PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
SPRING 2016 CRN# 21157
INSTRUCTOR:
Jessie Folk
LECTURE:
Monday and Wednesday
2:00 – 3:15 PM
ATKINSON 109
OFFICE:
Atkinson 433
OFFICE HOURS: TBD
OFFICE PHONE: 478-445-2415
EMAIL:
WEBSITE:
jessie.folk@gcsu.edu
http://jfolk.gcsu.edu
TEXT:
Macroeconomics: Principles and Applications, Sixth Edition
Robert E. Hall and Marc Lieberman
(Digital copy included with Aplia registration)
REQUIRED REGISTRATION: Aplia
ADDITIONAL TOPIC HELP:
KHAN ACADEMY
SUPPLEMENTAL
INSTRUCTOR (SI):
EMAIL:
Austin McTier
austin.mctier@bobcats.gcsu.edu
COURSE OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVE
Why are some countries rich while others are poor? What causes inflation and unemployment, and why
do they differ across countries? Addressing questions like these is the object of macroeconomics, which is
the study of an entire national economy. The overall objective is to help you develop the economic way of
thinking, especially when evaluating news and policy proposals related to the macro-economy. More
specifically, my hope is that you will have a basic understanding of the pervasive role of scarcity and
incentives; the role of prices and interest rates in allocating resources; and the causes of economic
growth, employment and inflation.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is expected and highly recommended. If you miss a class period, then you are responsible
for getting the class notes (from a classmate) ~ I DO NOT HAVE A COPY FOR YOU.
If you are absent when graded work is returned, you will have to wait until the next class period to
receive your grade. I will NOT e-mail any grades. I will not give your graded work to anyone else,
unless arrangements have been made beforehand.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Aplia problem sets
Exam 1
Exam 2
40%
30%
30%
Your final grade for the course is determined on a standard 100 point scale:
A: 90% to 100%, B: 80%-89%, C: 70%-79%, D: 60%-69%, F: 59% and below.
DO NOT ASK FOR EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS!
APLIA PROBLEM SETS:
There will be mandatory problem sets available online through the website Aplia.com. These problem
sets will reinforce the concepts discussed in class and will be beneficial in preparing you for the exams.
The two lowest scores will be discarded. Your Aplia average will be determined using a weighted
average, meaning “points earned divided by total points.” Instructions for accessing the problem sets
are included at the end of this syllabus, as well as the class website.
SI STUDY SESSIONS:
This course has a supplemental instructor, who will be conducting study sessions throughout the
semester. There will be approximately 16 – 20 study sessions in total. You are not required to attend
any sessions; however I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to
the study benefits, you will receive 2 bonus points for each (complete) session attended, which will
then be added to your Aplia scores. (Example: Your Aplia grade is 356/438 = 81.3%, but you’ve
attended 6 study sessions. 12 points will be added so your grade will be 368/438 = 84%)
*I will have more details regarding location and times of the study sessions after the semester begins.
EXAMS:
There will be two mid-semester exams. Exam questions will reflect information and ideas presented
both in lecture and the assigned readings.
TENTATIVE EXAM DATES:
EXAM 1: W ED FEB 24TH
EXAM 2: W ED APR 27TH
IF YOU ARRIVE LATE TO TAKE THE EXAM AND ANOTHER STUDENT HAS ALREADY TURNED IN THEIR EXAM AND LEFT THE ROOM,
YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE EXAM AT THAT TIME.
To reduce the potential for cheating:
 You may not wear a hat with any sort of bill in front during exams.
 You may not have your cell phone out during the exam.
 You will not be allowed to share calculators during an exam.
 You will not be allowed to leave the classroom during an exam
 You will not be allowed to have earbuds in during the exam.
MAKEUP EXAM:
If you miss an exam, then you will be required to take a comprehensive make-up exam during finals week.
MAKEUP EXAM:
FRI MAY 5TH 1:00 PM
*If you miss more than one exam, with excused absences (as defined by the university or as determined by
me), then I will deal with that on a case-by-case basis.
GOING OVER EXAMS:
We will go over each exam during class, but you will not be allowed to keep the exam booklets. Those
will remain in my office.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:
Anyone feeling that a dispute exists after the grading of an exam may submit a written grievance. The
grievance should identify the item in dispute and provide arguments supporting the student’s
position. Grievances must be submitted by the end of the class period in which the exam is returned.
Please note that “what I meant to say” is not a sufficient argument; your appeal should explain why
what you wrote deserves more credit.
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
Jan 15
Last Day to drop/withdraw (no fee penalty)
Jan 18
MLK, Jr Holiday
Mar 1
Midterm feedback
Mar 7
Last Day to drop (no academic penalty)
Mar 21 – 25
Spring Break
May 2
Last day of classes
May 3 – 6
Final Exam Week
May 11
Grades will be posted by this date
Common Class Policies
The other standard class policies are available at the following link:
https://economics.gcsu.edu/general%20syllabus%20statements.htm
TOPIC OUTLINE
Chapter 1 - What is Economics?
Chapter 2 - Scarcity, Choice, and Economic Systems
Chapter 3 - Supply and Demand
Chapter 4 - Working with Supply and Demand
Chapter 5 - What Macroeconomics Tries to Explain
Chapter 6 - Production, Income and Employment
Chapter 7 - The Price Level and Inflation
Chapter 8 - The Classical Long-Run Model
Chapter 9 - Economic Growth and Rising Living Standards
Chapter 10 - Economic Fluctuations
Chapter 11 - The Short-Run Macro Model
Chapter 13 - Money, Banks and the Federal Reserve
Chapter 14 - The Money Market and Monetary Policy
Chapter 12 - Fiscal Policy
Chapter 15 - Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Chapter 16 - Inflation and Monetary Policy
Chapter 17 - Exchange Rates and Macroeconomic Policy
Note: The instructor reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the outline during the semester.
Students will be notified in advance if such changes are made.
For additional explanation of a specific topic, you can access videos on most topics at Khan Academy
http://khanacademy.org
Further Note on Attendance:
It is the responsibility of students to be cognizant of their own record of absences and to consult the instructor
regarding work missed. The decision to permit students to make up work rests with the instructor. At any time during
the semester an instructor has the right to assign a grade of F for excessive absences when a student exceeds the
number of allowable absences specified in the instructor’s attendance policy distributed to the student in the
instructor’s course syllabus. If a student is representing the University in an official capacity, as verified on a list
released from the Office of the Provost, the instructor will not penalize the student for those absences. However,
students should consult their instructor before anticipated absences.
Students who wish to have their instructors notified of a medical or family emergency necessitating their absence
from classes, or who wish to provide documentation in support of a request for excused absences, make-up work, or
grades of "W" or "I" due to an emergency, may contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The
Student Affairs staff will inform students about procedures, assist with communication to instructors, receive and file
documentation, and advise students regarding their own self-advocacy; however, the final determination of excused
absences, make-up classwork, and grading is determined by the instructor. Approved University Senate, 2010
How to access your Aplia course
Macro Spring 2016 (2pm)
Instructor: Jessie Folk
Start Date: 01/11/2016
Course Key: QYAK-7KRL-5LHY
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