Syllabus for Econ 1-- Principles of Macroeconomics

Instructor : Dr. Hushang Shahidi
Office: B1-c,
Phone 760-776-7304
Email Address: hshahidi@desertonline.net

Reading Material

Textbook: Bradley Schiller, The Economy Today, 10th ed. (or 9th ed.--if you already have an 8th ed. you are OK too), McGraw Hill
This edition includes material for both macro (econ1) and micro (econ2)

OR

The Macro Economy Today, 10th ed. (or 9th ed) , McGraw Hill
This is the split edition and only covers Macroeconomic topics

Notes: Class notes are also posted for each topic. These are lecture notes prepared by economics students based on my class lectures. I have only edited and modified the notes slightly.

Additional Readings and resources: Additional reading material such as books, articles or online material may be assigned.

Course description, purpose and objectives

Description:
Macroeconomics deals with the overall performance of the economy. It focuses on aggregate economic concepts such as the gross domestic product, employment, unemployment, price stability, inflation, the ups and downs of the economy, economic growth, the role of money, and the impact of international trade. The course also covers different theories and views that explain an economic system, and addresses a range of policy options that can be considered for improving the performance of the economy.

Purpose and objectives:
The main purpose of the course is to help you become a more informed person and a better decision maker. To serve this purpose we introduce economic terminology, concepts, and tools and try to help you learn how to obtain reliable economic information and develop a critical understanding of the working of an economic system.

Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to:

-Define and explain different economic terms and concepts
-Identify the core macroeconomic problems of an economy
-Understand the current domestic and international economic event and economic news
-Discuss the macroeconomic issues intelligently and identify the pros and cons of an economic policy based on established economic theories and principles
-Apply your macroeconomics knowledge to decision making relevant to your own personal economic issues as well as those relevant to your social/ macroeconomic policy concerns.

Evaluation and Grading Policy:
1. Weekly online assignments account for about 80% of your grade. Weekly assignments may include multiple choice quizzes, problems, essays, a variety of forum activities, projects, and internet searches for information.

2. Onsite final exam accounts for the other 20%. This test is a combination of multiple choice, problems and essay questions. Generally, the final exam is not given online and you need to take this test in person in a designated location. I am aware of and sensitive to your time limitations especially those who are far from COD campus. I will announce several time slots in advance and will work with you to the extent possible to accommodate potential time conflicts. For those who live far from the campus I can usually find a dependable person in a school or library near your location to help me with the process. You will need to let me know of your situation in advance so that I can make the necessary arrangements.

3. Ample opportunities but no curves--During the semester I will offer numerous opportunities in the form of a variety of assignments and bonus points for special activities or projects. These points are added to your test scores. Then, I will simply add up your scores, determine the percentage grade and assign letter grades. I will assign A to 90-100, B to 80-89, C to 70 to 79, etc.

4. Timeliness is crucial-- All assignments, without exception, must be completed by the due dates. There will be many assignments and I strongly recommend that you keep a log of assignments to avoid overlooking any of them. There will be no make-ups for any assignments. Problems with your computer and the like will not be accepted as reasons for missing assignments. You need to establish contact & exchange telephone numbers with at least two of your classmates to get the information and assignments if your computer or internet access fail. Try to use the forum to make this arrangement during the first week of the class. You can also drop off hard copies of your completed assignments before the due time at my office as the last resort. No excuses for missing a test or deadline are admissible. Procrastination in doing the assignments, especially in an online course, is likely to cause irreversible damage to your grade. You need to start working on assignments as soon as possible once they are posted. All assignments will be posted at the start of each new assignment week. For many assignments you will need to ask questions and receive feedback in order to complete the assignment successfully. It is important to allow sufficient time for the question-answer interaction with your classmates and your instructor. I encourage you to start working on the assignments well before the due date and to provide a reasonable time for interaction among all of us. You can questions by posting them in the forum or sending an e-mail to the instructor. Just make sure to put "question" in the subject box of the email so that I will notice it easier and respond to it quicker).

Important Additional Comments:

1. Although you are taking this course as an online course, you may want to attend one of our regular classes just to see how economics is presented and discussed in a conventional classroom. This is not required from you. I am merely issuing an open invitation for you to join any of our classes at any time. I would also like to meet you in person and have a face that I can associate with your name and your emails. At the beginning of the semester, I will post a list of economics classes that I or other economics instructors teach during this semester in the instructors forum..

2. We, of course, will be in touch via the Internet. However, I welcome you to call me, or stop by the office to share with me a problem or discuss an issue. I will post my office hours in the instructor forum.

3. This online course has been offered and improved several times already. Much of the improvement has been the result of input and suggestions provided by students. I am sure there is still much room for further enhancement and I welcome your input at anytime.

4. This last note is to share with you my perspective with respect to an online course in economics. I am hoping that my comments here will help you determine whether or not an online economics course is the best option for you.

I believe that for most students, a conventional course in principles of economics provides a more complete learning experience than an online course.

This, in turn, is based on our belief that the dynamics of personal interactions in the classroom environment is an important element of the learning process. However, I opt to offer online courses in economics to provide our students with a wider range of choices. The online courses are to serve especially those students who would otherwise be unable to take the courses in a conventional setting.

The online economics courses are not easier than the conventional economics courses, nor are they less time consuming.

In fact they may even be more difficult since students in the online classes do not have the direct benefit of lectures and discussions to the same extent that students in the conventional classes do. Your online economics course will require about 9 to 12 hours of study and related work per week. If you are a fast reader, with good study habits and previous experience with the Internet you may get by with 6 to 9 hours a week. Many of my students during the previous semesters shared with me that they had underestimated the amount of time that their online economics course required.

Successful completion of an online course in economics requires of you to be self-motivated, to have self-discipline, and to be able to manage your time effectively.

These comments are not intended to discourage you from taking the course. Rather, they are intended to ascertain that your decision is based on an accurate assessment of your available time, your own tendencies and abilities, your options, and the requirements of the course.