ECON 205 Principles of Macroeconomics

Instructor: Brijesh P. Pinto¹

Lectures on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in SGM 101

Office hours on Wednesdays over Zoom²

This syllabus is 9 pages long. Read the entire syllabus carefully.

• Course Description

• Discussion Sessions

• Learning Objectives

• Math

• Textbook

• Attendance

• Course Outline

• Communication

• Blackboard

• Grading

• Teaching Assistants

• Academic Conduct and Support Systems

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to learn the principles that underlie the functioning of the aggregate economy. We will commence with the study of three key macroeconomic variables: output, unemployment, and inflation—how they’re defined, measured, and correlated; then proceed to the study of business cycles. We will learn to use an economic model to explain fluctuations in output and inflation and understand how monetary and fiscal policy are used to stabilize economies. We’ll then analyze the determinants of productivity and long-term economic growth. Finally, we will examine the economic linkages between countries.

Learning Objectives

(1) Learn fundamental macroeconomic principles

(2) Understand key macroeconomic variables such as output, inflation, and employment

(3) Understand the causes of economic fluctuations

(4) Analyze how monetary and fiscal policy affect macroeconomic outcomes

(5) Develop critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

Textbook

The required textbook for this course is Principles of Macroeconomics, version 10.0, by John B. Taylor and Akila Weerapana. You may choose your preferred format (online & hard-copy, online-only, etc.). For example, the online-access-only version is available for purchase for $35.95 from the publisher’s webpage.³

³https://students.flatworldknowledge.com/course/book/31274