Macroeconomics
Email: vkulkarn@sdccd.edu
Intersession 2009
CRN# 14032
Dr.Viju Kulkarni
Course Material:
1. Text: Macroeconomics by Roger Arnold ( 8th edition, ISBN: 0324538030)
2. Dr.K’s Resources and Helping Hand ( can be found on course Tools link on
blackboard)
3. Relevant articles from Websites, newspaper and Magazines to be used in
discussion topics
4. You can also checkout the companion website. The link to the student companion website can be found
here http://websites.swlearning.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&flag=student&product_isbn_issn=9780324538038&discipl
ine_number=413 this website provides flashcards, quizzes, key terms etc.
Course Description:
For many of you, this is your first course in Economics. The main goal of this course is to
convey to the beginning student with no previous knowledge of economics, an
understanding of the basic theoretical principles used to explain economic reality.
Economic reality presents itself in the form of problems related to production,
distribution, and consumption in the world of scarce resources. Economic theory attempts
to provide a unified and coherent explanation of these problems. Learning economics is
essentially a matter of learning how to look at the economic issues from another point of
view. Economics as a matter of fact is nothing but an organized common sense.
The study of economics is conveniently divided into two disciplines – Macroeconomics
and Microeconomics. Macroeconomics is concerned with the study of economic
aggregates while Microeconomics deals with the economic behavior of individual units
in the economy.
Course Objectives:
The main objective of this course is to introduce you to the way economists try to
understand the working of macroeconomic system. Timing couldn’t be better to study
this very exciting and very challenging area of study as the U.S. economy is in the worst
possible shape and condition in all areas of economic interest – job market, housing,
banking, stock market and record high budget deficit and debt. The huge bailout plan the
administration came up to rescue the financial markets is going to put a serious dent on
new president’s ability to balance the budget and allocate the resources in needed areas as
planned. While lot of promises were made during the campaign on both sides to improve
the economic health of middle class America, new president is faced with serious
limitations to make a good on the promise at least in the next few years. The real
challenge for all the experts is to figure out what does it take to bring back the true
resilience American economy always enjoyed. This is a great time to be studying and
understanding how the macro economy works.
Macroeconomic study focuses on the broader economic issues of the economy such as
inflation, unemployment, money supply, interest rates and economic growth. The study
also looks at the economic implications of budget surplus, deficit, debt, taxation and its
connection with monetary policy measures. Macroeconomics provides a link to
understand many global issues such as trade and payments, free trade issues and foreign
exchange market. In addition to these conventional macroeconomic topics, we also focus
on looking into the economic implications of current social issues such as global
warming, recycling, outsourcing, health care and immigration in our discussion. By using
basic macroeconomic concepts. This should make our learning more meaningful.
Testing and Grading
There will be 2 quizzes (Warm up and Final) 2 tests (Mid term and Final) and 4
discussion topic postings (read the specific instructions on this below) in this jet speed 4
weeks course. Each test will count 240 points towards the grade and each quiz will count
80 points and you are graded for the maximum of 700 (480 points from tests, 160 points
from the quizzes and 60 points from discussion posting) points. Please read the specifics
on discussion postings below.
Each test will be 60 multiple choice questions from the selected list of chapters covered
each week. Each quiz will contain 40 MC questions the selected chapters as listed below.
I have provided you below with the chapters to read, questions to focus on for quiz and
test. You can also check out my Resources guide ( Dr.K’s resource guide and Helping
hand link on my home page) to help you understand the material better and prepare for
test. To get most from the course in this short period of learning, first read the sections
from my resources and then read the text.
The schedule we have set up for tests stays valid unless I inform you otherwise. I will
announce the changes, if any in the class lounge and by email but you need to pay
attention to what goes on and check the class lounge and email frequently. Talk to me
freely if you have any questions, concerns and problems.
Grade Distribution:
89% – above
79- 88%
69 – 78%
59- 68%
Below 59%
A
B
C
D
F
Final grade is based on a straight scale in accordance with district’s policy. But the
borderline cases are decided to your advantage based on your interest, commitment and
quality of your writing in the discussion board postings. If you do not participate in the
weekly discussions actively, I will either drop you from the class or lower your grade by
one level. Good luck. This is a fun and rewarding class with lot of information that are
used in your future decision making.
Posting on discussion – Participation in threaded discussions
Students must participate in all threaded discussions. I will post the question in the
discussion Board on the first Monday of each week and you must post your thoughts on
the topic by Sunday night ( 10 pm) of each concluding week. You are expected to do
one original posting with your thoughts and comments (10 points) on the posted topic and
one reaction to others’ posting ( 5 points). You cannot do both postings on the same day.
They must be done on different days during the week. I also discourage you from doing
the posting at the last minute on the last day as I believe that last minute posting is an
indication of poor planning and poor performance. Ignoring this will result in lower
grade. Anything posted after the due date and time will not get any credit . You will be
graded on your participation and the quality (or thoughtfulness) of your contribution to
the postings. Quality can come in the form of making insightful comments, asking
probing questions, using your critical thinking skills, listing references you used among
other things. Your posting must be at least half a page length. Do not wait until the last
minute post your comments.
Please Note: To make it convenient and easy for you, I have set 10 pm on Sunday of
each week as the deadline for all submissions.
Please remember, this is a 4 week course moving at a jet speed covering the entire
semester material. This class is fun and very rewarding but you must keep up with the
reading, postings and preparing for the test each week to reap the maximum benefit.
Quiz/test dates, material and study questions to focus on, along with the specific
dates to complete the other activities are listed in the “ Class Schedule” link on the
home page.