Econ 2020
Classroom: Sangren Hall 2210
Office:
5314 Friedmann Hall
Office
Phone:
(269)387-1086
Email: Jing.Cai@wmich.edu
Homepage:
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~j3cai
Office
Hours: Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, 11:00-12:15pm
Course Description and Objectives:
This is an introductory course in
macroeconomics. The general issues discussed in the course include the analysis
of national income determination, inflation and unemployment, banking, monetary
and fiscal policy, and aggregate economic growth, from a variety of
macroeconomic perspectives.
This course develops your
ability to reason accurately and objectively about macroeconomic issues. It
will expose you to very useful tools including problem solving and analytical
thinking. By the end of the course, you should be able to understand the
working of various macroeconomic models and the impacts of fiscal and monetary
policy on the economy.
Textbook: N. Gregory Mankiw,
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics, Fourth
Edition (ISBN#0-324-23697-2).
We will follow the book. However, chapters
and topics covered in each class and dates may vary depending on the progress
of individual class sessions.
Examinations: There are three midterm examinations and
a final examination. Take this course only if you can take all four
examinations as scheduled. Examinations cannot be taken earlier or
later. A score of zero will be given for any examination with an
unexcused absence.
There
are no make-up examinations for the midterms. For students who miss a
midterm, but have a reasonable excuse supported by legitimate documentation,
the score from the final exam will be counted twice. For example, if a student
with an excused absence misses a midterm, and makes a
Students who miss
the final examination, and have a reasonable excuse supported by legitimate
documentation, will receive an “incomplete” grade and be scheduled
for a make-up final examination. A request for taking the make-up final
exam must be approved by the instructor.
Students with
disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office of Disabled Student
Resource and Services, 387-2116. Thereafter, you are invited to see me to
discuss accommodations and special needs.
Assignment: There will be four assignments throughout
the semester. The assignments will be multiple choices helpful to practice on
theoretical framework and essay questions utilizing current events. Each of the
assignment will worth 5% out of your final grade. You are responsible to submit
the assignment on the due date and a delay will affect your points.
Tentative Schedule for the Exams:
|
EXAM |
DATE |
COVERAGE (subject to changes to be announced in
class) |
|
1st Midterm |
Friday, Feb.2 |
Chapters 4, 5,6 |
|
2nd Midterm |
Wednesday, Feb.28 |
Chapters 8, 9,10 |
|
3rd Midterm |
Monday, Apr.2 |
Chapters11, 12, 13 |
|
Final Exam |
Monday, Apr.23 (10:15 am- 12:15pm) |
Chapters 15 and 16 |
Grading Policy: Your course grade will be determined on
the base of a weighted-average of the follow assignments.
First
midterm:
20%
Second midterm:
20%
Third
midterm:
20%
Tentative
grading scale:
90 and
above: A
85-89.99:
BA
80-84.99:
B
75-79.99:
CB
70-74.99:
C
60-69.99:
DC
50-59.99:
D
49.99 and below:
E
The
University Academic Honesty Policy:
You are
responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and
procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog (pp.274-276) that pertain to Academic
Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and
forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If
there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you
will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the
opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible,
you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you
are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an
assignment or test.