Principles of Macroeconomics

Econ 1A

Winter  2010

San Jose State University

DMH 149A – MTWRF 6:00pm – 9:30pm

 

Instructor: Dr. Colleen Haight

Office: DMH 219

Phone: 408-924-5422 office; 650-580-1998 cell

E-mail: colleen.haight@sjsu.edu

Office hours: MTWRF 5:00pm, or by appointment

Web site: www.chaight.com

 

Course Description and Objectives:

Macroeconomics 1A is designed to acquaint you with the basic concepts of macroeconomic thought, and how those concepts touch our lives every day. My goal is to teach you basic economic reasoning and analysis, allowing you to evaluate actions taken by individuals and governments. We will look past intentions to see effects, and will evaluate how policies which are said to improve the general welfare measure up. We will examine economics as you encounter it in daily life.

 

Textbooks:

Principles of Macroeconomics, 5th Edition, N. Gregory Mankiw (with Aplia)

Economics in One Lesson, Henry Hazlitt ISBN 0930073193

 

Requirements and Grading Policy:

Students' grades for the course will be determined by scores on two mid-term examinations, a final examination, the Aplia Lab, and a series of quizzes. Exams will cover both reading assignments and additional material covered in class. Final grades will be determined as follows:

 

Aplia Lab:                      25%

Mid-term Exams (2):     25% (each)

Final Exam:                           25%

 

While most classes benefit from student participation, it is particularly true with this course. Much of our class time will be spent discussing applications of concepts from the reading. Please come to class ready to participate. It is expected that book chapters will be read prior to the class in which they are to be discussed, allowing you to offer your opinions on the material.

Class attendance is not mandatory and will not directly affect a student's grade. It is up to you to measure the costs and benefits of class attendance. However, students will be held responsible for all information presented in class, as well as the information in the readings.

 

NO MAKE-UPS:  Students often overcome tremendous obstacles to complete the assignments listed above.  They may, for example, hire an expensive baby-sitter, antagonize their boss (or worse yet, their spouse), miss out on a potentially great date, or hijack a car to get to an exam or turn in their work.  I am not in a position to weigh one personÕs obstacles relative to others.  Therefore, there are no make-up assignments, quizzes or exams. 

 

Course Outline:

 

Class

Date

Discussion Topic

Chapter

Notes

1

5-Jan

Introduction

M 1, 2 & H 2

 

 

 

Gains from Trade

M 3 & H 15

 

2

6-Jan

Supply and Demand

M4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 3

7-Jan

Elasticity

M5,  6

 

 

 

GovÕt

H 16, 17, 18, 22

 

4

8-Jan

Exam

 

 

 

 

The Market

M 7

 

5

11-Jan

Tax

M8 & H 4, 5

 

 

 

Int'l Trade

M9

 

6

12-Jan

GDP

H11

 

 

 

CPI

M 10, 11

 

7

13-Jan

Unemployment

M15

 

 

 

Review

 

 

8

14-Jan

Exam

 

 

 

 

Financial System

M 13, H 10, 19, 20

 

9

15-Jan

Furlough Day

 

No Class

10

18-Jan

School Holiday

 

No Class

11

19-Jan

Tools of Finance

M 14 &H 24

 

12

20-Jan

Money

M 16

 

 

 

Inflation

M 17, H23

 

13

21-Jan

Open Economy

M 18 & H12

 

 

 

Review

 

 

 14

22-Jan

Final Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This schedule is merely a tentative plan and may be changed as the course progresses.

 

 

 

 

 

Academic Integrity:

 Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at

San Josˇ State University and the UniversityÕs Academic Integrity

Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work.

Faculty are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs.
The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf


Americans with Disabilities Act:

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a

disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building

must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as

possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03

requires that students with disabilities register with DRC to establish a

record of their disability.

 

SJSU Economics Department Events and Resources:

 

The Barstool Economists:

All econ majors are automatically members of the Barstool Economists group you just need to subscribe (its free!).  The listserve provides announcements, reminders, updates, and economic conversation. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thebarstooleconomists/

 

The David S. Saurman Provocative Lecture Series:

The Economics Department hosts a wonderful lecture series each semester, bringing guest lecturers to our campus who work and do research in unexpected and compelling areas. There are usually 3 such lectures per semester. Dates and times are posted around DMH. Generally, the Barstool Economists congregate at a local restaurant/bar near campus after the lecture. More information can be found at: http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/economics/