ECO 3311 Intermediate Dr.

Edward Day
Macroeconomics
Office Hours: Contact Information:
TR 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Office: GR3.406
Phone: 214-293-7568
e-mail: edday@utdallas.edu
Class web site:
http://webct.utdallas.edu

Catalog Description:

A study of the determinants of national income, employment, interest rates, and the price
level, including theories and evidence regarding the influence of monetary and fiscal
policies on the economy. Prerequisites: ECO 2302 and ECO 2301 or permission of
instructor.

Course Goals:

This course seeks to achieve two goals. First, as part of the basic foundation for further
study in economics, you will learn the fundamental theories and models concerning the
functioning of the overall macro-economy. Second, those for who are not economics
majors, this course providesa higher level of understanding of the macro-economy than
the principles course.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the student should be able to:

• Identify and define the components of GDP.

• Use long-run and short-run models to analyze economic conditions.
• Describe the Federal Reserve System and its policy tools.
• Describe the policy tools of the federal government.
• Define the problems policy makers face in stabilizing output, employment and
prices.
• Describe the causes, cures, and effects of inflation.
• Analyze popular political and journalistic debate about the U.S.economy.

Required Texts:

• Macroeconomics, 5th edition, N. Gregory Mankiw, Worth Publishers, 2003

• Study Guide to Accompany Macroeconomics.

Recommended:
 • Wall Street Journal

Attendance policy:

I will not be taking roll and attendance is not required. However, it has been my
experience that those students who show up for class tend to make better grades than
those who are less conscientious.In addition, I do make it a practice to give out extra
credit assignments to students who attend.If you don’t come to class you won’t be aware
of these.

Expectations :

What do I expe ct of you?

• I expect you to keep up with the material. There will be weekly quizzes that
will require you to have read material from your text and on the internet, and
to perform some activity. The quizzes will be timed and turned off at the end
of each block of work. You must have them done within the given time frame.
• I expect you to participate in the assigned discussions,
• I expect you to check your e- mail at least twice a week, and
• I expect you to let me know by e- mail or telephone when you are in difficulty.
• I expect you to do well in this course.

What can you expect of me?

• You can expect me to be available to answer your questions or concerns on a

regular basis.
• You can expect me to respond to your e- mail or other personal
communication in a timely manner.
• You can expect me to provide you with as much guidance in the course as it is
possible to do.
• You can expect me to help you to do as well as you can in this course.
• You can expect me to give consideration to other expectations that I may have
left off this list.
Grading and Procedures

Your grade is based upon successful completion of the following course

requirements.Point values for each isgiven:

Requirement Percent of Grade

Quizzes 10
Discussion assignment 5
Exams 85
Total 100

Quizzes:

There are 14 quizzes, one for each of the 14 chapters that we expect to cover this term.
These quizzes are timed and will open and close on particular dates during the
semester.The quizzes are on the WebCT course site under “Quizzes”. Once closed,
quizzes will not be reopened. PLAN AHEAD.

Discussion Topics:

There are 4 discussion topics assigned. You are required to post your comments to the
“Discussion Board” in WebCT concerning these topics during the week that they are
assigned. In addition to your own comments, I expect that you will read and comment on
the summary of one other person. You should have at least two posting for each topic.
Additional postings will earn extra credit. The topic will open during that week and
will close by Friday of the assignment week. No additional postings to that topic will
be allowed after the close.

Exams :

I expect to give 5 exams, one approximately every third week. Each will consist of a
mixture of multiple-choice and short-answer essay or problem solving questions.
Final Grade Determination:

Points Grade Points Grade

A+ 97 – 100 C+ 77 – 79
A 93 - 96 C 73 – 76
A- 90 - 92 C- 70 - 72
B+ 87 – 89 D+ 67 – 69
B 83 – 86 D 63 – 66
B- 80 - 82 D- 60 - 62

Reading schedule:

Week of: Schedule of activities

August 15 August 18, Introduction

1. Read Mankiw chapters 1

2. Complete quiz for chapter 1

August 22 1. Read Mankiw chapter 2, 3

2. Complete quiz for chapter 2

August 29 1. Read Mankiw Chapters 3

2. Complete quizzes for chapters 3

First Examination, Thursday, September 1

Topic: Inflation measurement: (a) Go to Google.com

and search for the words “inflation measurement”. Read
and summarize one article concerning the measurement
of inflation. (b) Read the summary of one other of your
classmates, and (c) comment on their summary of their
article.

September 5 1. Read Mankiw Chapters 4

2. Complete quizzes for
chapter 4

September 12 1. Read Mankiw Chapters 5

2. Complete quizzes for chapters 5

September 19 1. Read Mankiw Chapter 6

2. Complete quizzes for chapter 6
 Second Examination: September 22, Chapters 4 - 6

Topic: Natural Rate of Unemployment : (a) Go to

Google.com and search for “Natural Rate of
unemployment”. Read and summarize one article
concerning the Natural Rate of Unemployment. (b)
Read the summary of one other of your classmates, and
(c) comment on their summary of their article.

September 26 1. Read Mankiw Chapter 7

2. Complete quizzes for Chapter 7

October 3 1. Read Mankiw Chapter 8

2. Complete quizzes for Chapter 8

October 10 1 Read Mankiw Chapter 9

2 Complete quizzes for Chapter 9

Third Examination, October 13, Chapters 7 - 9

Topic: Long Run Growth: (a) Go to Google.com and

search for “Long-run growth sources.” Read and
summarize one article concerning the topic. (b) Read
the summary of one other of your classmates, and (c)
comment on their summary of their article.

October 17 1 Read Mankiw Chapter 10

2 Complete quizzes for Chapter 10

October 24 1 Read Mankiw Chapter 11

2 Complete quizzes for Chapter 11

October 31 3 Read Mankiw Chapter 12

4 Complete quizzes for Chapter 12

Fourth Examination November 3, Chapters 10, 11,

12

Topic: Economic Fluctuations: (a) Go to Google.com

and search for “Business cycles.” Read and summarize
one article concerning the topic. (b) Read the summary
of one other of your classmates, and (c) comment on
their summary of their article.
November 7 1. Read Mankiw Chapter 13
2. Complete quizzes for Chapter 13

November 14 1. Read Mankiw Chapter 14

2. Complete quizzes for Chapter 14

November 21 1. Read Mankiw Chapter 15

November 28 1. Tuesday November 26, Mankiw Chapter 15

2. Complete quizzes for Chapter 15

Thursday November 28, Classes end

December 1 Fifth Examination: Chapters 13, 14, 15