Course Syllabus

 

Course Identification

Course Prefix/Number:                                                           Econ 201

Course Title:                                                                            Macroeconomics

Division:                                                                                  Applied Science Division

Credit Hours:                                                                          3

Initiation Revision Date:                                                         Fall 2008

Assessment Goal per Outcome (s)                                          70%

 

Course Description

This course is a study of the aggregate sectors of the economy and their respective roles in economic activity.

 

Prerequisites and/or Co requisites

This course and Microeconomics Econ 200 cannot be taken concurrently.

 

Texts

Economics  17th Edition. McConnell, Campbell R. and Brue, Stanley L. The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 2008.

 

Course Outcomes

 

  1. Outline the basic principles, nature, and problems of economics.
  2. Evaluate principles, concepts, and problems of national income accounting and analysis.
  3. Review the function of money, with money development, and the operations of the money and banking system.
  4. Discuss the basic goals of economic activity, and the difficulties encountered in the pursuit of these goals.

 

AT THE END OF THE COURSE, A STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1.                  Define Economics.

2.                  Contrast the distinction between microeconomics and macroeconomics.

3.                  Review the concepts of production possibilities analysis, increasing opportunity costs, and economic growth.

4.                  Discuss the basic principles and problems of economics. (Business Skills item 8)

5.                  Contrast the differences between a command system and a market system.

6.                  Evaluate how the market system decides what to produce, how to produce it, and who obtains its.

7.                  Discuss how the market system adjusts to change and promotes progress.

8.                  Define demand and what affects it.

9.                  Define supply and what affects it.

10.              Evaluate how supply and demand together determine market equilibrium.

11.              Review how government-set prices can cause product surpluses and shortages.

12.              Evaluate why the corporate form of business organization dominates sales and profits.

13.              Evaluate the problem that arises when corporate owners (principals) and their managers (agents) have different interests.

 

 

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14.              Discuss the economic role of government in the economy.

15.              Identify the major categories of Federal, State, and local spending and major sources of revenue for each.

16.              Evaluate the relationship of comparative advantage, specialization, and international trade.

17.              Describe ways in which governments interfere with free trade among nations.

18.              Describe how exchange rates are determined in currency markets.

19.              State the purposes of national income accounting.

20.              List the components of GDP.

21.              Evaluate the nature and function of a GDP price index.

22.              Explain why business cycles affect capital and consumer durable goods industries more than non-durable goods and service industries.

23.              State the causes of frictional, cyclical, and structural unemployment.

24.              Define inflation and list two types of inflation.

25.              Evaluate the relationship between the interest rate, expected rate of return, and investment.

26.              Describe the reason for the instability in investment spending.

27.              Describe and define the multiplier effect.

28.              Describe how government purchases and personal taxes affect equilibrium GDP.

29.              Explain the affect of increases (decreases) in imports on real GDP.

30.              Explain why an equal amount of government purchases and taxes will have a differential impact on GDP.

31.              Evaluate factors that affect changes or shifts in the aggregate demand curve.

32.              Evaluate factors that affect changes or shifts in the aggregate supply curve.

33.              Explain how aggregate demand and aggregate supply determine an economy’s equilibrium price level and level of real GDP.

34.              Differentiate between expansionary and contractionary fiscal policy.

35.              Evaluate the role of built-in stabilizers in moderating business cycles.

36.              List three timing problems encountered with fiscal policy.

37.              Describe the function of money, money development, and operations of the money and banking system. (Business Skills item 9)

38.              Define the money supply, M1, M2, and M3.

39.              Discuss the makeup and functions of the Federal Reserve as part of the U.S. banking system.

40.              Discuss the effects of a currency deposit in a checking account on the composition and size of the money supply.

41.              Explain why a commercial bank is required to maintain a reserve and why it is not sufficient to cover deposits.

42.              Explain what happens to the money supply when a loan is repaid or a bank sells its securities.

43.              Identify the goals of monetary policy.

44.              Describe three monetary policies the Fed could use to reduce unemployment.

45.              Describe three monetary policies the Fed could use to reduce inflationary pressures in the economy.

46.              Explain two possible effects of taxation on aggregate supply.

47.              Explain why demand-management policies can not eliminate stagflation.

 

 

 

Macroeconomics Syllabus page 3

 

48.              Distinguish between demand-pull and cost-pull inflation using the extended aggregate demand-aggregate-supply model.

49.              Identify major factors that contributed to the U.S economic growth.

50.              List primary reasons for productivity acceleration in the United States since 1995.

51.              Identify and explain the arguments for and against economic growth.

52.              Give two reasons for macroeconomic instability according to mainstream economists.

53.              Explain the main reasons for macroeconomic instability according to the real-business-cycle theory.

54.              List three reasons why a higher wage could result in greater efficiency.

 

Note: Competencies listed in bold type are part of program outcomes.

 

Course Outline:

 

Part 1:  An Introduction to Economics and the Economy

 

1.      Limits, Alternatives, and Choices

2.      The Market System and the Circular Flow

3.      Demand, Supply, and Market Equilibrium

4.      The U.S. Economy: Private and Public Sectors

5.      The United States in the Global Economy

 

Part 2:  Macroeconomic Measurement and Basic Concepts

 

6.      Measuring Domestic Output and National Income

7.      Introduction to Economic Growth and Instability

8.      Basic Macroeconomic Relationships

 

Part 3: Macroeconomic Models and Fiscal Policy

 

9.      The Aggregate Expenditures Model

10.  Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply

11.  Fiscal Policy, Deficits, and Debt

 

Part 4:  Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy

 

12.  Money and Banking

13.  Money Creation

14.  Interest Rates and Monetary Policy

 

Part 5:  Long-Run Perspectives and Macroeconomic Debates

 

15.  Extending the Analysis of Aggregate Supply

16.  Economic Growth

17.  Disputes over Macro Theory and Policy

 

 

 

 

Macroeconomics Syllabus page 4

 

Instructional Methods

 

1.                  Lecture and class discussion

2.                  Use of visual aids

3.                  Student assignments

4.                  Unit or chapter tests

5.                  Oral and written student reports

6.                  Case studies

 

Student Requirements and Method of Evaluation

 

An effort will be made to grade student on all types of performances: oral, written, daily, periodic, special contribution, and projects.  The instructor will endeavor to arrive at the course grade in the following manner:

 

                        Unit tests………………………………………………..60%

                        Participation, cooperation and general interest…………10%

                        Notebook assignment or special project………………..10%

                        Final exam………………………………………………20%

           

Grading Scale

90% and above = A  80% to 89% = B  70% to 79% = C  60% to 69% = D  59% and below = F

 

Grades are rounded to the nearest whole percentage.  For example, 79.5 will be rounded to 80% whereas, 79.49 will be rounded to 79%.   

 

Attendance Policy

 

Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused except in those cases where outside bodies, such as the State Board of Nursing, have requirements for minimum class minutes for each student. Students who are excused will be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute assignments from the instructor and should not be penalized for the absence.  Proper procedure should be followed in notifying faculty in advance of the student’s planned participation in the event.  Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the planned absence.

 

Unless students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they are expected to attend class.  If a student’s absences exceed one-hundred (100) minutes per credit hour for the course or, in the case of on-line or other non-traditional courses, the student is inactive for one-eighth of the total course duration the instructor has the right, but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course.  Once the student has been dropped for excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student, stating that he or she has been dropped.  A student may petition the chief academic

officer for reinstatement by submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within one week of the registrar’s notification.  If the student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be notified. 

 

 

 

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Academic Integrity

NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic pursuits.  Academic integrity in coursework is a specific requirement.  Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for violations of Academic Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

 

Cell Phone Policy

 

Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. Faculty may approve an exception for special circumstances.

 

Assessment of Student Gain

 

INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF GAIN.  All incoming first‑time full‑time students are required to

pre‑test by using either the COMPASS or ACT test as a testing tool.  All graduating sophomore students

are given a post‑test by using the NCCC Exit Exam testing tool.  The purpose of the pre/post test is to

measure the average student gain in general academic knowledge while attending Neosho County

Community College.  PROGRAM ASSESSMENT OF GAIN.  The Marketing/Management Education

Department performs follow‑up contacts on program completers one year after awarding program

certificates.  Placement in a vocation, successfully attending a higher level of institutional learning, or

military service is considered a positive placement.  The minimum acceptable level of placement is 70

percent.  A program assessment tool may also be used by the Marketing/Management Department to

assess mastery of program outcomes. An 80 percent proficiency or higher is major program

outcomes is sought.  COURSE ASSESSMENT OF GAIN.  Pre‑assessment of all students is done during

the first two weeks of the course either by oral interview or written test.  Students must achieve a course

percentage score of 70 percent to satisfactory complete the course based on the course evaluation

method.

 

NOTE: If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify the Dean of Student Development, Chanute Campus, Student Union, 620-431-2820, Ext. 213.,  or the  Dean, Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2607 ext 312, as soon as possible.  You will need to bring your documentation for review in order to determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you in arranging any necessary accommodations.

 

Note: Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC.  Changes will be published in writing and made available to students.