ECON&202 (Online): Intro. to Macroeconomics

Larry Angel
Dept: Economics Department

Email: langel@u.washington.edu

 

General Information:

Larry Angel

Emaillangel@u.washington.edu or langel@sccd.ctc.edu
Off. & Off. Hours:  Robert Smith Building (RS190) & OH: by appointment
Course Platformwww.waol.org or http://angel.waol.org (for login)
Contact Information:  Fax (206)764-5807 or Work Phone (206)764-5325.

Announcements

Ok, to use 4th edition. I've double-checked the text and its seemed to be a fairly reasonable substitute. If you notice any glaring issues, please email me at langel@u.washington.edu


Syllabus

Course Description:

This course in macroeconomics is an introduction to understanding the aggregate measures in the economy, such as GDP, unemployment and inflation. Our analysis will include examination of monetary and fiscal policies and their effects on the interest rate, inflation, investment, economic activity and the employment of resources. Prereq: Mat 098/102

Textbook:

Principles of Macroeconomics by Mankiw, N.Gregory, 4th edition or 5th edition. There is a copy placed on reserve at the library and students can borrow Mankiw from the Cultural Center.  Check with the Cultural Center about the rules when you borrow books. 

ECON&202 Schedule

Dates

Chap & Topic

Group Act

HW

Tests

Week 1 (Jun 29-Jul 3)

1, 2, 3

-

-

-

Week 2 (Jul 6-10)

4 & 5

GA1

HW1

-

Week 3 (Jul 13-17)

6 & Rev

GA2

HW2

Quiz 1 & Test 1

Week 4 (Jul 20-24)

10,11,12

-

-

-

Week 5 (Jul 27-31)

13, 14, 15

GA3

HW3

-

Week 6 (Aug 3-7)

Rev

GA4

HW4

Quiz 2 & Test 2

Week 7 (Aug 10-14)

16, 17, 18

GA5

HW5

-

Week 8 (Aug 17-21)

Rev

-

-

Quiz 3 & Test 3

Holiday:  July 4th

 

 

 

 

Final (Test #3)
Test Window:   Friday, August 21st through Saturday, August 22nd

Test Window: Thursday, Aug 20th 630pm to 9pm & Friday, Aug 21st 3pm to 6pm

*Schedule WILL be adjusted accordingly, so ALWAYS look to my website for those changes…

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the aggregate economy: Inflation, business cycles, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policies, federal deficits, and international trade and finance.
  • Understand the basic tools of finance.
  • Become familiar with elasticity specifically its impact on the price of good and the quantity sold.
  • Demonstrate how taxes distort the equilibrium between firms and consumers.
  • Explain the differences between nominal GDP, real GDP, GDP Deflator and Consumer Price Index (CPI).
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of the Federal Reserve.
  • Learn the impacts of monetary and fiscal policies on aggregate demand.

Grading Policy

Test 1, 2 & 3 (Final):25% each (*approximately*)  - 120 points (40 points each)
Quiz 1, 2 & 3          15%                                         - 24   points
HW & Group Act    5%                                           - 8     points
Participation             5%                                           - 8     points
*Grade adjustments will be made accordingly*       160 total points

NC” or “Inc” will only be given in extreme cases…

Grading Scale:

Decimal Grade

Percentage

 

Decimal Grade

Percentage

 

Decimal Grade

Percentage

4.0

> 95%

 

2.9

79%

 

1.8

68%

3.9

94%

 

2.8

78%

 

1.7

67%

3.8

92%-93%

 

2.7

77%

 

1.6

66%

3.7

90%-91%

 

2.6

76%

 

1.5

65%

3.6

88%-89%

 

2.5

75%

 

1.4

64%

3.5

86%-87%

 

2.4

74%

 

1.3

63%

3.4

84%-85%

 

2.3

73%

 

1.2

62%

3.3

83%

 

2.2

72%

 

1.1

61%

3.2

82%

 

2.1

71%

 

1.0

60%

3.1

81%

 

2.0

70%

 

0.7

50%-60%

3.0

80%

 

1.9

69%

 

0.0

Below 50%

Test 1 & 2 & 3 (25% each):  Most of the material will come from the homework, group activities, old tests, quizzes, and problem solving.  There is a time limit of 1 hour.  There are no make-ups unless you have a written doctor’s excuse or extreme situation.

You also need to take ALL exams with a proctor.  In the past, students would just use the South Seattle CC proctoring center, but due to budget cuts we no longer offer a proctoring center.  However, I will act as a proctor during test days.  More on this later…

Quizzes 1 & 2 & 3 (5% each): Quizzes will cover the group activities, homework, lecture material and chapter readings.  These quizzes will be specifically designed to prepare you for the tests.  The same rule applies to the quizzes.  There are no make-ups unless you have a written doctor’s excuse or extreme situation.  Unlike the exams, you will be able to take the quizzes online.

Homework (2.5%):  Homework will cover lecture material and chapter readings.  Each homework will consist of roughly 4-5 problems.  Before the due date, I will randomly assign these problems to students.  On the due date, these students will submit their answers via email or fax.  From there, I will compile all the answers from the students into one document with all my comments.  I will grade each student on his or her answer from a 0 to 5 point scale.  There are NO make-ups, NO exceptions.  It is highly recommended to exchange emails and work in groups for the homework.  Solutions will be posted online right after we review them.

Group Activities (2.5%):  Groups of 4 or 5 will work on questions and one member will send their answer via email or fax on the due date.  From there, I will compile all the answers from the groups into one document with all my comments.  You are required to present to the class at least once over the quarter and will be graded the same as the homework, 0 to 5 scale.

Participation & Attendance (5%): Discussion board comments, group activity participation, reading comprehensions (short quizzes), and helping others will play a major role in deciding your participation grade.

Course Policies

Honesty:  Students must turn in their own work; plagiarism and cheating can result in loss of credit or dismissal.

Disabilities:  Students subject to provisions of the ADA:  If you believe you qualify for course adaptations or accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is your responsibility to contact the Disability Support Services officer and provide the appropriate documentation.  If you have already documented a disability or other condition, which would qualify you for accommodations, or if you have emergency medical information or special needs I should know about, please notify me during the first week of class.

Diversity:

Students are required to:
• Respect the dignity of all individuals.
• Promote a culture of respect.
• Respect the privacy, property, and freedom of others.
• Reject bigotry, discrimination, violence, or intimidation of any kind.
• Practice personal and academic integrity and expect it from others.
• Promote the diversity of opinions, ideas and backgrounds, which is the lifeblood of an educational institution.

Tips for Succeeding in my Class:

  • Take the prerequisites.  This is a 2nd year course.  You should not be taking this class if this is your 1st or 2nd quarter here at South.
  • Read my chapter notes before receiving my chapter comments.
  • Study in groups.  Teach other students.
  • Self-discipline!
  • Complete all the assigned problems!

My teaching style: Remember, I’m a student like everyone else in this class, so I understand a lot the issues of being a student.  Currently, I’m a doctoral student at the University of Washington, so I understand the time commitments needed for work, school, and personal items.  All I ask are the basics:  Golden Rule.  I treat everyone with respect and I expect the same in return.  Everything that I go over in class will be available through my website and ANGEL, so homework and tests will not be a mystery. Students who fail my online class:  do not complete their homework or do not stay on task.  If you participate and complete all the assigned homework, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get a reasonable grade.

Any corrections or questions regarding my syllabus please email me.


Lectures:

Test 1  Lectures
Test 2 Lectures
Test 3 Lectures
-
-
-
-
-

 


Homework:

Homework Keys
Homework Comments
Homework 1:  Key
Homework 1:  Comments
Homework 2:  Key
Homework 2:  Comments
Homework 6:  Key
Homework 6:  Comments

 


Group Activity:

Group Activity Keys
Group Activity Comments
Group Activity 1:  Key
Group Activity 1:  Comments
Group Activity 2:  Key
Group Activity 2:  Comments
Group Activity 6:  Key
Group Activity 6:  Comments

 


Handouts

Syllabus


Miscellaneous

Graphing in Word 2007

Hockey website

Test 1 Review

Test 1 Win 08 w/o Solutions

Test 1 Win 08 Key

Test 1 Spring 08 w/o Solutions

Test 1 Spring 08 Key

Test 1 Summer 08 w/o Solutions

Test 1 Summer 08 Key

Test 2 Review

Test 2 Win 08 w/o Solutions

Test 2 Win 08 Key

Test 2 Spring 08 w/o Solutions

Test 2 Spring 08 Key

Test 3 (Final) Review

Test 3 (Final) Win08 Key

Test 3 (Final) Win 08 w/o Solutions

Test 3 (Final) Spring 08 Key

Test 3 (Final) Spring 08 w/o Solutions

Grade Report

Economic Articles