Spring 1999

I. Course Title:  Principles of Macroeconomics

   Course Number:  40-201

   Course Credit Hours:  3 semester hours

   Instructor:  Dr. Richard F. Bieker
                         Room 220 Price Building
                         Phone:  (302)739-3526
                         e-mail:  rbieker@dsc.edu

II. Office Hours:
 
 

M	W	R	F
11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.	11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.	11:30 a.m.-   1:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.	11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

III. Required Text:        Tucker, Irvin B.  Macroeconomics For Today.  (1997).
                                                Minneapolis/St. Paul:  West Publishing.

 IV. Course Description

            This course provides the student with an understanding of the operation and function of the
            American economic system from a macro perspective.  Attention is given to current
            economic problems such as those relating to income, employment, the business cycle,
            money and banking, growth, and development.
 
 

  V. Course Objectives

            After successfully completing this course, the student will:

               1.     Understand  the methodology employed in the economic and
                       social science disciplines.
                2.    Understand the nature of scarcity and its implications for
                        decision making.
                3.    Understand how a market based economy operates.
                4.    Understand the role and functions of government in a modern mixed economy.
                5.    Describe the nature and magnitude of the various components which constitute
                       the U.S. economic system today.
                6.    Understand the  interrelationships between the U.S. economy and the
                        economies of other nations.
                7.    Understand how the aggregate levels of production, employment, income and
                        prices are determined in a market driven global economy.
                8.    Understand the role of fiscal and monetary policy in stabilizing a market driven
                        global economy.
                9.    Apply the economic tools developed in objectives 1-8 within the context of the
                        household and the business firm and nonprofit organization.
              10.    Be prepared for a more advanced study of economic and business subjects.

                Specific instructional objectives will be outlined at the beginning of each class session.
 
 

VI. Method of Instruction

        The method of instruction will be primarily lecture with class discussion.  In addition,
        will be required to complete exercises assigned from the text and other sources including
        the university library and internet.  Students are expected to complete such assignments
        in a timely manner and to be prepared to lead and/or participate in class discussion related
        to these exercises.

VII. Student Preparation Roles

           After successfully completing this course, the student will:

                1.    Possess the requisite level of economic literacy for making informed choices in a
                        modern democratic market economy.
                2.    Be prepared for a more advanced study of business and economic subjects.
                3.    Possess a set of critical thinking skills to analyze situations within the student's
                       household and organization of employment.

VIII. Tentative Schedule and Class Assignments
 
 

IX. Attendance and Participation

        In accordance with the policy at Delaware State University, "Regular class attendance is a vital
        part of the educational process.  Students are expected to attend all classes."  (Delaware State
     University Catalog:  1996-1998, p. 16).  In accordance with this policy, absence from class
        for any reason does not excuse the student from responsibility for any assigned work.
     Students are expected to complete reading assignments and exercises in a timely manner and
        are expected to be prepared to participate in class discussions related to these assignments
        and exercises.

X. Method of Evaluation

        Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of the following:

        1.    Written Examinations:  Performance on written examinations will constitute 95 percent
                of the student's final grade.  A minimum three written examinations will be given.
                Examination dates will be announced at least one class period in advance.  It is the
                student's responsibility to be present when examinations are scheduled.  Makeup
                examinations will not be given except in the case of serious illness or some other dire
                emergency.  If the student fails to take a written examination, (s)he will receive a grade
                of zero (0) for that examination.

     2.    Class Participation

                One dimension of the learning process involves teacher-student and student-student
                interaction in the classroom for purposes of elaboration and clarification.  Class
                participation by students is strongly encouraged.  Student performance in class will
                constitute 5 percent of the student's final grade.

               The grading scale used to assign the final letter grade in the course is as follows:

90-100              A
80-89                B
70-79                C
60-69                D
59 or less           F

        An excellent list of selected readings is contained at the end of each chapter of the text.  To
        gain a more thorough understanding of the topics covered in the course, students should read
        one or more of the selections at the end of each assigned chapter.

XII General Education Course

        Principles of Macroeconomics is one of the general education courses at Delaware State
        University.  Since approximately 20 percent of economic activity in the United States involves
        trade with other nations, this course is cast from a global perspective.  The relationship
        between the U.S. economy and other economies is considered throughout the course. Given
        the nature of the economic science, this course provides students with the opportunity to
        develop and refine their critical thinking/problem solving skills from a social science
        perspective.  Course assignments are constructed in such a way so as to develop and
        enhance students' understanding of certain elements of computer technology, including
        internet searches, listservs, usenet usegroups, e-mail and spreadsheets.