MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE NUMBER:  ECO  210                                    INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Hines.     

 

COURSE TITLE:        Principles of Macroeconomics      TELEPHONE:  738-7755

                                                                                                                   776-3739             

Instructor E-Mail:        HINESB@MIDLANDSTECH.EDU

 

PREREQUISITES:    RDG 100; ENG 065; MAT 155                  CLASSROOM:  WM 453    CREDIT:                    3 semester hours                                      OFFICE:             WM 411

 

OFFICE HOURS:     

                                  

                                     

                                        

            

TEXT:             Macroeconomics, McConnell & Brue, 17th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2008

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

This course includes the study of fundamental principles and policies of a modern economy to include markets and prices, national income accounting, business cycles, employment theory and fiscal policy, banking and monetary controls, the government’s role in economic decisions, and economic growth.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

Upon successful completion of this course, each student will be able to:

 

a.         Describe the fundamental goal of economics as a science and explain the use of the “scientific method” in the study of economic institutions and the behavior and interaction of individual decision makers. 

 

b.         Explain the relationship between scarcity, choice and economic interaction.

 

c.         Explain the relationship between demand and supply, the concept of free market equilibrium, and the role of price in allocating scarce resources.

 

d.         Describe the major measurements of economic performance.

 

e.         Explain the role of money in the macro economy and the role of the Federal Reserve in controlling the rate of growth of the money supply, interest rates, and inflation.

 

f.          Explain the major theories of economic stability/instability and how fluctuations in output,    employment, and the price level are related.

 

g.         Explain the application of government fiscal policy to achieve economic stability and          the long-run impact of federal government budget deficits.

 

h.                   Explain the relationship between the U.S. and  other nations with respect to international trade and finance

 

ATTENDANCE:            Students are required to attend 85% of scheduled class meetings.  Therefore, the maximum number of allowable absences for classes meeting three times a week is six (3).  For classes meeting twice a week, the maximum number of allowable absences is four (4).  There is no such thing as an excusable absence!!   A student who exceeds the allowable number of absences will be withdrawn and assigned a grade of “W” or “WF.”   Students who are not present when the roll is called, or leave early, will be considered absent for purposes of determining compliance with the attendance requirement.  Students are responsible for all material covered and announcements made during any period of absence.

 

 

GRADE SCALE:

 

A  =  90-100

B  =  80-89

C  =  70-79

D  =  60-69

F  =  BELOW 60

 

 

GRADE COMPUTATION:

 

Each student’s final grade will be determined by the average of four(4) tests.  Each will account for 25% of the students final grade. Students are required to be present for all tests and examinations.  No student is entitled to a makeup test.  Makeup tests will be provided only in exceptional cases in which the student provides clear and convincing evidence of a serious illness or emergency that absolutely precludes attendance.  The burden of proof rests with the student and the final decision is within the sole discretion of the instructor.

 

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:    If special accommodations are needed for students with disabilities, the student should contact the Disabilities Resource Center for assistance.  That office is located on the second floor of the Wade Martin Building.  Documentation regarding a specific disability is required for accommodation arrangements.  Confidentiality of the information received will be maintained.

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Content:            The following schedule is provided to assist students in planning their workload. It is subject to announced change at the discretion of the Instructor.

 

 

Week                                                  Reading Assignment

 

 

1                                                                                                      Chapters 1

 

2                                                                                                      Chapters 2 and 3

 

3                                                                                                      Chapters 3 and 4

 

4                                                                                                          Test # 1

                                                        Chapter 5

 

5                                                      Chapter 6

                                                                                               

                                                     Chapter 7

                                                            Test # 2

 

                                                      Chapter 8  

8                                                       Chapter 10  

 

9                                                       Chapter 11

 

10                                                      Test # 3

 

11                                                      Chapter 12

               12                                                      Chapter 13

 

                13                                                     Chapter 14

 

                14                                                    Test # 4