Department of Applied Economics

School of Business and Public Administration

California State University, Bakersfield

 

Applied Economics 302 - Intermediate Macroeconomics

Winter Quarter, 2007

 

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Mark Evans

OFFICE

BPA Deans Office, Business Development Center, Rm 128

PHONE

(661) 654-2157

FAX

(661) 654-2207

EMAIL

mevans@csub.edu

Note: Please use WebCT email system whenever possible

OFFICE HOURS

MW 3:00-4:30; Th 2:00-4:00; by appointment

 

WebCT COURSE SITE: 

 

1.               Click  Current Students” from the CSUB homepage and “Login to Runner Courses” on the right hand side of the “Current Students” page.

2.               Your WebCT ID is the first part of your RunnerMail address (e.g., if your address is jdoe6@runner.csub.edu, your WebCT ID is jdoe6).

3.               Your password is initially set as the last five digits of your CSUB ID (if this doesn’t work, try the last five digits of your Social Security number).

4.               Once you are on your “MyWebCT” page, click “Econ 302.”  Let me know ASAP if you can’t get in.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:          

 

Olivier Blanchard, Macroeconomics, Pearson Prentice-Hall, 4th Edition, 2006.

ISBN: 0131864165.

                                               

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:  The student will

 

1.      Demonstrate knowledge of macroeconomic concepts and cause-effect relationships;

2.      Locate macroeconomic data and information on the internet;

3.      Comprehend, analyze and assess historical and current macroeconomic conditions;

4.      Apply macroeconomics concepts and theories in making a reasoned macroeconomic forecast for the coming year;  and

5.      Effectively communicate economic information in written format.

 

COURSE PROCEDURES:

 

The course is organized to provide opportunities for you to meet and demonstrate the learning goals and objectives.  This will be a very rewarding course if you work hard, learn the material, and develop skills in applying it.  To help you understand and comprehend the most fundamental concepts, I will be selective in what I cover and distribute summary notes and study guides via the WebCT course site.

 

There will be several homework assignments that are cumulative (i.e., they build on preceding assignments).  These assignments will build analytical skills and provide opportunities to apply the course materials to current events. Quizzes will be frequent to provide timely feedback regarding your knowledge and comprehension and to provide an incentive to stay on schedule.  You will apply macroeconomic theories in analyzing recent data and in making a reasoned forecast for 2007.  The final will be cumulative to promote synthesis and retention.

 

Everything will be scored numerically and a weighted average will determine your final course average and letter grade.  Your attendance score will equal your attendance percentage (on the sampled days) with one “free pass.”  You will receive 50% attendance credit on days you arrive significantly late or leave significantly early.

 

 

Attendance

10 %

Quizzes

30 %

Homework (Data Collection and Analysis)

25 %

Newsletter: 2007 Forecast

15 %

Comprehensive Final

20 %