MACROECONOMICS
ECON 161
Spring 2016
DR. Ahmad Vessal
TIME and PLACE: MW 12:30-1:45 PM
OFFICE: JH4130
Tel: 818-677-5921
Johnson Auditorium
E-MAIL: ahmad.vessal@csun.edu
MW 11:15 AM-12:15 PM, 2:15-3:15 PM, or by appointment
Introduction:
This course in Macroeconomics provides a common sense approach to economics, covering basic
economic laws and how they apply to our world and everyday life. The course is designed to give
students the knowledge to:

apply appropriate social scientific methods to collect data, analyze, evaluate, explain,
and/or solve problems in social relations and human behavior;

demonstrate an understanding of how social problems impact individuals, communities
and societies.
Course Contents:
Describe the market system using graphic presentations.
Recognize and relate the future impact of the global economy upon our way of life.
Identify and diagram the expenditure and income approaches to national income accounting, and
evaluate the value of key economic statistics used in everyday life.
Distinguish between various phases of the business cycle, documenting the characteristics of
unemployment and inflation.
Review the concept of how best to stabilize the business cycle differentiating between the
Classical and Keynesian approaches.
Define and construct the Aggregate Supply and Demand Curves in an effort to formulate
additional economic analysis.
Review Keynesian economics via fiscal policy. Acquire additional knowledge concerning
government spending, taxation, and national debt in an effort to stabilize the business cycle.
Describe the functions of money and its usage in establishing monetary policy.
Acquire knowledge of the Federal Reserve System and its functions in relation to the money
supply.
Identify and describe the tools of monetary policy in regard to the Federal Reserve System.
Differentiate among the various schools of economic thought in regard to stabilizing the business
cycle.
TEXT: Macroeconomics, McConnell & Brue, McGraw Hill, 20th ed. 2015.
Connect Access Code: as a stand alone item or bundled with the Macroeconomics
book. This is the address to obtain the access code:
https://connect.mheducation.com/class/a-vessal-mw-1230-sp-16
Examinations:
You are responsible for ALL material covered in class, whether in the text or not. Exams are
equally weighted and will consist of multiple choice questions. If you are more than 30 minutes
late, you will not be allowed to take the exam. You must use a scantron form [882-E] for every
exam. You may not use cell phones, extra paper, or books, including dictionaries and electronic
books during exams. You may not wear headphones. Once you begin an exam, you may not
leave the room until you are done with the exam. There are two midterm exams and a final.
Exams are equally weighted but if your grade on the final exceeds your midterm scores, the final
exam will be counted 40% and midterm exams 25% each.
Make-Up Exams: There are NO MAKE-UP EXAMS
COURSE EVAUATION
Evaluation criteria will be assigned as follows:
Exam1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Homework
30%
30%
30%
10%
HOMEWORK: There will be weekly homework assigned using the Connect software.
Homework will be due every Sunday night at 11:59 PM. The homework is worth 10 points.
You get two attempts to answer the questions and I will take the average score. Late work
will be given partial credit. Do your assignments early to keep last minute emergencies from
getting in your way. You should check the Connect website regularly. Any assignments and class
announcements will be on it.
I use the following grading system:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
93-100 Scholarly work; DEFINITELY SUPERIOR
90-92
Superior
85-89
A little above solid work
80-84
Solid work
75-79
Deficient in one critical area
70-74
Deficient in two or more critical areas
65-69
Lacks understanding of the process
60-64
Poor
50-59
Very poor
0-49
Failing
Tentative Class Schedule
Jan.25
Limits, Alternatives, and Choice, Ch.1
Jan.27
The Market System and the Circular Flow, Ch.2
Feb.1
Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium, Ch.3
Feb.3
Ch.3 Continued
Feb.8
Market Failures: Public Goods and Externalities, Ch.4
Feb.10
Ch.4 Continued
Feb.15
An Introduction to Macroeconomics, Ch.6
Feb.17
Ch.6 continued
Feb.22
Review
Feb.24
Mid-term Exam
Feb.29
Measuring Domestic Output and National Income, Ch.7
March 2
Ch.7 continued
March 7
Economic Growth, Ch.8
March 9
Business Cycles, Unemployment, and Inflation, Ch.9
March 14
Basic Macroeconomic Relationships, Ch.10
March 16
Ch.10 Continued
March 28
The Aggregate Expenditure Model, Ch.11
March 30
Ch.11 Continued
April 4
Review
April 6
Mid-term Exam
April 11
Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply, Ch.12
April 13
Fiscal Policy, Deficits, and Debt, Ch.13
April 18
Money and Banking, Ch.14
April 20
Money Creation, Ch.15
April 25
Ch.15 Continued
April 27
Interest Rates and Monetary Policy, Ch.16
May 2
Ch.16 Continued
May 4
International Trade, Ch.20
May 9
Ch.20 Continued
May 11
Review
Dec. 16
Final Exam (12:45-2:45 PM)
*Policy on Academic Dishonesty: University rules prohibit cheating, fabrication, facilitating the
academic dishonesty of another student, and plagiarism. If you engage in any of these activities in
this class, you can expect to receive a failing grade. A letter will be sent to the appropriate
campus officials. “Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus is
listed in Section 41301, Title V, California Code of Regulations, as an offense for which a student
may be expelled, suspended or given a less severe disciplinary sanction.”
*Drop Policy: According to University policy, non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal; to
withdraw from this class you must file a drop form with the University. If you fail to attend this
class, and you do not formally drop the class, a "WU" (unauthorized withdrawal), the equivalent
of a failing grade, will be recorded.
*During the first three weeks of instruction, students may withdraw online. After Friday, Feb. 12,
drops are not permitted. Exceptions are granted or denied by the Office of Undergraduate Studies
if there is a "serious and compelling reason" and "there is no viable alternative" (a viable
alternative includes taking a failing grade and repeating the course). Changes in work schedule,
etc., will generally not be considered a sufficient reason. "Complete Medical Withdrawals" (all
classes are dropped due to medical problems—yours or those of someone you care for) are
processed by the Health Center.
*Incompletes: A grade of "Incomplete" will only be assigned when most of the course has been
completed with a passing grade. This is only permitted when unforeseen circumstances arise that
preclude finishing course work related to a class. According to University policy, an incomplete
may not be assigned when a student would have to retake a course.
*Center on Disabilities: http://www.csun.edu/cod/studentservices.htm, 818.677.2684,
Bayramian Hall 110. The Center on Disabilities serves students with a wide range of visible and
hidden disabilities, in a confidential environment. Students are encouraged to meet with the
professional staff and explore the services available to support their academic, career and
personal goals. Discover accommodations and strategies for help with disabilities in an academic
setting.