Course Syllabus

 

To view the complete Course Description, Essential Objectives, and Course Syllabus, please see below:

Community College of Vermont
ECO 2020
Macroeconomics
Fall 2021

Dates: September 14, 2021 - December 20, 2021, 2021

Text:

Bundle: Principles of Macroeconomics, Loose-leaf Version, 9th + MindTap® Economics, 1 term (6 months) Access Card, 9th
Ordering information can be found directly in the Canvas course shell
*** DO NOT BUY A USED COPY OF THIS TEXTBOOK - YOU WILL NEED THE COURSE ACCESS CODE AND THAT CAN
ONLY BE FOUND IN A NEW BOOK/BUNDLE ***
Author(s): Mankiw 9th

Course Overview:

This course examines national economic systems with emphasis on the United States. Topics include gross national product,
business cycles, employment and prices, recession and inflation, fiscal and monetary policy, and rudiments of international trade.
Basic algebra skills required.

Essential Objectives:

The successful student will be able to:
1. Explain the fundamental principles and theories of macroeconomics, including aggregate economic performance, trends in
production, consumption, prices and employment.
2. Describe the development of macroeconomics as a social science, and provide examples of how macroeconomic concepts such
as output, unemployment, and inflation can be used to explain human behavior and subsequent historical phenomena.
3. Examine the impact of human social, cognitive, and emotional behaviors on economic decisions of individuals and firms, and
discuss the impact of this behavior on consumption, savings, and investment.
4. Identify the principal components of national production, including consumption, investment, government spending,
imports/exports, and their interrelation.
5. Explain causes of economic fluctuation, the nature of business cycles and corollary trends in national price levels, and causes and
impacts of interest rate levels.
6. Describe national fiscal and monetary policy; analyze their respective roles, historically and in the current economic environment;
and explain how different policies impact the behavior of individuals and society.
7. Identify functions of money and activities of the United States banking system including the role of the Federal Reserve System.
8. Compare capitalism with other economic systems and analyze current world economic development in the context of comparative
economic systems.
9. Examine current research and analytical methods in macroeconomics, and explain how economists apply these methods to
analyze and respond to real world events.

Class Meetings:

This course will meet ONLINE, using the Canvas course management system. Students can access the Canvas course site via the
CCV portal (http://myccv.ccv.edu). Please make sure you can access the course, are familiar with Moodle and have read over the
information posted in the online course site, before the course begins. Each week the course will open on Tuesday at 12:00 noon, and close the following Monday at 11:59 PM EST.

Any posts submitted to a week's discussion board after 12:00am on Tuesday morning will not be considered when grades for that
week's discussion board are assigned. Students should expect to commit an amount of time to this course, equivalent to that which
they would spend in a traditional 3 credit ground (face-to-face) course.

Course Structure:

Each week students are required to read at least one chapter from the course text. Students will also read supplementary material
provided by the instructor, and complete a quiz on the week’s readings.

Students are required to contribute to our ongoing discussion throughout the week, and are encouraged to address multiple
questions posed by both the instructor and fellow students. Frequent and relevant contributions to class discussions will contribute to
a rich classroom environment as well as help the student participation percentage of the grade (33% of final grade). Students will
also complete a one-page paper weekly in the Connection Journal.

Weekly Connection Journals: 22% of grade

In addition to our weekly discussion board, you will have the opportunity of journaling each week throughout the course. These
journals will be focused on the essential skill of “making connections.” You will be writing about how different aspects of the course
relate to one another (readings, class discussions, PowerPoint presentations, videos, instructor feedback, etc.); about how different
economic theories relate to one another and to your own life; about how what you are learning in this course may be connecting to
what you are learning in other courses or in previous courses; and about the connections that you make that relate to the real world
circumstances of your past, present, or future personal or professional lives.

The key ingredients I will be looking for are density of connections and good writing. Your main goal is to communicate to me what
you are learning that I may not have set out to teach and to make yourself and I think. These connection journals may be worked on
throughout the semester. I will only be going in and evaluating them two times each semester - at the end of the 7th and 13th
week. There will be a Dropbox available for you in Canvas on Week 7 & Week 13.

Participation in Discussion Forum: 33% of grade
A discussion forum will be posted each week by Tuesday at 12:00 noon on the course discussion board by the instructor,
accompanied by questions about both the material and case study each week.

Students are required to respond to all of the instructor’s questions by 12:00 Noon on Sunday and to at least 2 of your
fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday evening.

Students will earn an "A" when participation is substantive, and illustrates that the student has a thorough understanding of the
subject matter as evidenced through appropriate use of subject specific vocabulary and key concepts. Answers from the student
should clearly relate to the material from course reading and discussion, and arguments, theories and conclusions should be well
developed and show evidence of critical thinking and reflection. Responses are submitted ahead of schedule, in an effort to promote
rich and thoughtful discussions amongst class members.

Students will earn a "B" when responses illustrate the student understands the subject matter as evidenced through appropriate use
of subject specific vocabulary and key concepts. Answers from the students peripherally relate to the material from the course
reading and, with arguments theories and conclusions are adequately developed. Responses are submitted on time, according to
deadlines outlined in the syllabus/assignments listing.

Students will earn a "C" when responses and questions illustrate basic understanding of subject matter, and discussion board posts
may be limited in nature and may not relate directly to the specific ideas and questions posed. Questions posed do not always relate
to the ideas being discussed and researched. Responses and questions are not submitted on time, according to deadlines outlined in
the syllabus/assignments listing.

Students will earn a "D" when responses illustrate limited understanding of subject matter. Responses are not submitted on time,
according to deadlines outlined in the syllabus/assignments listing.

Students will earn an "F" on the subject matter, and students do not respond to the components of the discussion assignment. Responses are not included and questions to others students are not posted.

Weekly Quiz: 33 % of grade (Due each Monday evening 11:59 pm EST)

Final Examination: 12 % of grade (Due Monday, December 20th by 11:59 pm EST)

Attendance Policy:

Students who fail to post in the discussion boards, complete journal reflections or submit homework at any point during a weekly
period will be marked as absent from the course for that week. Missing more than 3 classes will likely result in a non-satisfactory
grade.

Letter Grade Criteria:

A+ through A-: For any work to receive an “A”, it must clearly be exceptional or outstanding work. It must demonstrate keen insight
and original thinking. It must express full understanding of the topic or issues addressed, and provide a critical analysis of these. In
addition, an “A” grade reflects a student’s ability to clearly and thoughtfully articulate his or her learning.

B+ through B-: For any work to receive a “B”, it must be good to excellent work. It must demonstrate a strong originality,
comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a “B” grade reflects a student’s ability to clearly articulate his or
her learning.

C+ through C-: For any work to receive a “C”, it must meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate solid
comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a “C” grade reflects a student’s ability to adequately articulate his
or her learning.

D+ through D-: For any work to receive a “D”, it must marginally meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate at
least some comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a “D” grade may reflect a student’s difficulty in
articulating his or her learning.

F: Work that receives an “F” grade does not meet the expectations or objectives of the assignment. It demonstrates consistent
problems with comprehension, organization, critical thinking, and supporting details. In addition, an “F” grade reflects a student’s
inability to articulate his or her learning.

ADA Statement:

Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact CCV's Learning
Specialist (802-828-4060) in Academic Support Services as soon as possible, to ensure that any necessary accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion.

Academic Honesty Statement:

CCV’s academic honesty policy (outlined under 'Academic regulations' at www.ccv.edu) will be strictly enforced in this class.
Incidents of academic dishonesty (such as, but not limited to, plagiarism) will result in a failed assignment and/or course grade and
will be reported to the college. If you are not familiar with CCV's academic honesty policy or the concept of academic honesty in
general, please familiarize yourself with both before the start of the course.

Weekly Schedule

Week One
Chapter 1: Ten Principles of Economics
Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week One Quiz

Week Two

Chapter 2: Thinking Like an Economist

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures
Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Two Quiz

Week Three

Chapter 3: Interdependence and the Gains from Trade

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Three Quiz

Week Four

Chapter 4: The Market Forces of Supply and Demand

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Four Quiz

Week Five

Chapter 5: Elasticity and its Application

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Five Quiz

Week Six

Chapter 6: Supply, Demand and Government Policies

Chapter 7: Consumers, Producers, and the Efficiency of Markets

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Six Quiz

Week Seven

Chapter 8: Applications: The Costs of Taxation

Chapter 9: Applications: International Trade

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry & Upload Connection Journal #1 (First 7 Weeks)

Week Seven Quiz

Week Eight

Chapter 10: Measuring a Nations' Income

Chapter 11: Production and Growth

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Eight Quiz

Week Nine

Chapter 12: Production and Growth

Chapter 13: Saving, Investment, and the Financial System

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Nine Quiz

Week Ten

Chapter 14: The Basic Tools of Finance

Chapter 15: Unemployment

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Ten Quiz

Week Eleven

Chapter 16: The Monetary System

Chapter 17: Money Growth and Inflation

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Eleven Quiz

Week Twelve

Chapter 18: Open-Economy Macroeconomics

Chapter 19: A Macroeconomic Theory of the Open Economy

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry

Week Twelve Quiz

Week Thirteen

Chapter 20: Income Inequality and Poverty

Chapter 21: The Influence of Monetary and Fiscal Policy on Aggregate Demand

Review PowerPoint Review/Lectures

Weekly Discussion Board
* Thoroughly answer all the instructor’s questions by 12:00 noon on Sunday
* Respond to at least 2 of your fellow students' posts by 11:59 PM on Monday

Connection Journal Weekly Entry & Upload Connection Journal #2 (Week's 8 - 13)

Week Thirteen Quiz

Week Fourteen

Final Examination

Contact Information:
Tim Flohr
Timothy.Flohr@ccv.edu
Phone: (901) 614-0870