University of Alaska Anchorage
College of Business and Public Policy
Department of Economics & Public Policy
ECON 324
Section 001
MW 11:30 p.m – 12:45 p.m., RH 211
Spring 2016
Instructor: Alexander James (Alex). Assistant Professor of Economics
Office:
RH # 205M
Office Hours: MW 2:30 – 4:00 p.m., or by appointment
e-mail:
alex.james@uaa.alaska.edu
Webpage:
alexandergjames.weebly.com
Textbook:
Macroeconomics, 9th Edition, by N. Gregory Mankiw
Course Pre-requisites:
ECON 201, ECON 202
Course Description:
I love economics.
Economics can be considered a methodology – a structured and consistent way of viewing and
analyzing the world that allows for greater insight. Economics is considered by some to be the
“hardest” social science though subject content is not always distinguishable from that studied by
geographers, psychologists, anthropologists, historians, political scientists and even medical
doctors and lawyers.
This specific course will better familiarize you with macro, or aggregate, economic concepts and
terminology including price determination, unemployment, long-run growth, short-run
fluctuations, interest rate determination, and inflation.
While the format of this course will largely be lecture based, however, student participation is
welcomed and will often be actively encouraged.
Course Objective:
Broadly put, the goal of this course is to make you a more informed citizen and a more skillful
decision maker. Some more specific course objectives are given below:
1. Discuss major macroeconomic theories
2. Explain major macroeconomic results and implications
3. Explain and analyze how public policy actions affect the macroeconomy
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Student Learning Outcomes:
See also the course objective. Some additional and specific student learning outcomes include
the following:
1. Compute the effect of monetary policy on the money supply and inflation.
2. Discuss major long-run growth theories and explain why some countries are poorer
than others (or at least make an educated guess).
3. Discuss macroeconomic goals, activities, and outcomes of government monetary and
fiscal policies.
4. Discuss factors that influence key macroeconomic variables including prices levels,
employment, interest rates, and GDP.
Communicating With Your Instructor
Referring to me as “Alex” is fine. Email is the best way to get in contact with me. Sadly, I check
my email religiously. Please be sure to provide adequate information in your email, including
your name, and the very specific nature of your inquiry. The following is an example of what
your emails should not look like:
“hey i can’t do number 4 on the homework”
Please do not ask me, in person or via email “I missed class, did I miss anything important”. It is
your responsibility to obtain the information covered in classes that you miss. I will post relevant
articles and announcements to blackboard.
Grade Determination
Midterm Exam 1: (25% of grade)
Midterm Exam 2: (25% of grade)
Final Exam: (25% of grade)
Homework: (25% of grade)
Homework. Late work is typically not accepted – but will be under extenuating circumstances.
Assignments will typically be assigned every two weeks, but depends on the specific needs of
the class and the speed at which material is covered.
Grading Scale.
The grading scale is standard.
90% - 100% A
80% - 89 % B
70% - 79%
C
60% - 69%
D
< 60% F
Grading Example:
Midterm 1 = 75/100 = 75%
Midterm 2 = 70/100 = 70%
Final = 85/100 = 85%
Homework = 60/100 = 60%
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
Final
Homework
Total and Final Grade = (.75x.25) + (.70x.25) + (.85x.25) + (.60x.25) = 72.5% =
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Exam policy:
You are expected to take the exam on the scheduled day at the scheduled time. However, if you
provide me with prior notice, exceptions can be made under extenuating circumstances. If you
miss an exam and did not provide me with prior notice, a university excused absence will be
required for you to make up the exam. No cellular telephones may be used during exams.
Calculators are acceptable.
Academic Dishonesty:
As the failed anti-drug advertising campaign of the 1980’s said, “Just say no”. Academic
dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course, and violators will be disciplined to the fullest
extent of University Regulations. Academic dishonesty includes copying the work of any author
and claiming it as your own, copying the work of another student and turning it in as your own
work, allowing another student to copy your work, giving or receiving assistance without
authorization on an examination, and using unauthorized electronic devices or other material
during exams.
Attendance Policy:
If you can do well in this course without coming to class you are bright and should not be
punished. However, I will not be sympathetic should you miss class and hence pertinent
information. Should you come to class, please do so on time. However, as a former
undergraduate, I know this is not always possible. Occasionally being late is not a problem.
Leaving early, even once, is unacceptable under any circumstances unless the instructor is
given prior notice.
Group Work Policy
You may work together on homework assignments. However, what you turn in must be your
own work. This means that you cannot copy a friend's homework right before class! I will know
if this is the case. If I determine that you have copied another student's work, you and the person
you copied from will receive a zero on the assignment. Depending on the infraction, other
disciplinary actions may be considered (see policy regarding academic dishonesty). I consider
cheating/copying a serious offense. I do not expect any students to be found guilty of this.
Classroom Behavior & Courtesy
Your obligations in the classroom include acting in a mature manner that is conducive to
enhancing the learning atmosphere. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to: talking
while someone else is talking, neglecting to turn one’s cell phone on silent or leaving early
without prior notification. Do not use offensive language, disparaging names, or belittle any
person in this course. Every person in this class is deserving of respect and you are expected to
act accordingly.
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Expected Course Outline:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Month Mon/Wed Chapter Concepts
Jan
11/13
1 Macro Fundamentals
Jan
18/20
2 Measuring Macro Variables
Jan
25/27
3 National Income
Feb
1/3
4 The Monetary System
Feb
8/10
NA Midterm 1
Feb
15/17
5 Inflation
Feb
22/24
7 Unemployment & Labor Market
Feb
29/Mar 2
8 Long Run Growth I
Mar
7/9
9 Long Run Growth II
Mar
Mar
Mar
Apr
Apr
Apr
14/16
21/23
28/30
4/6
11/12
18/20
NA
NA
10
11
12
14/15
Spring Break
Midterm 2
Short Run Fluctuations
IS-LM I
IS-LM II Application
TBD (Ch 14, 19, or buffer).
16 Apr
25/27
NA Final Exam
All of the above is subject to change
No Class Jan 18th
No Class This
Week
Friday, Apr 29.
10:00 – 12:45.
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