FALL 2011 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS (ECON 2301)

FALL 2011 MACRO ECON

CAMERON: SYLLABUS & COURSE OUTLINE

MACROECONOMICS FALL 2011 REGULAR START {16 weeks Lecture}

Econ 2301

I. Instructor's Name: PAMELA CAMERON, B.S., M.A., PhD.

II. Brief instructor bio: Welcome to the class! Dr. Cameron is a highly experienced professor, having taught undergraduate and graduate economics (and statistics) at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Phoenix and here at HCC. She is also an experienced business person. She was the President of, and partner in, a well-known Economics consulting firm in the Washington, D.C. area. She has chosen to teach because of a desire to share that experience, and help her students compete in the market for the best, and highest paying, jobs. She is only too glad to answer any and all of your questions. So, please, pull up your chair and enjoy learning about how markets operate, and how those markets affect you.

Office Location and hours:

8am-11:00 am TTH WL CLASSROOM TBD

3-3:30 pm TTH HUB Stafford room 208

OR 5-8:30 pm TTH WL CLASSROOM TBD

Please fill free to ask and I will try my best to accommodate you. It has been my experience that most students will try to see their instructor either before or after class and this is fine, as long as I am not rushing off to another class. Otherwise, please stop by Room 208 in the Learning Hub between 2 and 3 pm on TTH. Or email and we will set up a time.

Preferred contact method:E-mail: [email protected] AND

Alternate contact method: [email protected]

My students and their success are very important to me. I am almost always available to answer your questions. Feel free to come by Room 208 of the HUB or any of the West Loop classrooms anytime . If I am there I will happily address your concerns. If not, email me, and we will find a time to meet. More importantly, feel free to ask any question at any time during your class.

III. Course Meeting Days, Times and Location:

CRN	Course Number and Name	Day	Times	Room
54886	ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics	TT	8-9:30 @ WL		TBD
54883	ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics	TT	7-8:30 @ WL		TBD

IV. IV. Course's Catalog Description and Prerequsites:

ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics

Prerequisites: Must be placed into

college-level reading and be placed

into MATH 0308 (or higher) and be

placed into ENGL 0310/0349 (or

higher) in writing.

Credit: 3 (3 lecture)

Macroeconomics examines the fundamentals

of the American economy as it relates to

social welfare. Emphasis is on basic concepts

and theories as they affect domestic and

international markets. This course integrates

behavioral social sciences to present solutions

to real world problems. Macroeconomics

includes measurements of GDP, fiscal and

monetary policy. Core Curriculum Course.

Textbook: Arnold, Roger A. ECONOMICS 10E ISBN-13: 978-0-538-45285-4; ISBN-10: 0-538-45285-4, SOUTH-WESTERN Cengage Learning [ (you can use a3 hole punch version if available at the bookstore or the hardbound full edition-which covers macro and micro-- or the paperback splits as long as you also purchase the Aplia). Online purchase from the publisher [South-Western Cengage Learning, www.cengagebrain.com ] is likely to be more affordable than the same purchase from the bookstore. ]

On Line Subscription: -APLIA www.cengagebrain.com. This is necessary to complete homework assignments and to help you, the student, better understand the course material . You are given a code to register when you buy the APLIA. You would then use the link provided by the Instructor to get into the class where you do your homework. Remember this homework system is designed to force students to read the material BEFORE they come to class and hear the lecture. Please check the website weekly for homeworks that are due, as they will expire and cannot be brought back. Repeat: once the homework has expired, it will not be made available again .

V. CATE none apply to this course

VI. Format of course, objectives and methods: Course format is mostly lecture, with the objectives given below. The instructor will, through lectures from the text, discussion of examples from the news, by working problems on the whiteboard, and other digital and non-digital techniques convey the theory and its application. We will discuss current events in class and you will be responsible for anything which we cover in class.

Main Course Objectives: Student should be able to achieve the following by the end of the class.

1.Since scarcity is the problem, and price is the mechanism by which any society’s limited resources are allocated among competing uses, the overall objective is for the student to understand how price gets determined in market economies.

2. Student will understand and be able to apply the concepts of supply and demand and market equilibrium, what causes a change in supply or demand or equilibrium, and be able to show all this graphically. Be able to draw the supply/demand graphs and use them to explain what happens to price and output when there is a change in either supply or demand. Similarly, the student must understand and be able to use such concepts/tools ( in the Supply and Demand analyses) as Opportunity Costs or the Production Possibilities Frontier.

3. Student will describe and be able to calculate and apply the concept of elasticity, particularly the price elasticity of demand. Be able to use the formulas to calculate elasticity and use the calculated values to analyze the impact of elasticity on variables such as revenue and explain the role of elasticity in the supply and demand analysis.

4. Student must understand and be able to use the

Aggregate Supply and Demand (AS/AD) Model. . Describe verbally and graphically how government can control or influence GDP, inflation and unemployment rates. You must be able to explain Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy, and be able to apply these concepts to the current market conditions. Students should be able to interpret the AS/AD model changes and explain them in terms of the effect on the economy; eg on inflation, on unemployment, on income and on output of the economy.

`5. Student will understand and be able to describe verbally and graphically how the Federal Reserve can control or influence GDP, inflation and unemployment rates. Compare (verbally and graphically) the use of Fiscal Policy to that of Monetary Policy or Supply Side options , which requires an understanding of Monetary Policy, and the ablility to apply the Aggregate Demand and Supply model , how money supply is related to interest rates and how interest rates are related to Investment and Aggregate Demand. These and other concepts will be used to evaluate current market conditions. Using the AS/AD models students must be able to take a change described in the news or a hypothetical situation change and explain it using the model to show the impact/s on real output/GDP, inflation, output, and employment.

VII. Associated websites and textbook:

Arnold 10E OFFICE HOUR VIDEOS. If you miss a lecture or, if you find that you simply did not understand a particular lecture or chapter in the book, you have the opportunity to go to an online video of the textbook author, Arnold, giving a lecture on that topic . This is part of your Aplia, and is available free.

On Line Subscription: -APLIA www.cengagebrain.com. This is necessary to complete homework assignments and to help you, the student, better understand the course . You will be given information on how to register in class.

Department website:http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/courses/social-behavioral-sciences/economics-homepage/

Please look at the department website for additional useful and fun economics related websites.

VIII. Required Textbook

Textbook: Arnold, Roger A. ECONOMICS 10E ISBN-13: 978-0-538-45285-4; ISBN-10: 0-538-45285-4, SOUTH-WESTERN Cengage Learning

IX. Lab times- This course has no lab, but the APLIA assignments are practical problems similar to test questions that give the student practice with applications of economics. You, the student will find them to be very useful.

X. ADA Statement-Any student with a DOCUMENTED disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide ONLY the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. If you have any questions please contact the counselor, Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909 (Southwest campus) as soon as possible to make the necessary accommodations. The counselor will inform instructors on the recommended accommodations. If you still have questions contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165.

XI. BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM Your Instructor welcomes classroom participation. This includes attendance as well as verbal participation in class including, but not limited to: Answering the instructor‘s questions, being alert and awake for each class period and refraining from inappropriate classroom behavior. The Department and your instructor cordially ask that you refrain from inappropriate classroom behavior which includes, but is not limited to: Talking in class, touching or attempting to touch another student, throwing any object at any time, interrupting the instructor or another student, being unprepared for class, not bringing necessary materials to class and snoring.

XII. As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.

XIII. Academic Honesty: A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, showing that the coursework has NOT been learned. And that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules won’t help you.

When you submit work in this class, you certify that it is your own work and that you are not submitting the work of others or doing any of the following: 1. Looking on another student's paper, 2. copying another student's work, 3. plagiarism in any form, 4. talking during any graded assignment, 5. receiving or giving unauthorized information before or during a graded assignment. Cheating includes, but is not limited to the aforementioned items. To better facilitate academic honesty, YOU MUST TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING ALL TESTS. THAT MEANS YOU CANNOT USE THE PHONE FOR A CALCULATOR DURING A TEST.

Basic rule: Avoid the very appearance of evil. This means avoid those things that even appear to be cheating, Remember, cheating will get you a zero on the assignment or test. .

XIV. Attendance Policy: Student success is enhanced by regular class attendance. Each day in the class in important and being in class on time is critical to achieving success. I want you to succeed in this class and it is important to me, but it must be important to you as well. It is requested that students first contact the instructor should any extraordinary problem occur. An extraordinary problem is one that causes you to miss 2 or more consecutive classes or 3 or more hours of class. Your in-class grade may suffer as a result of absences. An extraordinary problem is NOT the flu or a wedding in the family or your car broke down.

The department takes the following position: “ It is essential that you do not take a casual attitude toward course attendance and participation. Student absences are HIGHLY correlated with LOW grades. Please come to each class prepared to thoughtfully discuss the material for that day. Being unprepared will likely adversely affect your grade. “

HCC policy is that a student MAY be dropped from a course after 6 class hours have been missed. The policy in this class is that you will be dropped if you miss 6 class hours (4 TTH classes) or more. If you anticipate any major problems with attendance, see your instructor immediately and get the situation resolved.

PLEASE CONTACT THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE TO DROP ANY CLASS. After the drop date, no W’s can be given. ALL STUDENTS WILL BE ASSIGNED THE GRADE OF A, B, C, D, F or I. The grade of I will only be assigned to a student under extraordinary circumstances. A grade of FX may be introduced by HCC and, if so, will be explained at that time.

XV. NOTICE: Please be aware that students who take a course for the third time or more must now pay significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. At HCC it is an additional $50 per credit hour. Also, the state of Texas has passed a new law limiting students to no more than six withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available. If you are earning a B or C, and are considering withdrawal so as not to lower an “A” average, it is even more important to confer as described above. Your success depends on you, but we are here to help you if we can.

XVI. Grading policy- Computation of Final Course Grade:

If your average is: 900- 1000 points your grade will be A; 800-899 B; 700-799 C; 600-699 D; Below 600 will be an F.

Tests and Final Exam: 600 points There are 3 equally weighted exams (200 pts.), no ‘final’, but the third test is comprehensive. The last test, test 3, will be given on the final day of class.

APLIA: 200 points 200 points will come from your Aplia homework. There will be 12 assignments, and I will take the best 10 of 12. This is an online program which provides sample questions (practice) for the student to work.

Outside Articles : 200 points You will also be asked to submit 10 news article summaries . These will be written in your own words, typed and worth 20 points each. No summaries will be accepted after April 1. Period. See directions at the end of this syllabus.

XVII. Course requirements: Other than the basic mathematics and the ability to use the computer for research and Aplia, there are no additional course requirements. See section IV.

.XVIII. Student Learning Outcomes: As stated also in section VI.

Main Course Objectives

4. Student must understand and be able to use the

XIX. Instructional Objectives:

Instructional Objectives : enable my students to meet all of the Objectives described in Section VI and XVIII above. This includes, lecturing, providing good feedback, using alternative methods to gain understanding and working directly with students to help them

achieve success by tutoring, mentoring and providing clear lectures and assignments that are productive.

XX. Make up policy:

Late work is not acceptable. As a dedicated college student, it is your

Responsibility to complete your assignments on time. All assignments. As discussion concerning your assignments will be ongoing during the class, you may ask questions about the projects any time during the semester. Your questions are welcomed, and as you are probably not the only student wanting the information, your questions may help others as well. So, please, ask questions in class!

Make-ups are not allowed: No make-ups will be given for class assignments or tests. Students missing exams one or two will have exam three count twice. There is no makeup for exam 3, given on the last day of class. No extra credit will be available for any reason. No late assignments and no late Aplia homeworks will be accepted.

XXI. Course Calendar: remaining date for test 2 will be provided within the first month. Due dates for your Aplia homework will be posted with the homeworks. Go to Aplia at least 2-3 times per week. You article summary directions are given below

Instructional Topics/Tentative Schedule: (see textbook for specific chapter topics)(Note: Instructor reserves the right to alter this schedule to meet optimal teaching rates for student comprehension, for Force Majeure or other reasons as deemed necessary.) It is expected that the chapters be read prior to the class meeting to which those chapters correspond. A key purpose of Aplia is to force students to read the material before they come to class and hear the lecture on a given topic, as well as to provide sample or practice questions in preparation of the tests. Always check to see if you have a homework due. Ch denotes ‘chapter.’

Week/Dates	Topics	Assignment(s)	Week/Dates	Topics	Assignment(s)
1	Overview & Ch 1&2 Production Possibilities, Opportunity cost	Read chapters 1-2 and check Aplia for Homework	9 10/25 10/27
8/30 9//1		Read chapters 1-2 and check Aplia for Homework	9 10/25 10/27
2 9/6 9/8	Ch 3 Supply and Demand	Read chapters, articles for paper, and do Homework	10 11/1 11/3	Review and TEST 2	.
	Ch 3 Supply and Demand			Review and TEST 2	.
3 9/13 9/15	Ch 3 Supply and Demand, equilibrium	Read chapters and do Homework	11 11/8 11/10	1
	Ch 3 Supply and Demand, equilibrium			1
4 9/20 9/22	Ch 3 Price floors, price ceilings and non equilibrium, elasticity	Read chapter and Homework	12 11/15 11/17

5 9/27 9/29	Review & TEST 1	Study for TEST 1 tests for TT classes will be on Thursday unless otherwise stated	13 11/22
	Review & TEST 1
6 10/4 10/6			14 11/29 12/1	REVIEW FOR TEST 3,
				REVIEW FOR TEST 3,
7 10/11 10/13			15 12/6 12/8 TEST 3 COMPREHENSIVE	Review for and take comprehensive test 3.

8 10/18 10/20			16 12/13 12/15 FINALS WEEK

XXII. Other important information:

1 You will be graded on your demonstrated understanding of the the material. Showing up and taking the tests is not enough. You must understand the material and be able to apply the theory to real life situations and hypothetical situations .

2 Start reading articles about the economy now. Bring your questions in to the class and we will discuss them. Please.

3 You may bring one notebook sized piece of paper to each test. You can write on both sides, and put anything you want on that paper. What you can’t do is use your neighbor or your phone. Any question about it, and I will pick up the paper and it will automatically be assigned a zero grade.

4 LATE POLICY: To avoid being counted absent, see me after class if you come in late. IMPORTANT : If you must arrive late, please enter quietly and take the nearest seat available so as to minimize the disruption to the class. Continued disruptions and you will be withdrawn from the course.

5 As regards the Summaries of the news, there is no late policy. I will not accept a late paper, and I will not accept more than two summaries in any one week. That means you cannot leave it to last minute. Each summary is 20 points. Those points add up. So take your assignments seriously.

XXIII. HCC Core Curriculum Statement: "For information regarding HCC's Core Curriculum,

see P. 46 of the HCC Catalog. For information about HCC's Social Sciences Exemplary

Educational Objectives, see P. 59-60 of the HCC Catalog."

XXIV. EGLS₃-- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System

At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.

OTHER INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS

ASSIGNMENT: Summary of news articles INTRUCTIONS : THESE ARE NOT RECOMMENDATIONS, THEY ARE REQUIREMENTS:

Each summary must be in your own words. If you quote, you must put is in quotation marks [ “ “ ] AND you must cite it, or it is PLAGIARISM!!
Start each by giving the Source, the Article name and the Date.
Each must have at least one paragraph summarizing the content of the article, and at least one paragraph explaining how the article relates to the economic theory which we are discussing or have discussed in class [and which you are reading in your text.]
Each summary must be typed and double spaced .
Each summary must be at least two pages and no more than three.
No more than 2 summaries will be accepted per week.
Each must be on a topic relevant to the economic theory we are discussing in class or it will be assigned a zero grade.
No summaries will be accepted after the week which includes April 1.
Each is worth 20 points, and there are 10 required.

XXV. FREE SERVICES! FREE!

*FREE TUTORING on campus will begin with second start.

*FREE PLAGIARISM CHECKS are available online – at HCC askonline, and online generally (just use your search engine to find one._Finally,

*FREE PROOFING of papers is also available at askonline. So, there is no excuse for a bad paper.

OTHER HELPFUL SOURCES:

You can find current articles in the Houston Chronicle by going to www.chron.com . This is FREE!. You may not access the archives, however, without a subscription. You can use your parents subscription number, if they subscribe. Or, go to any other major paper. CNN also provides free articles as does the Wall Street Journal. The business section of any major news paper is a good source.

Some good websites for finding data series, and government releases on GDP, Unemployment Rates, INFLATION, business cycles and other economic variables:

. http://www.econlib.org/library/sourcesUS.html#now

. http://www.usa.gov/

www.BLS.gov

www.FED.gov

www.hccs.askonline.edu

http://swc2.hccs.edu/e-tutor/

Try googling for any industry data put out by the auto manufacturers themselves. There is usually an association of manufacturers in every industry.

.In general, Your Textbook is where you should start for information. Use it to find information on Fiscal Policy and how it works (the Theory section of your paper) as well as to find out what your text says about the Great Depression. Remember to source any data used. And, remember to discuss the data and its significance to your topic.

Course Information

A syllabus hasn't been posted for this course yet.