Macroeconomics

Course Details

Course Number: 5143  Section Number: 180

Fall 2010

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 175

Days & Times:

TR
5:30p - 6:50p

Course Attachments

Syllabus  syl-309042MWS-2010-Fall-ECON5143-20100825-124845.doc

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Yoshi Fukasawa   
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Course Objectives

The main objective of the course is to provide the student with an understanding of  macroeconomics as a tool for managerial decision-making. 

           General Learning Goal:

 

            1.  Problem solving and decision-making abilities through critical analysis, evaluation,

                 and interpretation of business information.

 

                The students will demonstrate their abilities in problem solving and decision-making

                abilities by applying macroeconomic concepts to the problem faced by businesses using

                case studies.

 

            2.  An understanding of the influence of global and multicultural issues on business

                  activities. 

 

                 The students will gain the basic understanding of international trade and finance issues

                  by applying macroeconomic concepts to the international issues faced by businesses

                  using case studies.

 

3.  Team building and collaboration to achieve group objectives.            

 

     A team of two students will collaboratively prepare presentation on a topic in

     macroeconomics by gathering relevant information, making analyses, and preparing a

     written report.

 

            This general learning goals are among those established by the Dillard College of

    Business Administration.  General learning goals represent the skills that graduates will  

    carry with them into their careers.  While assessing student performance in obtaining

    these general learning goals, the College hopes to assess its programs.  The assessments

    will assist us as we improve our curriculum and curriculum delivery.       


Course Expectations

Course Specific Learning Goals:

 

  • Understand the measurement of income, prices, and unemployment
  • Learn income and interest rate determination in an open economy
  • Gain knowledge of equilibrium in product, money, and Foreign Exchange Markets
  • Understand monetary and fiscal policies
  • Understand international trade, exchange rates, and macroeconomic policy
  • Learn basic concepts of aggregate demand and aggregate supply
  • Learn the causes and cures of inflation and unemployment
  • Gain experience in applying macroeconomic data and concepts in case studies

Grading Standards

Grading and Evaluation:

 

Grades will be determined on the basis of the total points earned on three 100-point exams, including the final, ten 10-point quizzes, and a class project presentation/paper.  Letter grades will be given, with only minor adjustments, according to the following scale:

           

Examination #1                                   100 points

Examination #2                                   100 points

Quizzes*                                             100 points

Class project presentation/paper____100 points

Total                                                    400 points

 

*The grade for Quiz#10 is based on your participation in class project peer reviews.

 

                        A  360 - 400 points                                         D  240 - 379 points

                        B  320 - 359 points                                         F  below 240 points

                        C  280 - 319 points

           

            The examination will cover the assigned chapters, in-class lectures, quizzes, and any

            other assigned readings.  Students are responsible for all assigned textbook material, even if

            the material is not directly discussed in class.  Each examination will have the following

            components:

 

Definitions                                20 points

Problems/Short Essays                          80 points

Total                                        100 points

 

You will be given a randomly selected 4-digit ID number for record keeping in this class when Quiz #1 is returned to you.  Please record your number for a future reference.  A calculator, but not a phone calculator, may be allowed for the exams. 

 

Keep all the exams and quizzes until the end of the semester to verify any discrepancy in records. If you happen to be absent on the day the exams or quizzes are returned in the class, you must come to my office to pick them up.  The results of your exams and quizzes will be posted periodically. 

 

There is also a class project that each student is required to participate.  A group of two students will analyze short-term and/or long-term macroeconomic forecast involving a country of their choice and prepare a report of no more than 20 pages.  A summary of the report will be presented to the class.  Each presentation will be scheduled for 20 minutes, followed by a 5-minute question and answer session.  A two-page proposal including a list of assigned task for each student must be prepared by the team and must be approved by the instructor by September 14, 2010. The report containing a detailed analysis of the chosen topic with all necessary references is due in one week following the presentation but no later than December 7, 2010.  Your class project/paper will be evaluated based on the degree of clarity, the depth and rigor of analysis, and the evidence of collaborative team efforts.  The students in a team may decide how each task of gathering information, analyzing the issues, preparing for presentation, and writing a report, will be divided between them.  However, the project must be done as a team work and the report must contain how the task was divided.  Students are required to attend all presentations.  More details on the class project/research paper and the method of evaluation will be discussed in the class.


Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to attend all class meetings for this course, following the university attendance policy.  (See Midwestern State University Undergraduate Catalog, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 1, p. 78).  Each meeting of the class will run as scheduled.  So as not to disturb the class, you are not to walk in and out of the classroom during the class hour except for an emergency.  The students who fail to meet any of these policies, including excessive (three or more classes) absences may be dropped from the class with a grade of an “F” by the instructor.


Other Policies

Other Related Policies:

 

If a student misses a regularly scheduled exam, the student must immediately notify the instructor of his/her intention to schedule a make-up exam.  The exam dates are tentative and subject to change.  Homework must be turned in on time. 

Dillard Building Classroom Policy:

 

  • No food or drink is allowed in the classroom.
  • Keep cell phones dormant in the classroom.

 

Syllabus Change Policy:

 

            This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.