ECON 2305 005 Principles of Macroeconomics Fall 2017 Instructor Roger Wehr Office Number 314 Business Building Office Hours Monday Wednesday 11 00 a m noon Monday Wednesday 8 30 p m 9 30 p m Available Upon Request NOTE Office Hours will not be held when the University is closed OR following the Last Day of Class NOTE Due to my inability to be at two locations at the same time I will not be holding Office Hours during the week of Final Exams Address Box 19479 Arlington Texas 76019 Office Telephone Number 817 272 3287 Messages may be made via e mail fax and at the voice message service listed below Fax Telephone Number 817 272 3145 Emergency Telephone Number Voice Message Service 817 861 5001 UTA Emergency Phone Numbers In case of an on campus emergency call the UT Arlington Police Department at 817 272 3003 non campus phone 2 3003 campus phone You may also dial 911 Inclement Weather Information 972 601 2049 OR Arlington s TCI Channel 98 Email Address wehr uta edu NOTE E mail is the preferred method of communication rather than telephone Faculty Profile https www uta edu mentis public profile profile view id 526 category 1 Section Information ECON 2305 Section 005 Time and Place of Class Meetings Business Building classroom number 245 E M W 7 00 8 20 p m Materials Required Textbook Economics Today The Macro View 18th edition by Roger LeRoy Miller AW 18E ISBN 978 0 13 388487 6 Other ISBN s may also apply i e the ISBN for the loose leaf text may be different OPTIONAL Electronic Materials MyEconLab Pearson Online Package for Homework This product may be purchased through the UTA Bookstore or directly from the publisher This product will be discussed on the first day of class Other Materials Other materials may include Wall Street Journal articles and or items found on my faculty web page Course Description Principles of Macroeconomics covers the elements of economics that deal with many problems facing societies as a whole and how these problems affect individuals Issues such as inflation unemployment government policies global integration and how economic growth impacts all of us Economics helps develop decisionmaking tools to aid in making choices critical to a well functioning economy Course Prerequisites None There is no required course prerequisite The class will meet on all regular class meetings There is no attendance requirement that goes beyond regular class meetings and the scheduled meeting for the final exam Student Learning Outcomes The student will be able to explain and discuss the course content as noted in the course and subject outline and demonstrate their knowledge of course material through examinations quizzes and class discussions More specifically the student will be able to employ the methods that economists use to investigate market outcomes use and critique alternative theories of the macroeconomy develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues such as poverty and unemployment differentiate and analyze historical evidence documentary and statistical and differing points of view Course Syllabus Page 1 analyze critically assess and develop creative solutions to public policy problems such as inflation recognize appropriate information sources for data about the state of the economy Course Purpose This course satisfies the University of Texas at Arlington core curriculum requirement in social and behavioral sciences Course Objectives This course satisfies the following four objectives Critical thinking skills include creative thinking innovation inquiry and analysis evaluation and synthesis of information Students will demonstrate evidence of critical thinking skills by learning and using economic principles and analysis in examining and critiquing various social policies and issues such as government regulations for drug approval and pollution the economic consequences of criminal behavior the market effects of drug prohibition the issues of an aging society tax policies and their myriad of impacts and the consequences of unemployment and the minimum wage to name a few Communication skills include effective development interpretation and expression of ideas through written oral and visual communication Students will demonstrate communication skills throughout the course through classroom participation frequent class discussions and course exercises including examinations and in class assignments Empirical and quantitative skills include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions For example students will be able to work with quantitative measures such as Social Security and the income tax rate policy changes in crime rates as they relate to our overall economy and the impact of governmental policies on drug prices both legal and illegal Based on these and other measures students will be able to judge the impact of various social policies on our economy and our overall social welfare Social responsibility includes intercultural competence knowledge of civic responsibility and the ability to engage effectively in regional national and global communities In this area for example students will be able to articulate the impact that government regulation and taxes have on improving access to health care making our neighborhoods safer reducing pollution and attending to the issues of immigration flows Course Format The course is presented in a lecture format with the use of electronic media and the available white board Additionally information will be provided via the textbook and other media in the classroom It is important to note the obvious YOU are responsible for what is said discussed and covered in class Accordingly if you are absent YOU should arrange to get notes from a classmate This is important Some content may be posted to Blackboard or the faculty web page as well including outside materials The class will also include some emphasis on solving problems and may include discussion of current topics events deemed pertinent by the instructor Other Course Objectives and Format In various ways the course will incorporate use of the basic intellectual competencies i e reading writing and expression speaking listening and absorption of ideas and critical thinking Additionally on a smaller scale some computer literacy may be beneficial in the research and acquisition of additional information for topic areas appealing to the student or assigned by the