Economics 1120
Course Outline and Reading List
Fall 2008
LectureDateTopicReading
1. Sep. 1Introduction: What is Economics?Chap. 1
2. Sep. 3The US Economy - An OverviewChap. 2
3. Sep.8Supply and DemandChap. 3
4. Sep. 10Using Supply and Demand AnalysisChap. 4
5. Sep. 15Why Worry About Macroeconomics?Chap. 5
6. Sep. 17Measuring National IncomeChap. 6
Assignment – Using the data for GDP per capita at find out how much output per person has grown from the year you were born compared to now
7. Sep. 22Unemployment and InflationChap. 7
Assignment – Using the data for the CPI at - find out first how much a dollar is worth today compared to the month you were born and second what the average annual rate of inflation over that period has been
8. Sep. 24Equilibrium and the MacroeconomyChap. 8
9. Sep. 29Fiscal Policy and the Role of the GovernmentChap. 9
Assignment – Do the “Penny Game” at
10. Oct. 1Money and the Role of the FedChap. 10
11. Oct. 6Money Demand and Monetary PolicyChap. 11
12. Oct. 8Linking Money and the “Real” EconomyChap. 12
13. Oct. 15 Aggregate Supply and DemandChap. 13
First Prelim - Evening of October 16
14. Oct. 20Unemployment - Causes and TradeoffsChap. 14
15. Oct. 22Macro Policy and the DeficitChap. 15
Assignment–Look at the National Debt Clock at - If this debt is shared equally by all citizens, what is YOUR share?
16. Oct. 27Investment and Capital MarketsChap. 16
17. Oct. 29Consumption Decisions and the Life CycleChap. 17
18. Nov. 3Social Security, the Deficit and the Long Run
Assignment – Read the Social Security Primer at: (also on course website)
19. Nov. 5Monetarism, New Classicals and Supply SidersChap. 19
Second Prelim – November 6
20. Nov.10International Trade - Comparative Advantage Chap.20
21. Nov. 12Barriers to Trade and International AgreementsChap. 20
22. Nov. 17Exchange Rates and the Balance of PaymentsChap. 21
Assignment – Read the following article on exchange rates:
(A Beginner’s Guide to Exchange Rates)
23. Nov. 19International Debt and Capital Flows Chap. 22
24. Nov. 24Globalization, Trade and Immigration Chap. 22
25. Dec. 1Economic Growth - Sources and Structural ChangeChap. 18&23
26. Dec. 3Economies in Transition and Central PlanningChap. 23
Makeup for First Prelim Evening of INSERT DATE HERE
Makeup for Second Prelim Evening INSERT DATE HERE
All readings are from Case & Fair Principles of Macroeconomics8th Ed.PrenticeHall2007.