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:
- Understand, calculate, and analyze macroeconomic indicators including changes in employment, real GDP, interest rates, and price levels.
- Understand economic growth and the business cycle.
- Identify various causes of macroeconomic instability and evaluate different interventionist and non-interventionist perspectives.
- Identify and describe the major institutions and instruments through which macroeconomic policies are implemented.
- Identify the many consequences of scarcity and explain how changes in opportunity costs affect behavior.
Course Content:
Week 1 - February 1 – February 5
Chapter 1 Introduction
Week 2 - February 8 – February 12
Chapter 2 Introduction to Choice in a World of Scarcity
Week 3 - February 15 – February 19
Chapter 3 Introduction to Demand and Supply
Test 1
Week 4 - February 22 – February 26
Chapter 6 Introduction to the Macroeconomic Perspective
Week 5 - March 1 – March 5
Chapter 7 Introduction to Economic Growth
Week 6 - March 8 – March 12
Chapter 8 Introduction to Unemployment
Test 2
Week 7 - March 15 – March 19
Chapter 9 Introduction to Inflation
Week 8 - March 22 – March 26
Chapter 11 Introduction to the Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply Model
Week 9 - March 29 – April 2
Spring Break
Week 10 - April 5 – April 9
Chapter 12 Introduction to the Keynesian Perspective
Test 3
Week 11 - April 12 – April 16
Chapter 13 Introduction to the Neoclassical Perspective
Week 12 - April 19 – April 23
Chapter 14 Introduction to Money and Banking
Week 13 - April 26 – April 30
Chapter 15 Introduction to Monetary Policy and Bank Regulation
Test 4
Week 14 - May 3 – May 7
Chapter 17 Introduction to Government and Fiscal Policy
Week 15 - May 10 – May 14
Chapter 18 Introduction to the Impacts of Government Borrowing
Week 16 - May 17 – May 21
Chapter 19 Introduction to Macroeconomic Policy Around the World
Test 5
Week 17 - May 24 – May 28
Chapter 20 Introduction to International Trade
Chapter 21 Introduction to Globalization and Protectionism
Week 18 - May 31 – June 4
Test 6
Textbook:
Great news: your 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 16 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, fair, and just.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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