Minot State University
Division of Social Science
Economics Department
ECON 202: PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
(Spring 2010)
Instructor: Dr Daniel Ngugi
Course Time: Tuesday and Thursday: 9.30 – 10.45 AM (3297)
Venue:
ADMIN BLDG RM 359
Email: Daniel.Ngugi@minotstateu.edu
Phone: 701- 858 - 3135
Office location: 350 Administration Building
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 2.00 PM – 4.00 PM, or by appointment.
Course Description: Nature, method, and scope of economic analysis; nature of
economic growth; inflationary tendencies and unemployment; economic fluctuations,
aggregate demand and supply, monetary and fiscal policies.
Course objective: To introduce you to the economic way of thinking as well as basic
concepts of the national economy including, economic growth, taxation, economic
fluctuations, unemployment, inflation, aggregate demand, aggregate supply, monetary
and fiscal policies.
By the end of the term, you should be able to:
explain the basic concepts of
macroeconomics listed above, critically analyze and explain general economic issues
and problems facing the nation using the economic way of thinking, explain economic
tradeoffs required by society in allocating scarce national resources.
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Text Books and Materials
Required Text: Hall, R.E and M., Lieberman. Economic Principles and Applications.
4th ed. Thomson South-Western. 2008.
Additional Text: Economics For Life: 101 Lessons You can Use Everyday! 2 nd ed.
Bruce Madariaga. Thomson South-Western. 2008
APLIA. Online Testing Tool. Access to Aplia comes with your textbook. You can also
purchase it separately from the bookstore or online at cengage.com
Additional Materials: Available online at cengage.com
Weekly Readings You are strongly encouraged to read a chapter ahead of the
instructor in order to enhance your involvement in and return from the class.
ERES: Course materials including the syllabus; notes; Problem Sets; class notices,
and the like, will be available on the class webpage at ERES, the online platform
operated by MSU library. This will be the main avenue of communication with you.
Make sure to visit the class page frequently preferably before the end of day. You will
be responsible for any materials and notices posted on ERES. To access ERES, go to
http://nellie.misu.nodak.edu:81/eres/courseindex.aspx?error=&page=search and search
for Ngugi under “ instructor”
field. If you have problems accessing or navigating the
site, seek assistance from any MSU librarian.
Course Requirements
Exams: Three midterm exams and a final will be given. You are allowed to drop one
midterm exam of your choice. If you miss an exam due to illness or other
circumstances, that will serve as your dropped exam. The exams will consist primarily
of multiple-choice questions with the possibility for one or two essay-type questions.
Problem sets will also serve as practice exams. Solutions will be available after the
problem sets and exams.
Problem Sets: Ten problem sets will be made available on our ERES class page at
various times throughout the semester. Collaborative work is encouraged but each
student must turn in an independently composed set of answers. Problem sets will be
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due the first five minutes of class, typically, one week from the day of posting.
Absolutely NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Makeup: There will be no makeup exams or problem sets.
Exams, problem sets, attendance and participation will be weighted as follows:
Problem Sets: 10-12……………………………………………………….….……..
20%
Best Two Midterm Exams (20% each) …………………………………………...
40%
Final Exam……………………………………………………………………………
30%
Class participation and attendance ……………………………………………….
10 %
TOTAL..................................................………………………………………........
100%
Course grades will be assigned as follows:
Weighted Percentage of Possible Points
Grade
90 - 100
A
80 -89
B
70 - 79
C
60 - 69
D
0 - 59
F
Depending on overall class performance, the above ranges may be altered toward the
student's advantage but not the other way around.
Attendance is expected unless excused by the instructor in line with the MSU
attendance policy. You will be allowed to miss two class sessions for reasons such as
sickness, or family emergencies. Beyond that, you will automatically lose 1% points for
every session missed. If you must miss an extra class for a justifiable reason
(participating in college sports), you may get excused absence from the instructor, but
you must contact the instructor by e-mail at least two weeks in advance (for foreseeable
events) or immediately you become aware of the need. Be prepared to furnish the
instructor with proof of reason for such absence.
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Class Participation is expected. Make sure to ask and answer questions and contribute
to discussions.
Important Dates: The Final exam will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 10 - 11.50
AM in the regular classroom.
Dates for the Midterm Exams will be announced in class typically five working days in
advance and also posted on ERES.
Housekeeping
Course Tutoring: Tutoring is available for this class. It can be arranged by visiting with
the Disability and Tutoring Support Services located at Luna Manor Hall. The director,
Evelyn Klimpel, can be reached at 701 858 3371. Her email address is
evelyn.klimpel@minotstateu.edu.
Course Communication will ideally be made in class and/or online at ERES. I may
occasionally use email to communicate with you so make sure to check your email
routinely. Communication made via email will be considered official. You are
responsible for checking your emails with regard to course related matters. I will try to
respond to emails within 24 hours during the workweek. You may communicate by
calling my office if the matter is urgent or you cannot access your email, beware
however that I do not check my voicemail as routinely as I do my emails.
Academic Integrity will be expected and enforced in line with the university policy.
Make sure you do and submit your own work and give credit for legitimate help or
reference you get from others.
Tips for Success: This is not an easy course. You will need to put extra effort beyond
attendance to get a satisfactory grade. Read the text ahead of class, take notes, pay
attention to figures, use practice problems at the end of each chapter and don’ t wait
until the last minute to begin cramming stuff, talk to me if you are having problems.
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Students with Disabilities: Students requiring help with disabilities are encouraged to
communicate your needs with me and to utilize MSU’ s disability services. Please call
or visit with Evelyn Klimpel, Disability and Tutoring Support Services, 701 858 3371.
Her email address is evelyn.klimpel@minotstateu.edu.
Sickness: If you are taken ill during the semester, or you are simply overstressed, seek
free medical and counseling assistance at the Student Health and Development Center
– 701 858 3997.
Gadgets: Laptops, and cell phones will be shut off in class except with my specific
consent.
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Tentative Course Outline
Week
Topic
Chapter
1
Math Review
1
What Is Economics, Why Study Economics
2
Scarcity, Choice, And Economic Systems
2
3
Supply And Demand
3
4
Working With Supply And Demand: Government Interventions,
4
Elasticity Of Demand, Market Equilibrium.
4
Midterm Exam I
1-4
5
Economic Growth, Unemployment And Aggregation
17
6
Production, Income And Employment
18
7
Price Level And Inflation
19
8
Classical Long Run Model
20
9
Economic Growth And Living Standards
21
9/11
Midterm Exam II
17 -21
10
Spring Break (March 15 – 19)
N/A
11
Economics Fluctuations
22
12
Short-Run Macroeconomic Model
23
13
The Money Market And Monetary Policy
25
14
Aggregate Demand And Supply
26
15
Inflation And Monetary Policy
27
15/16 Midterm Exam III
22 - 27
16
Fiscal Policy, Spending, Taxes And The National Budget
28
17
Exchange Rates, Trade And Macroeconomic Policy, As Time
29
Allows
18
Final Exam
Select
Chapters
END OF SEMESTER
HASTA LUEGO!
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