ECO-3203.U01
Intermediate Macroeconomics
Prof. Alan Gummerson
Spring 2011
Texts:
Blanchard, Olivier. Macroeconomics. 5th Updated edition. Pearson. 2010.
ISBN: 978-0-558-93428-6. This is a loose-leaf special printing available only in the
FIU bookstore that includes only the chapters we will cover in the course. Shrinkwrapped with the text and included in the price (about $83 total) is a code which will
give you access to MyEconLab, Pearson’s website where you will do homework
online for course credit. Buying access to MyEconLab separately will get access to
the full electronic version of the text, but I suspect it will cost more than the hard
copy of the partial text + access code in the bookstore.
Course Prerequisites:
Principles of Macroeconomics and Microeconomics, plus competence in high
school algebra and geometry.
Course Goals:
Intermediate Macroeconomics is one of two basic theory courses for students
majoring or minoring in economics. It is designed to familiarize the student with:
 The basic facts about the macroeconomy
 The methods of analysis used by economists
 The fundamental theories of how the values of the main macroeconomic
variables are determined
 The basic controversies about the trade-offs involved in policy interventions.
Course Requirements and Grading
Scores on three equally-weighted exams will determine 90% of the grade in
this course. Scores on the online homework will determine the other 10% of the
course grade.
Each exam will have 20 multiple choice questions each worth three points for
a total of 60 points, and two essay/analysis questions worth 20 points for a total of
40 points. At the end of the semester, grades will be assigned on a curve based on
the total number of points earned on the three exams and the homework, properly
weighted. There will be no extra credits available.
Every student should have at least one “buddy” to contact to get notes from
classes missed or for questions about assignments, times of exams, etc.
Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of Academic Misconduct:
Students should become aware of FIU’s definitions of and polices toward
academic misconduct. The University’s policies may be found on the FIU website
at: Academic Misconduct and Code of Academic Integrity.
Office: DM-315B
Email: gummerso@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-348-2381
Website: www.fiu.edu/gummerso
Office hours: TBA and by appointment