Econ 4020/Spring 2008
Intermediate Macroeconomics
Tue/Thu 2-3:15 PM
SLC 214
Course
Objective
This course develops the tools of modern macroeconomic theory
and explains the determination of aggregate output, employment, prices,
economic growth and international trade, both in the long run as well as in the
short run. We will focus on the framing,
conduct and effect of government policies (both fiscal and monetary) on the key
variables in an economy and consequently on the evolution of business
cycles. The purpose of this course is to
develop a macroeconomic framework for explaining the current state of the
Textbook
N. Gregory Mankiw, Macroeconomics (Sixth Edition). Worth Publishers, 2007.
Click on the link above for the textbook’s website and
student resources.
Note:
The textbook comes with a
package that includes a free subscription to The Wall Street Journal. This package is only available for new textbook
purchases and is available at the UGA bookstore.
Grades,
Assignments, and Exams
Homework
Assignments: Homework assignments will be
given out approximately on a weekly basis.
A part of the assignments will be derived from articles in The Wall Street Journal. You are strongly recommended to either buy
the textbook package (with a pre-paid subscription to the WSJ) or fill out a subscription card available from me during the
first week of class. For more
information on the WSJ component of the course, click here.
Late homeworks will NOT be
accepted under any circumstances
Note: All
homework assignments, solutions, and announcements will be posted on the course
web site. Hard copies will not be handed
out in class. So please bookmark this
page for future use.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required in class
and will be recorded starting immediately after the drop-add period. You will
be penalized one grade point (on a scale of 0-100) for each unqualified absence
(e.g. not accompanied by a doctor’s letter/medical certificate), excluding the
first two (i.e. the first two absences will not be penalized). The accumulated penalty points will be
deducted from your total score in the course at the end of the semester.
Grades:
Your final grade in this course will be determined by your performance in the
homework assignments (carrying a weight of 20 %), two mid-term exams
(with weights of 25 % on each exam), and a final exam (with a weight of 30 %),
along with the adjustment for class attendance. Final grades will be
assigned on a “+/-” basis.
Remember that the homework assignments carry a weight of 20
%, so if you work sincerely on them, you will be able to secure that part of
your grade. Also, the homework
assignments would be a very good indicator of what you may expect in the
mid-term and final exams.
Exams:
There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam. The exams will be a mixture of short answer
and analytical questions, as well as numerical problems.
Mid-term Exams:
First Mid-term Exam: Thursday, February
21
Second Mid-term Exam: Thursday, March 27
Final Exam:
Thursday, May 1
3:30-6:30 PM
Note:
Make-up exams will NOT be
given under any circumstances. So please
plan ahead and mark your calendars for those days and times. Please do not
schedule appointments with your doctor or dentist on those days.
Policy
on academic honesty:
All academic work must
meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” All students are
responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any
academic work. Please refer to the university’s full policy
on academic honesty.
GOOD LUCK!
Last revised: January 7,
2008