Honors Economics 102 Arienne Turner
Principles of Macroeconomics Lee Cockerill
Office: 1423-02 / Office Hours: M W: 12:00-1:30 T Th: 3:00-4:00Phone: (714) 992-7503 / E-MAIL: ;
Web Page:
Textbook Web Page:
GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
Regular attendance and a willingness to contribute to the process are critical to your success in the class. Economics is a challenging discipline and will require your best effort and attention. Assigned readings should be completed as scheduled so that you can fully participate in the classroom activities. When you need extra help take full advantage of my office hours and other services on campus. Economics is sometimes referred to as the Science of Choice. It is concerned with obtaining maximum satisfaction through the efficient use of scarce resources. Your study of economics will benefit you professionally and personally and help you make decisions as a responsible voting citizen. The study of economics has many practical benefits however, you should know that economics is mainly an academic, not a vocational, subject. It is not a series of how to make money lessons. The economic perspective stresses rational behavior that often weighs the marginal costs and marginal benefits of alternative choices. There are three fundamental skills that are necessary to engage successfully in economic reasoning:
1.The ability to use and apply the specialized vocabulary.
2.The ability to use graphs and mathematical reasoning.
3.The ability to use abstract models and generalize.
TEXTBOOK
McConnell, Brue and FlynnEconomics 18th edition or Macroeconomics 18th edition. McGraw-Hill.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
3 Ring binder, Graph paper, 3 Pens: black, blue and red, 4 Scantron answer sheets #882 and as many as 10 quiz strips.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS
Subscription or regular access to a weekly news magazine such as The Economist, U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, Business Week, Fortune or the Wall Street Journal.
EXAMINATIONS
Four examinations including a final will be given. All will count the same amount, 100 points each. The course outline indicates the material covered on each, and the approximate time of the tests. Test questions will be taken from the following sources, listed in the order of their importance: lecture material, study guides, homework, class discussion, and assigned readings. The tests will be multiple choice and other objective questions with some practical applications included. Learning the new vocabulary of economics is extremely important! Interpretation of some graphs will also be required. All examinations are cumulative. The fourth test is the final, and it is comprehensive.
Class Notebook:
You should keep your lecture notes and class handouts in a 3 ring loose-leaf binder, so that pages can be added, rearranged, or taken out for grading. Some classroom activities will continue for several class periods. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to fill in the missing material. Your textbook’s web site has power point presentations, interactive exercises and many useful features prepared for each of the assigned chapters. You can take practice quizzes on line to judge your understanding of the material. My web page contains a lecture outline for each of the assigned chapters and links to other useful material.
Class discussion and data collection:
During the semester you will be asked to collect, organize and discuss the uses of a variety of relevant macroeconomic data. This may include preparing it for a campus web site that would make the information available for reference.
GRADES
Your grade will be based upon the total number of points earned. Regular attendance is expected. Your score will include a maximum of 200 points for your group project, attendance and participation. The fourexaminations count 100 points each and represent 2/3 of your final grade NO makeup examinations or quizzes will be given. You may drop one of the three regular exams and double the final. This will be done automatically, if it is to your advantage. If you miss a test the final will be counted twice. No allowance will be made for missing a quiz.
The instructor reserves the right to lower a student’s score, and/or require additional work if there is any indication of cheating on examinations or turning in someone else’s work! Failure to turn in your project will result in a grade no higher than D.
A = 90%B = 80%C = 65%D = 50%
If you decide to discontinue the class, be sure to drop officially in the records office. Failure to do so will result in an F. An incomplete grade will be given only on request. The last day to drop the class with a W is Saturday, April 25, 2009.
Unit I / Market Failures, The Role of Government and MeasuringThe Economy. Chapters 4, 5,23(summary) 24,26 / Exam I / 02/25/10
Unit II / Macro Models andFiscal Policy
Chapters 28,29, (including appendix), 30 / Exam II / 03/25/10
Unit III / Money Banking and Monetary Policy
Chapters 31,32,33,35 / Exam III / 05/13/10
Unit IV / Group project report-to be assigned
FINAL EXAM IS COMPREHENSIVE / Exam IV (Final) / 9am
05/27/10