Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences Division
Student Syllabus and Assignment Calendar - Summer 2012
ECON 102-91 Principles of Macroeconomics
June 18 – July 13, 2012
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
To access Blackboard you will need to log into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: Successful completion of ECON 101 with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent.
Introduction to the American economic system with emphasis on macroeconomics including
national income accounting, employment theory, and fiscal and monetary policies.
Professor Information:
Ms. Heather R. Williams
Instructor of Economics and Business
Office: ICN 2009
Office phone: (309) 268-8569
Heather.Williams@heartland.edu
Office Hours:
Wednesday: 10:00 -2:00 pm
Through email
And by appointment
Textbook:
Edwin G. Dolan (2010) Economics, Redding, CA BVT Textbooks 4th ed.
bvtpublishing.com offers practice exams for each chapter and other information which
may help you with your exam performance.
There is a copy of our textbook on reserve at the HCC Library. This copy may not be
checked out.
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Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transferability:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
Beliefs:
Student’s Role:
Learning and retaining the information in this course is your responsibility. You are expected to:
read the material prior to due dates, participate in online discussion, and submit assignments on
time. You will benefit if you pay attention to national and international news that pertains to
economics, business, political science and foreign policy. The responsibility of student learning
is shared with the instructor. It is important for you not to fall behind.
Instructor’s Role:
My role is to help you in the educational process. I am available to talk with you about this
course or anything else that directly or indirectly concerns your education at HCC. If you need
help or have concerns that cannot be handled in class, please see me after class, during my office
hours, or make an appointment. It is important for you not to fall behind.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the concepts of scarcity, choice, and efficiency. (CT2, PS2)
Demonstrate a knowledge of the role of the government in the U.S. economy. (DI1, DI3)
Demonstrate an understanding of the measurements of inflation and unemployment.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the economic consequences of unemployment and inflation. (CT1)
Demonstrate a knowledge of aggregate demand and aggregate supply, as well as U.S. fiscal
policy. (CT3, PS3)
Demonstrate a knowledge of fiscal policy and how it affects national employment and output.
Explain some shortcomings associated with fiscal policy, and describe how fiscal policy impacts
the federal deficit and international trade. (CO2, DI1, DI3)
Demonstrate a knowledge of the U.S. banking system and monetary policy. (CT3)
*Additional information regarding the College learning outcomes can be found on the HCC
website: http://www.heartland.edu/committees/assessment/genedoutcomes.html
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COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
The following topics (tentatively) are to be covered during the instructional process:
Introduction to Economics
The economizing problem
The production possibilities curve
Economic systems and planning
The simple circular flow model
Demand and Supply
Economic Functions of the Government
Measurement of Economic Performance
Determinants of GDP
Macroeconomic Instabilities
Unemployment and inflation
Equilibrium Income and Employment
(household, business and international sectors)
Aggregate Demand and Supply
Fiscal Policy
US Money and Banking System
Money Creation
US Monetary Policy
Exchange Rates and Balance of Payments
Study Suggestions
a.
Log into Blackboard several times each week.
b.
Keep abreast of assignment due dates.
c.
Develop a weekly study plan (make flashcards or keep a list of important topics and
terms).
d.
Read and study the required textbook pages each week.
e.
Review online chapter notes and supplementary materials.
f.
Complete assignments ahead of due dates.
g.
Follow the assignment instructions closely.
h.
Ask for clarifications when needed.
i.
Check your Heartland email regularly
j.
Contact Ms. Williams with any questions or comments throughout the term.
HCC Portal:
Just a reminder that to access Blackboard, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will
need to log into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu.
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Class Conduct:
All students will treat each other with RESPECT at all times. Please do not be disrespectful
when interacting with other students in class. Always provide constructive criticism to help
one another become better students and understand economic theory. Students are responsible
for all readings and material covered in class.
Any form of cheating, including on exams, will not be tolerated. Consequences for cheating
will include receiving a zero for the assignment, quiz or test, and notification to the HCC
Academic Integrity Committee.
Sorry, but hats may not be worn on test days in the testing center. If you have a complaint, an
informal conference may be scheduled; if the problem is not resolved you are encouraged to
follow the student academic appeal process.
Class Cancellations:
You will be notified in advance of class cancellations, when possible. All HCC class
cancellations are listed on the HCC website. Go to http://heartland.edu/classCancellations .
Communication:
Regularly check your myHeartland email account and Blackboard for updates. Please only
email me from your BlackBoard email account. Include a Subject in your email
correspondence.
The Blackboard Discussion Board is an excellent tool where you may ask questions and the
entire class can view the question and response. FERPA laws prohibit grade or attendance
information from being supplied to parents or spouses if you are 18 or older.
Makeup Work:
Homework, quizzes, and tests submitted after the due date will not be accepted!
Only if you have a valid reason, with documentation, for missing an exam, may you receive full
credit. I reserve the right to determine what is considered a “valid reason”. Again, there is no
makeup work available.
Student Participants or Students involved in HCC Sanctioned Activities:
If you are a student athlete, or are involved in other college sanctioned events that may conflict
with this class, you are required to abide by the following HCC Policy for the Equitable
Treatment of Students Participating in College-Sponsored Events.
Student Participants are required to:
1. Inform instructor at the beginning of the semester of their affiliation with a student
organization and of scheduled absences through a formal letter from the organization
they will be representing.
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2. Inform instructors of specific classroom absences two weeks in advance, or if that is
not possible, as soon as the absence is known.
3. Request from their instructor the opportunity to complete evaluated coursework and
exams prior to the College-sanctioned event which will cause their absence, and take
responsibility to make up any work that has been missed by adhering to the
instructor’s policies regarding making up missed coursework. In the event of a
disagreement regarding the Instructor’s policy, the student will discuss it first with the
instructor, and if no resolution can be achieved, the student will proceed through the
Student Appeals process as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Disability Support Services:
Heartland Community College offers Disability Support Services (DSS) with offices located in the
Academic Support Center. DSS ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to the college’s
programs, services and activities through the provision of reasonable accommodations as outlined in
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DSS offers a wide range of services to support students with disabilities, including: assistive technology,
document conversion services, personnel, classroom and testing accommodations. Students with a
documented disability who wish to discuss academic accommodations can contact disability support
services at (309) 268-8259.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: This course has a total of 400 Points.
Grading Scale:
Chapter Outlines
Exams
Paper 1
Paper 2
-Topic
-Research Question
-References
-Outline
-Literature Review
-Final Draft
BlackBoard Homework
Discussion Board
Discussion Board Reply
Student Forum Posts
Quantity
Points (each)
Percent of Grade
7
3
1
10
50
15
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
3
5
5
5
5
15
15
10
10
5
5
17.5%
37.5%
4%
12.5%
10%
10%
5%
4%
Examinations will consist of Multiple Choice, Short Answer and Essay Questions. Both papers
1 & 2 will be written in APA format. Paper 1 is four pages long, and Paper 2 is nine pages long.
Each of the seven outlines will be a minimum of two pages long, single spaced, correct spelling,
sentence structure and outline structure. Each of the four discussion board posts are one page
essays, single spaced, with correct spelling and information from two sources.
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Letter grades will be based on the percentage of points earned in the course in accordance with
the following scale:
Percentage:
A = 100%-90%
B = 89%-80%
C = 79%-70%
D = 69%-60%
F = Below 60%
Points Needed:
400-360 points
359-320 points
319-280 points
279-240 points
239 & below
All assignments and examinations must be completed according to the due dates on the course
Assignment Calendar. Students are encouraged to complete assignments well ahead of due
dates.
Important Dates:
Class Begins
Drop/100% Refund date
Independence Day Holiday
(College Closed)
Withdrawal date
Final Exam/ class ends
June 18, 2012
June 19, 2012
July 4, 2012
July 6, 2012
July 13, 2012
Library:
http://www.heartland.edu/library/
Library Hours:
http://www.heartland.edu/library/hours.do
Changes in this Syllabus, or course Assignment Calendar, will be communicated to students in
advance.
Due Dates:
June 18
Class Begins
June 19
BlackBoard Homework 1
Discussion Board 1
June 20
Outline Chapter 17 & 18
Paper 2 Topic
June 21
Discussion Board Reply 1
June 22
Paper 1
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Paper 2 Research Question
June 26
Discussion Board 2
Paper 2 References
June 27
Outline Chapters 19 & 20
June 28
BlackBoard Homework 2
Discussion Board Reply 2
Paper 2 Outline
June 29
Test 1  Exam in the Testing Center at HCC Normal Campus
July 3
Paper 2 Literature Review
Discussion Board 3
Outline Chapters 21 & 22
July 4
Independence Day Holiday
July 5
BlackBoard Homework 3
Discussion Board Reply 3
July 6
Test 2  Exam is essay format online through BlackBoard
July 10
Discussion Board 4
Paper 2 Due
July 11
Outline Chapters 23, 24 & 25
July 12
Discussion Board Reply 4
BlackBoard Homework 4
July 13
Final Exam  Exam in the Testing Center at HCC Normal Campus
Tentative Schedule:
Week – Content
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1 – Ch. Microeconomics Review
Ch. 17 Economic Growth, the Business cycle & Price Stability
Ch. 18 The Circular Flow, Planned Expenditures, Part of Ch. 18 Appendix
2 – Ch. 19 GDP Expenditure & Income Approach, DGP deflator & PPI
Ch. 20 The Banking System, Regulating the Banking System, Financial Crisis 07’/ 08’
3 – Ch. 21 Money, Central Banking & Monetary Policy
Ch. 22 Aggregate Supply, Demand & Equilibrium
4 – Ch. 23 Monetary Policy & Exchange Rates
Ch. 24 Fiscal Policy, Taxes, Spending & Stimulation
Ch. 25 Inflation & Deflation
Review & Final Exam
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