Class Syllabus for Macroeconomics ECO 2013

CLASS SYLLABUS FOR PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS – ECO 2013 Academic Term: Fall 2014 Class Duration: Monday, August 25, 2014 – Friday December 12, 2014 Finals week: Monday December 14 - Friday, December 19, 2014 Meeting Times: MWF 11:15am – 12:30pm (Room 1254) Instructor: Enrique Valdes, Economics Instructor Reference number:817978 Number of credits: 3 Contact Info: Email: [email protected] Office number: 1218-3 Phone number: 305-237-4933 Webpage: www.professorvaldes.com Office Hours: Monday: 7:30am-7:50am, 11:00am-12:30pm, 1:30PM-3:30PM Tuesday: 7:30am-8:15am, Wednesday: 7:30am-7:50am, 11:00am-12:00pm Thursday: 7:30am-8:15am Friday: 7:30am-7:50am, 11:00am-12:30pm, 1:30PM-3:00PM

Additional office hours: Wednesday: 2:00pm-3:00pm (please email to make sure the professor is available) Thursday: 1:30pm-2:30pm (please email to make sure the professor is available)

Course description: This course gives students an overview of the basic economic concepts. Students will learn about the modern national income accounting, economic fluctuations, money, banking, trade, inflation, unemployment, monetary policy, and fiscal policy. For many students this is only the first or second time learning about economics. For this reason this course may seem challenging to some but every student is capable of being successful in this course. Students that are successful in this course realize that by challenging themselves to be better students they will reap the benefits of success. After taking this course students will realize that the problem solving skills they learned in this course could be applied in any discipline and that they should not be scared of pushing themselves to learn.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites courses to participate in the course. However, students will be expected to have a basic knowledge of algebra.

Required Materials: CoreMacroeconomics (ISBN 978-1-46-419142-8) by Chiang, 3rd ed. . Having access to the book is not optional it is required . Access to Launchpad . Basic Calculator (Wireless devices are not allowed on the exam) . (4) Scantrons . Optional: Colored pens (this will help you draw the graphs) Launchpad: Several assignments will be completed online in Launchpad . Visit the follow website to register for Launchpad h ttp://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/chiangcoremacro3/580776 . Due dates are listed on Launchpad and will not be extended . Signing up for more than one trial version of Launchpad is not allowed

Grade Calculation: All Exams are based on class lectures and text readings. Grade Scale: . The exams are multiple choice . There are four exams and a cumulative final exam A = 90 – 100 . Your lowest exam score will be dropped B = 80 – 89 . Your two lowest online HW scores will be dropped C = 70 – 79 . You are responsible for all the material presented in each Dchapter. = 60 – 69 F = 59 or less Average of writing assignments 15% 9 Online assignments (Launchpad) 30% Average of four highest exam scores Exams 55%

Total 100%

Writing Assignments: Principles of Macroeconomics has a Gordon Rule (GR) requirement. . To meet the GR requirement, this course has three (3) written assignments which comprise 15% of your final grade. . You will meet the GR requirement if and only if your writing is considered “College-Level.” . If you do not complete ALL the writing assignments, you will fail this course. . Assignments must be typed in New Times Roman, Font Size 12, with one-inch (1”) margins. . Submit your assignment via www.turnitin.com , see attached form for more details . Late Policy: For each day your paper is late, you will receive a 2.5% reduction in score

Attendance: . Class attendance is required . If you miss three consecutive classes you will be dropped from the course . Missing more than 30% of class before the drop date will be grounds to be dropped . Make sure to communicate with the professor if you are going to miss class Cell Phones: . Please silence your cell phone during lecture . If you need to use your cell phone please leave the classroom Make up policy: . There will be no make-up exams. . If you miss an exam it will be considered your lowest exam score and it will be dropped . If you miss a second exam due to a documented emergency those situations will be dealt with on an individual basis How to be successful in this course: . Study. Reading the chapter before class is necessary to understand the material . Ask questions. If you do not seek my help it is difficult for me to help you . Make sure to complete Homework’s online (they account for 30% of your grade) . The exams will challenge you to think critically so make sure to be prepared . Come to class and check your email I send many updates through MDC email

Available support services: . On Launchpad there are plenty of videos, additional questions, and PowerPoint presentations . Tutoring services are available in room 2121. I recommend you call before going to make sure a business tutor is available, 305-237-8986 . There are great video tutorials https://www.khanacademy.org/ Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments will not be given on an individual basis, so do not ask. If and when extra credit is given the entire class will have the opportunity to get it.

Academic Service-Learning

Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities for reflection designed to achieve desired learning outcomes.

During the course of the semester, students will have the opportunity to participate in service-learning; it will be optional to devote a minimal of minimum of 15 hours serving in one of the offered community agencies. This experience will be worth 5% of your grade (extra credit)

Students will receive an overview of service-learning during the beginning of the semester by the Institute of Civic Engagement and Democracy (iCED). The overview will include the instructions to register online, select a placement site, and how to complete the forms.

The forms mentioned below must be turned in by the corresponding dates to the professor or iCED OFFICE (West Campus- Room 1218)

Contract Form

Hours/Evaluation Form

If you have any questions in reference to service-learning, please contact the iCED office,

305-237-8960.

COURSE CONTENT & S CHEDULE

WEEK ONE: . Introduction to the Course . 7 Principles of Economics (Ch. 1)

. Labor day Monday, September 1st (no class) . Working with Graphs and formulas (Ch. 1 appendix) . Production, Growth, and Trade (Ch. 2)

. Supply and Demand (Ch. 3)

. Test #1 Thursday, September 18th (Ch. 1-3)

. Introduction to Macroeconomics (Ch. 5) . Measuring inflation and unemployment (Ch.6) . Writing assignment #1 due Friday September 26 . Measuring inflation and unemployment (Ch. 6)

. Economic growth (Ch. 7)

. Test #2 Thursday, October 16th Ch. 5-7

. Aggregate Expenditures (Ch. 8)

. Aggregate Demand and Supply (Ch. 9) . Fiscal Policy and Debt (Ch. 10) . Last day to drop with a W Tuesday, November 4th . Fiscal Policy and Debt (Ch. 10) . Saving, Investment, and the Financial System (Ch. 11) . Writing assignment #2 due Friday November 6th . Veterans day Tuesday, November 11th (no class) . Test #3 Thursday November 13th Ch. 8-11

. Money Creation and the Federal Reserve(Ch. 12)

. Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28 No class . Monetary Policy (Ch. 13) . International Trade(Ch. 15) . Writing assignment #3 due Friday December 5th . Test #4 Thursday, December 11th (Ch. 12-13,15)

WEEK S EVENTEEN: . Comprehensive final

Please note: . Schedule is tentative and subject to change at Professor’s discretion. A C A D E M I C D I S H O N E S T Y Please refer to the section on Academic Dishonesty on pages 19 – 21 of the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook available online (http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf).

S P E C I A L A C C O M M O D A T I O N S

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the course. Students are responsible for presenting ACCESS information at the beginning of the semester. For more information on this program please visit http://www.mdc.edu/access/

Please note: . Syllabus is tentative and subject to change at Professor’s discretion.

C O U R S E C O M P E T E N C Y A N D L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E O U T L I N E

Course Competencies: The student will demonstrate knowledge of: 1. Basic Economic Concepts 2. Comparative Economic Systems 3. National Goals, Income Formation, and Fiscal Policy 4. Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy 5. International Trade and Finance 6. Knowledge of Socio-economic concerns

Learning Outcomes: 1. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data. 2. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning. 3. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information