Macroeconomics
Econ 101
Laughlin
Spring 2006
Mondays
Macroeconomics looks at the way economic units interact in the larger economy. In this course the focus will be on aggregate measures of the economy, including national income accounting, aggregate supply and demand, inflation and unemployment measures, international trade and theories of stable economic growth. In addition, money, banking and the Federal Reserve system will be investigated.
In addition to the skills specific to macroeconomics, you will learn many common or
"portable" skills. When you master these "portable" skills you will be able to transfer them to other school or work situations. The "portable" skills for this class include communication skills such as listening, reading and writing, cognitive skills, such as creative thinking, analysis and synthesis, problem solving and quantitative reasoning and interpersonal skills, such as social interaction and teamwork.
We will incorporate the discussion of ethics in our class in the classroom and
Blackboard discussions. In addition, there is the opportunity for you to be part of a larger discussion Wednesday afternoons.
Schedule of Wednesdays for weekly seminar meeting: 2 – 3 p.m. in room ES – 19.
Open to the entire community. Students who formally enroll will receive one unit of credit o We anticipate allowing discussion to extend to 4 p.m. if necessary, and films will be shown beginning at 3:30 p.m. o All speakers’ presentations, discussions and films will be open to the entire campus community. o Connected Occasions will be such offerings as panel discussions, performances, exhibitions, guest speakers. o The book: Being Good: A Short Introduction to Ethics, by Simon Blackburn, published by Oxford UP is recommended reading in this class.
Instructor Information :
Teresa Laughlin
Economics, History and Political Science Department
P-17F e-mail: tlaughlin@palomar .edu phone: (760) 744-1150 x2851

Office Hours : Monday: 9:00-9:30a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 -9:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 9:00-9:30a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00-11:00a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.
Virtual Office Hours : I check my e-mail regularly, so feel free to e-mail me with a question, concern, or comment.
The text used in this course is Economics Today, 12 edition, by Roger Miller. The study guide that accompanies the text is strongly recommended as a way of reinforcing the readings and lectures. In addition, there will be readings that will be provided by the instructor.
The Palomar college library and the internet are great sources of information that can be used by the student. The library hours are:
Fall/Spring 2005/06
San Marcos Campus
Mon. - Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
Sun.
8:00 am - 9:00 pm
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
9:00 am - 1 pm
CLOSED
Escondido Center
Mon. - Thu.
Fri.
Sat. - Sun.
8:00 am - 8:00 pm
8:00 am - 12:00 Noon
CLOSED
Feb. 17, 2006
Feb. 20, 2006
Mar. 24-26, 2006
May 29, 2006
Library Holiday Schedule 2005/06
(also closed Mon. Jan. 16, MLK Jr. Day)
CLOSED FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, & SUNDAYS
Other Closed Dates
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
Lincoln's Birthday
Washington's Birthday
Spring District
Holiday
Memorial Day

Assignments : There will be three (50 point) examinations, three (25 point) problem sets, one (50 point) paper, fifteen (10 point) quizzes, fifteen (5 point) discussions, and one (100 point) comprehensive final examination. A standard scale is used to determine grades (i.e. 90% + of the 600 points possible earns an A, 80 - 89% earns a
B etc.).
Assignment Explanation:
Exams: The examinations, including the final exam, will be a mix of multiple choice and short essay questions.
Problem Sets : The problem sets are a mix of numerical problems and essay questions. I encourage you to form study groups and work together, but you must separate to write your own essays. I will not accept late problem sets, because we
go over them in class.
I suggest that you take a Xerox copy of your problem set answers to study from before you turn in the original.
Paper : The two-page paper is an analysis of the one of the guest speakers that will be on campus April 5 th and 6 th . You will briefly describe what the speaker’s thesis is, and critically analyze his/her point of view using the models and concepts that we have learned in this class. You may rewrite this paper as many times as you wish to earn the grade you desire.
Discussions: The weekly discussions can be accessed in the discussion board part of
Blackboard. Every week I will pose questions or make comments that you will be required to respond to. The discussion grade will be determined by the number and quality of the postings and responses. You must post at least once and respond to another student's comments at least once in order to get credit for the discussion . So, you MUST POST AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK to receive credit for the discussion!
Responses like: "good point." or "I agree" do not count for credit.
The discussions will be kept going for two weeks at which time I will close the discussion. So week one's discussion will be open until the beginning of week three and so on.
Quizzes: The quizzes will be on the chapters in the textbook. You will take these quizzes in Blackboard. You will be required to take the 10 point quizzes electronically on each of the twenty chapters in the textbook. The weekly quizzes must be completed by Monday at 9:00 a.m. I will accept no late quizzes, but I only count the top 15 quiz scores for a total of 150 points. See the Course calendar for dates.
Attendance :
To succeed in this class it is important to attend the class regularly, ask questions, read the material and enjoy the process. I encourage questions, comments and any general relevant conversation. It is crucial to be engaged in the learning process. Active learners are much more successful than passive learners. You need to arrive to the class ON TIME, turn off your cell phones and pagers, and immerse yourself in the process. If you are going to be absent for any length of time, please contact me so we

can arrange for make-up work.
Additional Housekeeping details:
I will drop the "no show" students on the first day of class; however, after the first day it is the student's responsibility to drop the class if it becomes necessary. The “no notation” drop date is: February 15, but you can drop with a “W” until March 11 th
I expect that you will adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. According to the Palomar College Course Catalog, that includes:
1. Honesty
2. Trust
3. Fairness
4. Respect
5. Responsibility
One Problem that is rampant is Plagiarism. Whenever you use another’s ideas or words without citing your source, it is plagiarism. It is increasingly easy to plagiarize with the internet, but it is also increasingly easy to catch plagiarism. If you plagiarize, you will receive a zero on the assignment and/or an F in the class.
On-Campus Support Services :
Counseling, guidance, & Career Development: 744-1150 x2184
Admissions & Records: 744-1150 x 2171
Matriculation: 744-1150 x2197
Student Affairs: 744-1150 x2595
Student Support Programs & Services: 744-1150 x 2177
Health Center: 744-1150 x2380
Learning colleagues :
It is beneficial to have a contact or two or three in each class so that you can get assistance with assignments, information if you miss a class, or just someone to have coffee with before class.
Name________________________________________________
Telephone Number_____________________________________ e-mail address__________________________________________
Name________________________________________________
Telephone Number_____________________________________ e-mail address__________________________________________
Name________________________________________________
Telephone Number_____________________________________ e-mail address__________________________________________
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

Feb 20
Feb 27
Mar 6
Mar 13
Mar 20
Mar 27
Apr 3
Apr. 10
Mondays:
Jan. 23
Jan. 30
Feb 6
Feb 13
Apr. 17
Apr. 24
May 1
May 8
May 16
Topics:
Overview, Scarcity
Readings:
Ch. 1 & 2
Opportunity cost Graphic Analysis, Production Possibilities
Demand, Supply, Equilibrium
Disequilibrium
Quizzes on Chs. 1 & 2 due no later than 9 a.m.
The circular flow of economic activity,
The public sector
Quizzes on Chs. 3 & 4 due no later than 9 a.m.
Problem set #1 due 2/6/06
Test #1 2/13/06
Quizzes on Chs. 5 & 6 due no later than 9 a.m.
Holiday
Chs. 3 & 4
Ch 5 & 6
Macro problems and goals
Measuring economic performance
Quizzes on Chs. 7 & 8 due no later than 9 a.m.
Chs. 7 &8
Economic Growth
AS/AD in the long run, Natural rate of employment
Quizzes on Chs. 9 & 10 due no later than 9 a.m.
Chs. 9 & 10
Classical and Keynesian Macro analysis
Consumption, MPC, Multipliers
Quizzes on Chs. 11 & 12 due no later than 9 a.m.
Chs. 11 & 12
Spring Break!
Fiscal Policy, Deficits and the National Debt
Problem set #2 due 3/27/06
Quizzes on Ch. 13 due no later than 9 a.m.
Test # 2 4/3/06
Chs. 13
Money!!!!
The Fed
Money creation and the banking system
Quizzes on Chs. 14 & 15 due no later than 9 a.m.
Monetary Policy
Paper due 4/17/06
Quizzes on Chs. 16 & 17 due no later than 9 a.m.
Chs. 14 & 15
Ch. 16 &17
Issues in stabilization
Problem set #3 due 4/24/06
Quizzes on Ch. 18 due no later than 9 a.m.
Test #3 5/1/06
Ch. 18
Global Economics International Finance
Quizzes on Chs. 32 & 33 due no later than 9 a.m.
Last day to turn in any late work or make-up any tests May 8, 2006
Chs. 32 & 33 final exam: Time TBA