Economics 152
Introduction to Macroeconomics
Spring 2000

Erik C. Helm
Office: 333C Purnell Hall
Phone: 831-6432
E-mail: helme@udel.edu
Homepage: www.udel.edu/Economics/helme

Text:

Economics, 14th ed., McConnell & Brue, (required)
Study Guide to Accompany Macroeconomics, 14th ed., Walstad & Bingham, (optional)
Study Guide website: www.mhhe.com/economics/mcconnell

Course Requirements and Grade Determination (Weights):

Problem Sets                                                   = 10%
3 Midterm Examinations (20% each)                = 60%
Cumulative Final                                              = 30%

Tentative Examination Dates:

First Midterm Exam                           March 20
Second Midterm Exam                      April 12
Third Midterm Exam                         May 10

Tentative Course Outline:

Chapter 2                                Production Possibilities Curve (review)
Chapter 3                                Demand and Supply (review)
Chapter 7                                Gross Domestic Product
                                                            Measurement
                                                            Expenditure and income approach
                                                Price level measurement
                                                            GDP price index
                                                            Inflation
                                                Connection between GDP and welfare
Chapter 8                                Business cycles
                                                Types of unemployment
                                                Theory and effects of inflation
Chapter 9-10                           Classical employment model
                                                            assumptions
                                                            Role of government
                                                 Keynesian employment model
                                                             assumptions
                                                            Consumption function
                                                            Investment, gov. spending, and net exports
                                                            Multiplier
Chapter 11                              Aggregate Demand and Supply
Chapter 12                              Fiscal policy
                                                            Balanced budget multiplier
                                                            Crowding out
Chapter 13                              functions and definitions of money
                                                Federal Reserve System
                                                Bank failures and regulatory role of gov.
Chapter 14                              How banks create money
Chapter 15                              Tools of Monetary policy
                                                Effects of monetary policy on Keynesian model
Chapter 16                              Monetarism
Chapter 17                              Phillips curve
                                                Supply side economics
Chapter 19                              Deficits and debt
Chapter 37                              Comparative advantage
                                                Protectionism
                                                Trade barriers- tariffs and quotas
Chapter 38                              Exchange rates- fixed and flexible
                                                Balance of trade
Chapter 39                              less developed countries
Chapter 18                              Growth theory
                                                            Savings
                                                            Investment
                                                            Capital formation and productivity
                                                            Education and human capital

Procedures and Policies:
            1.  Attendance is mandatory.  You are responsible for all assignments, notes, announcements, and materials presented in class.
            2.  Once in class,  stay until the end of the lecture.
            3.  All assignments are to be turned in on the day they are due.  Any late assignments without a University recognized excuse will automatically start at 50% credit. No late assignments will be accepted without a University recognized excuse after the assignment has been returned to the class.
            4.  If a midterm or final exam is missed only students with University recognized excuses will be able to take a makeup exam.
            5.  Cheating is not tolerated.  Confirmed cases of academic dishonesty will be pursued in accordance with University regulations.
            6.  A passing grade in ECON 151 is the prerequisite for this course.