Course Syllabus

Contact Information:

Instructor Name: Todd Myers

Email Address: todd.myers@gcccd.edu

Phone: 619-644-7848

Office Hours: By Appointment in Zoom. Here are ways to enter my Zoom office:

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Preferred method of contact: Please contact me by email at todd.myers@gcccd.edu if you have any problems or questions with regards to the course. I will respond to emails within 24 hours on weekdays and on Monday for messages sent over the weekend. We can also set appointments in Zoom.

Course Description:

An introductory course focusing on aggregate economic analysis. Topics include market systems, aggregate measures of economic activity, macroeconomic equilibrium, money and financial institutions, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, and economic growth. 


Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Understand, calculate, and analyze macroeconomic indicators including changes in employment, real GDP, interest rates, and price levels.
  2. Understand economic growth and the business cycle.
  3. Identify various causes of macroeconomic instability and evaluate different interventionist and non-interventionist perspectives.
  4. Identify and describe the major institutions and instruments through which macroeconomic policies are implemented.
  5. Identify the many consequences of scarcity and explain how changes in opportunity costs affect behavior.

Course Content:

Week 1 - August 17 – 21

Chapter 1 Introduction

Week 2 - August 24 – 28

Chapter 2 Introduction to Choice in a World of Scarcity

Week 3 - August 31 – September 4

Chapter 3 Introduction to Demand and Supply

Test 1

Week 4 - September 7 – September 11

Chapter 6 Introduction to the Macroeconomic Perspective

Week 5 - September 14 – September 18

Chapter 7 Introduction to Economic Growth

Week 6 - September 21 – September 25

Chapter 8 Introduction to Unemployment

Test 2

Week 7 - September 28 – October 2

Chapter 9 Introduction to Inflation

Week 8 - October 5 – October 9

Chapter 11 Introduction to the Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply Model

Week 9 - October 12 – October 16

Chapter 12 Introduction to the Keynesian Perspective

Test 3

Week 10 - October  19 – October 23

Chapter 13 Introduction to the Neoclassical Perspective

Week 11 - October 26 – October 30

Chapter 14 Introduction to Money and Banking

Week 12 - November 2 – November 6

Chapter 15 Introduction to Monetary Policy and Bank Regulation

Test 4

Week 13 - November 9 – November 13

Chapter 17 Introduction to Government and Fiscal Policy

Week 14 - November 16 – November 20

Chapter 18 Introduction to the Impacts of Government Borrowing

Week 15 - November 23 – November 27

Chapter 19 Introduction to Macroeconomic Policy Around the World

Test 5

Week 16 -November 30 – December 4

Chapter 20 Introduction to International Trade

Chapter 21 Introduction to Globalization and Protectionism

Week 17 - December 7 – December 11

Test 6


Textbook:

Great newsyour textbook for this class is available for free online!
Principles of Macroeconomics from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-30-1 

You have several options to obtain this book:

  • View online (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
  • Download a PDF (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
  • Order a print copy (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 
  • Download on iBooks (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) 

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.


Important Notes:

  • All first week assignments need to be completed and submitted by the due date to avoid possibly being dropped from the class.
  • Any student needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact the ARC by visiting the Center (located in Building 60 120) or by phone (619-644-7112 voice or email grossmont.arc@gcccd.edu). All information will remain confidential.
  • Academic dishonesty and plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the assignment. Using someone else's ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as our own, either on purpose or through carelessness, is a serious offense known as plagiarism. "Ideas or phrasing" includes written or spoken material, from whole papers and paragraphs to sentences, and, indeed, phrases but it also includes statistics, lab results, artwork, etc.  Please see the Grossmont College Handbook for policies regarding plagiarism, harassment, etc.

Grades and Assignments:

Five 16 Point Tests - 80 points

You will have five 12 point tests during the semester that may include multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, fill in the blank questions, and essay questions.

Final Exam - 20 points

Your final exam will be worth 20 points and will be comprehensive. It may include multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, fill in the blank questions, and essay questions.

Grading Scale:
A =  +90, B = +80, C = +65, D = 60, F = Below 60

Grade consequences for less than the completed performance of course requirements:

1. Written assignments will be lowered a letter grade if turned in late.
2. Missed assignments cannot be made up.

The instructor reserves the right to use his discretion in individual circumstances that may not be covered by this syllabus or if the application of the rules of the syllabus would result in a miscarriage of justice. If you have any problems with the class or the instructor please come to talk to me about these issues during office hours so that we can work the issues out.  I am a reasonable person and will try to address your concerns in a manner that will be mutually satisfactory. If you are not satisfied with the resolution we arrive at, you should contact my Chairman, Shahrokh Shahrokhi at 644-7508.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due