocabulary terms.
3. Stay for the entire class time. You may not go out and come back to class. You are
expected to refrain from side conversations during the class. Do not leave the class
to visit the vending machines, kill an enemy, check Facebook, rob a bank, try a new
margarita recipe, or any other reason. Your actions have consequences for you and
for others, so limit your footprint, please.
4. The best practice is to refrain from using any electronic device during class. Taking
notes by hand facilitates learning. Cursive writing produces more retention than
printing. There is sound research to support this.
You may not use electronic devices during class. You may not take photos, check
Facebook, record the class, or any other use of electronics. That means no phones,
no tablets, no laptops, no Cray supercomputers, and no cameras.
It is never appropriate to use headphones during class.
5. You may not take pictures or make recordings of the lecture or other class work.
These products are the property of the instructor. Your notes are your products and
you can do as you like with them provided you do not create disincentives for class
attendance.
6. No spitting.
7. If you miss a class, get the notes from a classmate. The instructor does not deliver
instant replays or even summary notes.
8. In addition to time spent in class, you should plan to spend at least 6 hours per
week studying for this course alone. Additional time will be required if your
prerequisite skills are weak. Additional time is also required to prepare for exams. If
you are not prepared to devote this time, week after week, reschedule this course for
a semester when you have more time available.
9. 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, creating and understanding graphs, or time management skills.
Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
Page 3 of 7
Jan 9
Econ 2101
10. You are responsible for solving your own IT problems. If something is not working
on your phone, Mac, or tablet, try a Windows computer. Use Firefox as your
browser. If you continue to have difficulty, call the help desk at 7 – 6400.
GRADES
Exams:
Grades will be based upon four tests and an optional final exam. The tests are weighted
equally. Students can opt to drop their lowest regular exam, take the final, and apply the
grade of the final to the dropped exam.
Letter grades are assigned as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
Below 60
Grades are rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Special consideration may be
given to students who perform especially well on the final.
Students who arrive late for tests and/or the final examination will be permitted to sit the
test or exam provided that no student has turned in their paper prior to the student’s
arrival. Once a paper has been turned in, late arriving students will not be permitted to
begin the test or exam. A student who begins a test or exam late will not be given extra
time at the end of the regular test or examination period.
Attendance policy:
This course has no formal attendance policy. Students are expected to make all classes
on time. All students are expected to make all tests when scheduled. Make-up exams
will only be allowed for pre-excused absences. Written proof of the reason for absence
must be provided. Examples of acceptable reasons are; medical (minor illnesses not
included), death of or serious illness to family members, major traffic accident, and
athletes and others who represent the university on a regular basis. Remember
excused absences must provide a written reason from the appropriate official(s)
indicating the exact dates for which class was or will be missed. If a student misses a
test or tests with an excused absence, the student must take the final exam and the
weight(s) of the missed test(s) will be applied to the final exam.
Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
Page 4 of 7
Jan 9
Econ 2101
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. Be sure you know the meaning of these terms. "I
didn't think THAT was plagiarizing." is not an acceptable defense. 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 socio-economic status.
Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
Page 5 of 7
Jan 9
Econ 2101
COURSE SCHEDULE
Date
Day
Jan 9 Th Chapter 1: Introduction to Economics
Jan 14 T Chapter 2: Production Options
Jan 16 Th Chapter 2: Production Options
Jan 17 F Last day to add a class Jan 21 T Chapter 3: Demand and Supply
Jan 23 Th Chapter 3: Demand and Supply
Jan 28 T Chapter 3: Demand and Supply; Chapter 4: More Demand and
Supply
Jan 30 Th Chapter 4: More Demand and Supply
Feb 4 T Exam 1
Feb 6 Th Chapter 5: Introduction to Macroeconomics
Feb 11 T Chapter 5: Introduction to Macroeconomics
Feb 13 Th Chapter 6: Measuring Production and Income
Feb 18 T Chapter 7: Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Feb 20 Th Chapter 7: Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Feb 25 T Exam 2
Feb 27 Th Chapter 8: Economic Growth
March 4 T No class
March 6 Th No class
March 11 T Chapter 9: Money
March 13 Th Chapter 9: Money
Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
Topic
Page 6 of 7
Jan 9
Econ 2101
March 18 T Chapter 10: Financial Markets and the Economy
March 20 Th Chapter 10: Financial Markets and the Economy
March 25 T Exam 3
March 26 W Last day to drop
March 27 Th Chapter 11: Monetary Policy and the Fed
April 1 T Chapter 11: Monetary Policy and the Fed
April 3 Th Chapter 12: Government and Fiscal Policy
April 8 T Chapter 12: Government and Fiscal Policy
April 10 Th Chapter 14: Investment and Economic Activity
April 15 T Chapter 14: Investment and Economic Activity
April 17 Th Exam 4
April 22 T Chapter 15: Net Exports and International Finance
April 24 Th Chapter 15: Net Exports and International Finance
April 29 T Review
May 8 Th Eric A. Kouevi
Syllabus
2:00 – 4:30 Final exam. Check the University Calendar for location. Page 7 of 7
Jan 9