Summer 2011
COURSE TITLE: Introductory Macroeconomics
COURSE NUMBER: Economics 120
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. James Devine, 4227 U-Hall, phone: 8-2948, jdevine@lmu.edu.
COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS COVERED:
Introduction/review of basic economics. Analysis of the behavior of the national economy as a whole,
together with such issues as the determination of gross domestic product, the unemployment rate, the
inflation rate, interest rates, and the long-term economic growth rate. In addition, global issues such as
the role of the exchange rate and the balances of trade and payments will be discussed.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this course, students should demonstrate a solid understanding of modern macroeconomics
at the introductory level. They should be able to think analytically using both verbal and quantitative tools
applied in this course to solve both theoretical as well as practical (real-world) problems. They should
appreciate the importance of economics in human endeavors and the value of rigorous economic training
for evaluating social phenomena.
PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND: None, except reading, writing, and
'rithmetic.
REQUIRED TEXTS/REFERENCES:
Krugman & Wells, Macroeconomics, newest edition.
plus: photocopied readings on library reserve and class hand-outs.
COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS:
Lectures, discussions, homework. Three exams.
COMMENTS: This course is required for the economics major and for business majors.