Syllabus Econ 311 Intermediate Macroeconomics Eschker

Syllabus Fall 2014
Intermediate Macroeconomics
Econ 311
Humboldt State University
Professor Erick Eschker
http://users.humboldt.edu/erick/econ311/

MW 3-4:50pm, 27 Art A

E-mail: erick@humboldt.edu
Phone: (707) 826-3216
Office: Siemens Hall 206 D
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:30-2:00 and by appointment only

Portfolio Reminder for Economics Majors (or possible economics majors): You are REQUIRED to participate in the e-portfolio program for use in Econ 490: Capstone Experience. We will provide directions for setting up a Google Sites account where you can deposit your coursework. TaskStream account holders will be provided with directions for moving over their materials to Google Sites. For Econ 311, you must upload your exams and reflect on how they meet one or more of the economics major student learning outcomes. If you do not upload your materials, you will have a grade reduction in Econ 490.

Tutors may be available through the Tutoring Center. Contact them for details.

Required Readings:
1) Macroeconomics, 2nd Edition, by Charles Jones, 2011. WW. Norton.
2) Course Web Page and Handouts

Recommended Readings:
1) Jones Text Website (http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail-students.aspx?ID=18217)
2) macroeconomics policy/news source such as Challenge, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist or http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/

Course Overview: The goal is for you to be able to apply macroeconomic models to policy-related issues and to be able to analyze and interpret macroeconomic data. We will begin many days with a brief look at current news events. I suggest that you read The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/ or http://www.challengemagazine.com/. These are excellent sources for current economic policy discussion. I hope that by the end of the course you will be able to discuss competing macroeconomic theories and contribute to policy discussion.

Prerequisite: Principles of Economics (Econ 210) and a mathcode of 45 or Math 113 or Math 115 is required for this course. Many students find this course challenging and those who have recently taken math courses will have an advantage.

Learning Outcomes Objectives: You will be able to
1) use macroeconomic models to gain numerical and graphical solutions to problems,
2) explain how sectors and variables in the macroeconomy interact,
3) apply macroeconomic models to current policy topics,
4) retrieve and analyze macroeconomic data,
5) explain the difference between the long run and short run in macroeconomics,
6) critically evaluate the assumptions and limitations of various models, and
7) use technology such as Excel and the Internet to apply macroeconomics.

Course Grade: The grade for this course is based on three parts: Problem sets (25%), discussant paper (15%), two midterm exams (each 20%), and a final exam (20%).

Problem Sets: Problem sets are due at the beginning of class on the day they are due or at the specified time. No late homeworks will be accepted. The best 5 out of 6 scores are counted. I encourage students to find a study group to collaborate with on homeworks. However, each student is to turn in homeworks that they prepared themselves. These problem sets give you practice with the material that I consider most important—they are one of your best study tools for the exams. I will post problem sets at least one week before they are due. Problem sets are due Sept. 17, Oct. 3 (Friday), Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Dec. 1, and Dec. 12 (Friday). Some of the problem sets will require the use of Excel to analyze data.

Discussant Paper: You will act as discussant for a macroeconomics journal article. A discussant at an academic conference is the person with the responsibility of providing valuable feedback to the author and audience. In your role as the article discussant, you will 1) identify the question that the article is trying to answer, 2) explain how the author tries to answer the question, 3) explain the article's conclusion and relevance, 4) give criticisms that you have with the paper, and, importantly, 5) offer your suggestions for making the paper better. The essay will be 3-4 pages long, typed, and double-spaced. Do not hand in a copy of the article with your essay, but instead provide a complete reference so that I can find it if needed. You should reference the economic theory and statistical and empirical terms and concepts learned in class. You must chose an article from Econlit <http://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/journal_list.php>. I must approve the journal article, and you must send me a link to your essay by November 12 for approval. The academic journal article that you are to discuss should be substantial in length (at least 8 pages). The article must be an original piece of research, and not a book review, a dissertation summary, or a summary of a conference, for example. The article must deal with an empirical economic question (not simply theoretical). You will turn in two drafts of your essay, and both will be graded. The first is due Wednesday, November 19 and is worth 2/3 of the score. I will grade and edit this first draft and return to you. The final draft is due Wednesday, December 10. You must turn in your first draft along with the revised draft or you will receive no credit for the edits.

I strongly suggest that you visit the HSU writing center in Library 32 (basement) before you turn in your first draft.

You can read the Grading Rubric and Good Writing Rules and the Essay Suggestions.

Midterms: The midterms will be Monday, October 6 and Monday, November 10. If you will be traveling this semester for HSU activities and have concerns about the midterm dates, please see me in advance. No alternate times will be provided.

Final: The final for this class will be on the official day listed by the registrar’s office: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3pm. No alternate time will be provided.

If you are majoring in Economics or Business Administration, then you will need to earn a grade of C- or above for this course to count towards the major.

Course Policies and Expectations

Make-up exams and special considerations: Exams and assignments not completed by the specified time will receive no credit. Work may only be turned in at another time if arrangements are made prior to the due date and documented, compelling reasons are provided. I will determine which circumstances are compelling. Remember that many difficulties can be avoided if you see me before you miss an exam.

Cheating: The only collaboration allowed is on the problem sets. Exams are "closed book." Any one caught cheating will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Internet Access: This course will make much use of the Internet:
Our homepage is at http://users.humboldt.edu/erick/econ311/. This page contains important course-related information, such as homework solution sets, last-minute exam reminders, and practice exam questions. Please visit it often. I check my e-mail quite often and an e-mail question will likely have the greatest chance for a speedy reply. Many important and last minute materials may be posted electronically. You should make a point to regularly check this class’ Internet sites. I assume you have a functional understanding of, and access to, e-mail and the Internet. If not, please see me or one of the many specialists on campus who can assist you.

Electronic Device Use: Using cell phones and pagers and using laptops to surf the Internet distracts everyone in the classroom. If there is a disruption (such as a cell phone ringing or sending/receiving text messages) during class time, 1/2 of a homework score (2.5%) will be deducted from your overall course grade for each incident. If Professor Eschker's cell phone rings during class, everyone in class that day will receive bonus points equal to 1/2 of a homework score (2.5%). Please silence or set to vibrate cell phones and do not use electronic devices for anything but classroom business. If you need to use a device for a legitimate purpose, see Professor Eschker before class.

Disability Accomodations: Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center in Library 56, 826-4678 (voice) or 826-5392 (TDD). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to arrange.

Add/Drop Policy: The last day to drop this course without a serious and compelling reason is Monday, September 22. HSU recently made it much more difficult to drop courses after this deadline. You should check with the Regisgtrars Office for any updates to these dates.

Emergency Evacuation: Please review the evacuation plan for the classroom (posted on the orange signs), and review Campus Emergency Preparedness for information on campus Emergency Procedures. During an emergency, information regarding campus conditions can be found at: 826-INFO or www.humboldt.edu/emergency .

Course Outline: The following is a guide to the topics we will cover, with corresponding chapters from the text. Adjustments may be made if warranted. UPDATED THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25.

Monday, August 25 Lecture 1 Introduction and Math Refresher, Ch. 1	Wednesday, August 27 Lecture 2 Measuring Economy, Ch. 2
Monday, September 1 No Class--Labor Day	Wednesday, September 3 No Class--Independent Work
Monday, September 8 Lecture 3 Growth Introduction, Ch. 3	Wednesday, September 10 Lecture 4 Production Model, Ch. 4
Monday, September 15 Lecture 5 Ch. 4 Cont.	Wednesday, September 17 Lecture 6 Solow Model, Ch. 5 Problem Set 1 Due
Monday, September 22 Lecture 7 Ch. 5 Cont.	Wednesday, September 24 Lecture 8 Ch. 5 cont.
Monday, September 29 Lecture 9 Endogenous Growth, Ch. 6	Wednesday, October 1 Lecture 10 Ch. 6 Cont. Problem Set 2 Due Friday at 2pm
Monday, October 6 Midterm 1	Wednesday, October 8 Lecture 11 Unemployment, Ch. 7
Monday, October 13 Lecture 12 Ch. 7, Cont.	Wednesday, October15 Lecture 13 Money and Inflation, Ch. 8
Monday, October 20 Lecture 14 The Short Run, Ch. 9	Wednesday, October 22 Lecture 15 The Great Recession Overview, Ch. 10 Problem Set 3 Due
Monday, October 27 Lecture 16 IS Curve, Ch. 11	Wednesday, October 29 Lecture 17 MP Curve, Ch. 12
Monday, November 3 Lecture 18 Ch. 12, Cont.	Wednesday, November 5 No Class--Independent Work Problem Set 4 Due 2pm
Monday, November 10 Midterm #2	Wednesday, November 12 Lecture 19 AD/AS, Ch. 13 Discussant Article due for approval
Monday, November 17 Lecture 20 Ch. 13, Cont.	Wednesday, November 19 Lecture 21 Great Recession Explained, Ch. 14 Discussant Paper Due
Monday, December 1 Lecture 22 Real Estate Problem Set 5 Due	Wednesday, December 3 Lecture 23 Consumption, Ch. 15
Monday, December 8 Lecture 24 Ch. 15, Cont.	Wednesday, December 10 Lecture 25 Review Discussant Paper Edits Due FRIDAY 2pm Problem Set 6 Due Friday 2pm
Note: we are NOT covering Deficits or Generational Accounting	Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3pm Final Exam

Remember that I am available to help you with the class. If you have any concerns, it is always best to see me earlier rather than later. Don’t hesitate to contact me.