[Problem Set 1 2 3 4 5] [Exercises 1 2 ] [Reading Assignments] [Web Resources]
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
Fall 2000 Dr. Gutowsky
Office: Business Administration 3013
Office Hours: MWF 9:00-10:00, MW 11:30-1:30, TuTh 11:00 - 1:30 and by appointment
Telephone: 278-5588
Email: arg@csus.edu
Economics 1A: Introduction to Macroeconomics
Required Text:
Baumol & Blinder, MACROECONOMICS
You are to read one of the following newspapers -- the NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, WASHINGTON POST -- at http://ajr.newslink.org/daym.html. These newspapers will keep you informed about current economic and financial events and news.
Course Objectives: To provide students with an understanding of (1) basic economic concepts, e.g., scarcity, supply and demand analysis, opportunity cost; (2) a simple open economy macroeconomic model that will provide students with an understanding of the sources of economic growth and economic fluctuations, i.e., changes in the level of output (GDP), the unemployment rate and rate of inflation; (3) how the instruments of economic policy -- budgetary (fiscal) and monetary policy -- influence the macro performance of the economy. The course will also examine how technological change and globalization are transforming the American Economy.
Grading: During the semester you will take nine (11)-30 minute 100 point essay tests and a final exam. In addition, you will be given at least a dozen mandatory website exercises and at least one spread sheet exercise. Your course grade will be determined by the final exam, five (6) of your best 30 minute exams, and website and spreadsheet exercises. Each exercise will be worth 10 -30 points. You will need to receive 50 to 55 percent of the total points generated throughout the semester to pass the course. You will be given problem sets to assist you in preparing for class lectures and exams.
Website Assignments
During the semester you will access the following websites:
http://www.cbpp.org
(Center for Budget and Policy Priorities)
http://rfe.org in
particular the U.S. Macro, Regional Data and Finance and Financial Markets links
http://www.dismal.com
http://economics.about.com
access the link and read "Whats New About the New Economy"
http://www.econlinks.com
and others to be provided to you in class.
Reading Assignments:
All reading assignments will be announced in class.
A Plea: If you have any questions about course materials, problem sets, lectures, or anything pertaining to the course, bring them up during class or discuss them with me in my office. Remember I don’t bite. Also remember that economics is a mind set and that its going to take you, possibly, more than a couple of exams to understanding what economics is all about. So hang in there. My office door is always open, five days a week. See me early and often.
[Problem Sets] [Exercises] [Reading Assignments] [Web Resources]