ECONOMICS 202: PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
Fall 2005 – CRN 82794, LEC 004
TTh 2:30 – 3:45
459 B&E Building
http://www.be.wvu.edu/divecon/econ/douglas
email: sdouglas@mix.wvu.edu
Dr. Stratford Douglas
Office 416 B&E, 293-7863
Office Hours:
Tues 4:00 – 5:00, Wed 2:00 – 4:00
OR BY APPOINTMENT
PREREQUISITE: SOPHOMORE STATUS.
BOOK: Paul Krugman & Robin Wells, MACROECONOMICS. This book will be distributed free, in class.
COMPUTER COURSEWARE: Aplia for Krugman & Wells www.aplia.com. See syllabus attachment.
GRADING:
Two Midterms (50% total),
Aplia Problem Sets & Exercises (15% total)
Cumulative Final Exam (35%), Friday, December 16, 8:00 to 10:00 AM.
SCHEDULE: (Exam dates are firm; Subjects covered on particular days may be adjusted as necessary.)
August 23, 31:
Review: First Principles, Models Krugman Chapters 1-2.
August 25:
NO CLASS MEETING.
Sept 1, 6:
Review: Supply & Demand. Chapter 3.
September 8:
Macro Intro: The Big Picture. Chapter 6.
Sept 12:
Aplia Payment Due
September 13, 15:
Macro Intro: Tracking the Macroeconomy. Chapter 7.
September 20, 22:
Long Run Economy: Long-Run Economic Growth. Chapter 8.
September 27, 29:
Long Run Economy: Savings, Investment, Spending, & Finance. Chapter 9.
OCTOBER 4: FIRST MIDTERM EXAM
(Chapters 1–3, 6−9)
October 6, 11:
Short Run Economy: Aggregate Supply and Demand. Chapter 10.
October 13, 18:
Short Run Economy: Income & Expenditure. Chapter 11.
October 20:
Short-Run Economy: Fiscal Policy. Chapter 12.
October 25, 27:
Short Run Economy: Money, Banking, and the Federal Reserve. Chapter 13.
November 1, 3:
Short Run Economy: Monetary Policy. Chapter 14.
NOVEMBER 8:
SECOND MIDTERM EXAM (Chapters 1-3, 6-14; emphasis on 10-14)
November 10, 15:
Supply Side & Medium Run: Labor Markets, Unemployment, Inflation. Chapter 15.
November 17:
Supply Side & Medium Run: Inflation, Deflation, Stagflation. Chapter 16.
November 29, Dec 1: Open Economy: International Trade. Chapter 18.
December 6, 8:
Open Economy: Open Economy Macroeconomics. Chapter 19.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16: FINAL EXAM, 8:00 to 10:00 AM (All chapters; some emphasis on 15, 16, 18, 19).
WHAT THIS COURSE OFFERS (COURSE OBJECTIVES):
Learn about inflation, unemployment, the banking system, currency exchange rates, the business cycle, and how
government policy affects the economy as a whole. Obtain a richer understanding of key issues facing you as a
participating citizen.
Syllabus
GRADING AND OTHER POLICIES:
Econ 202, Douglas, Fall 2005
• Grades are based entirely on exam scores and Aplia assignments. Exams will consist of multiple choice and
short answer questions.
•
Aplia assignments:
Most assignments come in pairs of practice problem sets and graded problem sets.
− Aplia Practice problem sets give you immediate feedback and an explanation of the correct answer. They
do not count toward your homework grade. Use them to check your understanding of the material. If you
feel confident about the material, you can go directly to the graded set and refer to the practice set only if you
want some help.
− The Aplia Graded problem sets have a firm due date. You can change your answers as many times as you
like before the due date passes. Once the due date passes, Aplia records your grade and you can no longer
change your answers or complete the assignment. In other words, Aplia assignments must be done by the
due date. The software does not understand excuses. Do your assignments early to keep last minute
emergencies from getting in your way.
− After the due date, Aplia displays the correct answers and explanations for graded problems.
• There are NO MAKEUP EXAMS unless you make arrangements at least one week beforehand. If you miss
a midterm for any reason or no reason at all, it gets the same score as your final exam (i.e., your score on the
final exam is entered in my gradebook as your score on that midterm).
• I WILL DROP the FIRST of your two midterm grades but only if the second midterm grade is higher.
The second midterm is comprehensive to that point, and its score will not be dropped.
The Final Exam is comprehensive, and its score will not be dropped.
• Letter grades are based on the following SCALE: F is 0-54%; D is 55-69%; C is 70-79%; B is 80-89%; and A
is 90-100%. Pluses and minuses will be given at the professor’s discretion.
• HONOR SYSTEM: I expect academic honesty from every one of my students. The examination environment will
deter cheating, and any cheater will get an F.
• I am determined to provide an environment that encourages you to learn, regardless of your race, gender,
religion, sexual preference, political views, disabilities, age, etc. You should feel that you have an EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY to learn. If you feel discriminated against, left out, or abused in my class, by me or your
classmates, in any way, let me know and I will fix the problem.
• Contact Disability Services (293-6700) if you are having (or anticipate having) difficulty due to a DISABILITY.
Also, please contact me and I will try to accommodate you in any way that I can.
• IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE please stop by my office for a talk.
The most useful thing for most students is to do practice problems.
Besides the exercises provided in the Aplia website, your book has a website
http://www.worthpublishers.com/KrugmanWells with some helpful materials.
•
Student benefits of Aplia:
Cramming is an ineffective learning method. Aplia lets you learn by doing - you
can apply what you hear and see in the classroom and what you read in the text. Think of the regular
assignments on Aplia as a weekly Economics workout. Regular work in Aplia will better prepare you for
lectures and exams.
COMING TO CLASS also helps a lot:
o All subjects covered on the exams will be covered in lecture.
o There is much more material in the reading assignments than there is in lecture.
o If you pay attention and follow along in lecture, you will create a useful set of lecture notes.
Please do not bring food or drink to class.
Getting Started With APLIA
Econ 202, Douglas
Fall, 2005
You will be using Aplia for this course. Aplia is an online product that contains both a digital
version of the textbook and online homework.
Your course key is:
96UQ-6MG6-BGDG
How to Use Aplia
Your total Aplia homework grade counts for 15% (of your grade. To start earning credit toward your Aplia score,
follow these two steps:
Step 1: Register for Your Aplia Course
First Time Aplia Users:
1.
Connect to http://econ.aplia.com
2.
On the Sign In page, click the Go button next to "Test Your System Configuration"; this takes just a
few seconds and provides detailed information on how to update your system if necessary
3.
Head back to the Sign In page and click the "Register Here" link
4.
Fill out the form and click Continue
5.
Enter Your Course Key (above).
Returning Aplia Users:
1.
Connect to http://econ.aplia.com and sign in using your usual e-mail and password.
2.
Enter your course key (above).
Problems with registration or sign in? You can always e-mail Aplia by clicking on the "Help" link in the upperright corner of any page or by e-mailing support@aplia.com.
Step 2: Pay for Your Aplia Course
1.
Pay for your Aplia course ($40)
•
Your course includes a digital edition (online version) of the textbook as well as interactive
assignments.
•
Instructions on the Aplia website walk you through the payment process.
•
You can pay online with credit, debit, or electronic check. Aplia also accepts money orders mailed to:
Aplia, Inc., 931 Terminal Way, San Carlos, CA 94070.
•
You can view Aplia’s refund policy on textbooks in Aplia’s Terms and Conditions of Use:
http://econ.aplia.com/af/support/terms.jsp?
*Your professor will be providing you with a physical copy of the Krugman/Wells Macroeconomics
textbook at no additional charge. The book is being released in sections; the first of which will be
Chapters 1-9. See your professor for details.
Grace Period for Payment: You may register and use the website until 09.12.05 without paying the fee. If you
are considering dropping this course during the drop/add period, do not make a payment until you decide to stay in
the course. You need to pay the full amount before the end of the grace period to continue using the site.