California State University, Sacramento
Department of Economics
Econ 135- Money and Banking
Spring 2016
Instructor: Dr. Min Min Thaw
Email: minmin.thaw@csus.edu
Office: BNC 1019
Office Phone: 916-278-4624
Office Hours: Mon and Wed 9:50 to 10:50
a.m.; Tue and Thur 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. or
by appointment
Prerequisite: ECON 1A
Class Time: MWF 11 to 11:50 a.m.
Mariposa Hall 1001
Course Description: Examines the role of financial markets, the banking system, and the
Federal Reserve System in the economy. Included are an introduction to present value
and the behavior of interest rates, analysis of money creation, and evaluation of monetary
policy (University description).
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students will have furthered their
understanding of economics and will have attained more specialized knowledge of the
content area. Students will demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter in their ability
to analyze current economic issues relating to the course topics. Students' skills in
critical thinking, listening and writing will be developed by the various course activities.
Students will also become more aware of the value structures that underlie decisionmaking.
Textbook: Money, Banking, and Financial Markets, 4edition by Steven Cecchetti and
Kermit L. Schoenholtz, McGraw-Hill. An earlier edition of the book will also work for
this class.
You are required to register for this course through Connect website:
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/m-thaw-spring-2016
Please see the last age of this syllabus for detailed instructions on how to register.
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Grading:
Citizenship and Group Discussion
Homework Assignments
Two Midterm Exams
Comprehensive Final Exam
05%
25%
40% (20% each)
30%
The curve looks roughly like this:
89+ A and A79 to 88 B+, B, and B69 to 78 C+, C, and C59 to 69, D+, D, and D
Below 58 F
Please notice that the curve will be adjusted according to the relative performance of the
class.
Exams: Each exam will consist of multiple choice questions and short essay questions.
The essay questions will be evaluated and graded based on your demonstration of your
understanding of the concepts and the clarity of your writing. All exams are closed
books, and close notes.
You are responsible to bring a Scantron form (#882-E) and a simple calculator. No cell
phones or note cards are allowed. No make up exams will be given unless there has been
a major catastrophe and I have been notified in advance.
If you are sick, you need to provide me with a physician’s note that clearly states that you
could not have taken a midterm or final on the date it was given. Merely being seen by a
physician is not sufficient. Failure to provide a legitimate university excuse will result in
a zero on the exam. Grade of incomplete will not be given.
Homework Assignments: Homework assignments will be completed online. I
encourage you to have high-speed internet connection when doing homework
assignments. Computer problems are NOT an excuse for missing assignments.
No late homework will be accepted. Due dates for all assignments will be posted on
Connect online. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete the assignments.
International trade is a challenging subject, and thus, most students find the assignments
challenging. However, your performance/grade in class is positively related to
understanding and being able to solve the homework assignments.
I strongly encourage you to work through and analyze the assigned problems carefully as
they will assist you in preparing for the exams. Make sure to seek out help from me or an
economic tutor when you encounter problems. When answer keys are available after due
date, please make sure to review them.
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Class Policies: Regular attendance is expected. You are responsible for all work missed
due to absences. Get the missed notes from a classmate as soon as possible following
your absence to maintain a flow of materials.
Should you have reason to come to class late or to leave class early, please feel free to do
so, but remember that all missed work is your responsibility. Please be courteous in
entering and leaving a lecture and make all attempts not to disturb your classmates.
Academic honesty is expected. You are encouraged to work together and help each other
in studying and working on homework. However, work submitted for grade must be that
of an individual student. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism as described in the
University policy may result in an “F” grade, should there is an evidence of cheating in
the exams or in homework assignments.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability
documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss your
accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.
Tentative Course Outline with Firm Exam Dates
Week
3: February 8
Topic
Syllabus
Introduction and Money &
the Financial System
Financial Instruments,
Markets and Institutions
Future Value, Present Value
& Interest Rates;
4: February 15
Bonds, Interest Rates, Term
Structure
1: January 25
2: February 1
Reading
Chapters 1 and 2
Chapter 3
Chapters 4 and 5
Chapters 6 and 7
Chapter 7 (continued)
Midterm I Review: Wed,
Feb 24
5: February 22
Midterm I: Friday,
February 26
6: February 29
Stocks and Derivatives
7: March 7
Foreign Exchange
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Chapter 7 (continued)
Chapters 8 and 9
Chapter 10
8: March 14
9: March 28
Financial Intermediation &
Depository Institutions
Financial Industry Structure
& Regulation
I
Chapter 14 (continued)
Midterm II Review: April
6
Chapters 11 and 12
Chapters 13 and 14
10: April 4
Midterm II: Friday, April
8
11: April 11
Central Bank, The Fed and
ECB
Chapters 15 and 16
12: April 18
The Central Bank and the
Money Supply
Chapter 17
13: April 25
The Monetary Policy
14: May 2
Exchange Rate Policy and
Money Demand
15: May 9
Money Demand and
Monetary Policy
Chapter 18
Chapters 19 and 20
Chapters 20 and 21
Final Exam Review: Friday,
May 13
Final Exam: Monday, May 16 from 10:15 to 12:15 p.m.
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Connect Student Registration
CSU, Sacramento - Professor Thaw
Step 1: Follow Connect section web address provided by Instructor. Click
Register Now.
Step 2: Enter your email address and click Submit.
Step 3: If you do not have an existing Connect account, you will be taken to
the next step. If you have an account, enter your password and click Sign
in.
Step 4: Registration options1. Connect Student Access Code
• Purchase from Bookstore.
• Beware of invalid codes if purchased elsewhere.
2. Purchase Connect online
• Allows full access to Connect and SmartBook/LearnSmart.
3. Get courtesy access
• Two week full Connect access.
• Can upgrade when courtesy access expires (not required).
Step 5: If necessary, create your McGraw-Hill Education account.
Need Help?
Tech Support & FAQ:
Call: (800) 331-5094
Email & Chat: www.mhhe.com/support
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Friday ● 7 AM - 8 PM
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(All times Central)
Find more support at: www.connectstudentsuccess.com
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