Econ112 Principle of Macroeconomics

Fall 2013

Useful Information

Instructor Rui Zhao at 311A Rich Memorial Building

Contact 404-7128688

Class web site

Office hoursTuesdays 12noon-2pm and Fridays 1pm-2pm

Overview

Macroeconomics studies behavior of aggregate economy. The class will explain the statistics we use to monitor the healthiness of an economy, the relationship between components of an economy, and institutions and policies used to regulate aggregate economy.

Aggregate economy is the sum of individuals in the economy. Hence understanding principles that govern individual decision making is the pre-requisite of this class. In particular, this class assume that you already familiar with demand and supply analysis.

Course materials

  • The required textbook,The Principle of Macroeconomics by Mankiw, 6th edition.
  • Access to Aplia for homework assignments.
  • Any other readings or handouts will be posted on the class web site

How to access your Aplia course

Register:Aplia is part of CengageBrain, which allows you to sign in to a single site to access your Cengage materials and courses.Please register ASAP; you may pay later.I strongly recommend you use your Emory email address while registering.

  1. Connect to
  2. If you already have an account, sign in. Go to your My Courses page, and click the Enroll in a New Course button.
  3. If you don't have an account, click the Create a New Account button, and choose Student Account.
  4. Enter your Course Key when prompted:KSNM-RE6W-8LTY. Continue to follow the on-screen instructions to access your course.

Payment:

  • Online: Purchase access to your course (including the digital textbook) from the Aplia website.
  • Bookstore: Purchase access to Aplia from your bookstore. Check with the bookstore to find out what they offer for this section.
  • After paying, you will have the option to purchase a physical book at a discounted price. If you choose to pay later, you can use Aplia without paying until 11:59 PM on 09/17/2013.

Grades

This class uses plus/minors grading system. (Roughly >=90 A, >=80 B, >=70 C, >=60 D, and <60 F.)

All grades are posted on Grade Center. Grade Center is a part of Blackboard. To access grade center, use your email ID and password to log in at the address below.

Your grades are based on homework (15%), two midterms (25% each), and final exam (35%).

  • One group of graded homework is assigned (almost) everyweek. Despite the minor difference of total grade points on Aplia, each week’s homework will be converted to 100-point scale and posted on the Grade Center. When calculate the final score, the lowest three weeks’ homework grades will be dropped.
  • The twomidterms are scheduled during regular class time.The first exam is on MondaySeptember 30thand the second on MondayOctober 28th. Both midterms are non-accumulative and consist of 25 multiple choice questions.
  • The Final exam is scheduled on Monday December 16, 11:30-2 (section meets at 9am) and Friday December 13, 3-5:30 (section meets at 10am).Final exam is comprehensive.It consists of 50 multiple choice questions, though more weights are put on the materials covered after the second midterm.

All re-grading requests must be made no later than one week after exams are returned to you.

There are two chances to win extra credit, which will take place on November 25th and December 9th. Details will be given on the third week of the semester.

Laundry list

Emails: When sending me emails, please tell me your name, course number, and section number. Emails received after 10pm may not be answered until next morning.

Classroom etiquette: Be there, be there on time. If you must leave early, sit near an exit. Don’t chat with your neighbors. If you miss something I said, ask me. Feel free to ask questions any time, raising hand or not. Laptops/I-pads are allowed. However, if I caught you engaging in non-class related activity, you will be asked to leave the classroom. Turn off all the other electronic devices. If your cell phone rings, you have to sing on the spot.

Aplia homework: There are two types of homework listed on Aplia, graded and practice. Only the graded homework counts towards your homework grade. The deadlines for all graded homework are Sundays 11:30pm. I can’t give you extension on Aplia homework for whatever reason. Please start working on your problem sets early! Do not wait till the last minute to submit your answers, you may run into unforeseen computer glitches! You may change your answers as often as you wish until the deadline, at which point the last set of answers will be graded automatically.

On the day of exam: You must bring your student ID to all exams. Other than calculators and writing utensils, no other items are allowed during exams.

Make-up exams:All midterm exam dates observe religious holidays posted on the Emory University website. If your faith tradition is not represented, you must go to Office of Undergraduate Education (300 White Hall) to get an official permission to miss an exam. Should an unforeseeable conflict arise, you must contact me before or within 24 hours of the exam. To schedule a make-up exam, you must provide proof to show that you physically can’t present to take the exam on scheduled exam dates.

Honor code:The honor code is in effect throughout the semester. By taking this course, you affirm that it is a violation of the code to cheat on exams, to plagiarize, to deviate from the teacher’s instructions about collaboration on work that is submitted for grades, to give false information to a faculty member, and to undertake any other form of academic misconduct. You agree that the teacher is entitled to move you to another seat during examinations, without explanation. You also affirm that if you witness others violating the code you have a duty to report them to the honor council.

Academic misconduct will be handled according to the Emory University Honor Code. See details at the address below.

Students with disabilities: Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and to discuss with me all necessary accommodations.