Economics 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics Fall 2009 Instructor Elizabeth Sawyer Kelly Office 7416 Social Science Office Phone 608 262 8829 Office Hours Before and after class and by appointment E mail eskelly wisc edu Webpage www ssc wisc edu ekelly econ302 Text Macroeconomics by N Gregory Mankiw seventh edition Worth Publishers It is also highly recommended that you read current event publications which cover economic events among these recommended publications are The New York Times The Wall Street Journal Business Week The Financial Times Barron s and The Economist Overview Why are some countries richer than others How does monetary and fiscal policy affect macroeconomic aggregates like GDP employment interest rates and inflation rates What are the primary causes of recessions and expansions of the economy How are interest rates and exchange rates determined This class will consider these topics as well as others In addition an effort will be made to relate the classroom discussion to current economic issues Course Website Practice questions and problems will be available on the course website In addition important information with regard to exams and announcements will be posted on the website It is your responsibility to check the website for announcements assignments and any possible changes related to the course plan Course Structure and Grading Policy 1 Lectures There will be two lectures and a discussion section each week Students are expected to have completed the reading prior to lecture Attendance is not mandatory at the lectures but exams will focus primarily on material presented in lecture A second reading of the textbook after the lecture will greatly enhance your understanding of the ideas being presented 2 Grades There will be two midterm exams and a final exam as well as five homework assignments and four quizzes The weights of these assignments are as follows Midterm 1 Midterm 2 Final Exam Quizzes four Homework five 25 of your grade 25 of your grade 30 of your grade 10 of your grade 10 of your grade Although attendance is not required at class you are responsible for any material written assignments reading material etc covered or assigned in class The format of the midterm exams and the final will be announced in class prior to the date of the exams Midterm exams will be held in class during the class meeting time Students arriving late to class will not receive additional time for the exam Students on exam days should plan to arrive at class ten minutes early so that the exam can start on time THERE ARE NO MAKEUP MIDTERM EXAMS If you miss an exam and have a valid excuse your final exam weight will be increased to 55 to make up for the missing midterm If you miss an exam without a valid excuse you will receive a zero on that midterm Job interviews and travel plans except as required by university sponsored activities do not constitute valid excuses for missing an exam Students should plan to be in Madison Wisconsin until they take the final exam If you are unable to take an exam because of a valid excuse please contact me in advance if possible The FINAL EXAM will be held in at the University scheduled date and time of Tuesday December 22 2009 at 7 45 a m It will be comprehensive and cumulative Homework assignments will be due on their assigned dates at the large lecture NO LATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP HOMEWORK If you fail to turn in homework you will receive a zero for that homework All homework must be turned in at class Students may work together on homework assignments but must submit their own answers independently Sharing knowledge does not mean sharing homework Answers that are copies of one another will be treated as violations of academic integrity and will be punished accordingly 3 Exam Information and Exam Dates Midterm I Wednesday October 7 2009 Midterm II Wednesday November 18 2009 Final Exam Tuesday December 22 2009 at 7 45 a m 4 Homework Information and Homework Due Dates Homework 1 due Wednesday September 16 2009 Homework 2 due Wednesday September 30 2009 Homework 3 due Wednesday October 28 2009 Homework 4 due Wednesday November 11 2009 Homework 5 due Wednesday December 9 2009 5 Quiz Dates Quiz 1 Wednesday September 23 2009 Quiz 2 Wednesday October 21 2009 Quiz 3 Wednesday November 4 2009 Quiz 4 Wednesday December 2 2009 6 Other Relevant Information THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA CREDIT GIVEN IN THE COURSE NO EXAM GRADES WILL BE DROPPED LOW GRADES WILL NOT BE DROPPED THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS TO REPLACE MIDTERMS THAT HAVE BEEN MISSED 7 Grades Your grade will be based on your overall performance The final grade distribution will fall roughly along the following guidelines Top 12 A Next 15 AB Next 20 B Next 20 BC Next 20 C Bottom 13 D and F Tentative Course Outline Dates for reading will be announced in class The following course outline follows the structure of the textbook This outline may be adjusted as the class progresses into the spring semester and may need to be adjusted with regard to assignments due to time constraints Any pertinent announcements will be made in class and posted on the website Introduction to Macroeconomics Chapters 1 and 2 Classical Theory The Economy in the Long Run Chapters 3 4 5 and 6 Growth Theory The Economy in the Very Long Run Chapters 7 and 8 Business Cycle Theory The Economy in the Short Run Chapters 9 10 11 12 and 13 Macroeconomic Policy Debates Chapters 14 and 15 More on the Microeconomics Behind Macroeconomics Chapters 16 17 18 and 19 What We Know What We Don t Epilogue