Syllabus
Intermediate Macroeconomics

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the underlying assumptions and analytical tools used by economists to understand and explain the operation of the national economy and to make policy recommendations.  The fundamental determinants of output, employment, prices, and interest rates will be examined and various macroeconomic models will be developed.

 Textbooks

• Required: Gordon, Robert. (2003) Macroeconomics, 9th ed. Addison-Wesley.  

• Recommended: Wall Street Journal or The Economist: I recommend that you keep up with current events throughout the semester.  The WSJ does have student subscriptions available if you are interested.

Expectations

Learning is an active process.  As students, you must take primary responsibility for your education.  If you hope for a passing grade in this class, you should start by living up to these minimum expectations:

• Reading the syllabus and regularly checking the course website, and keeping track of  requirements and due dates.
• Showing up for class on-time and familiar with the day’s material.
• Contributing to the class by asking questions and offering your insights.
• Treating your classmates with respect.
• Behaving appropriately in the classroom. Talking out of turn, reading newspapers,  arriving late and leaving early, sleeping, and the like are distracting, disrespectful to me and to your classmates, and impede the learning process. Therefore, these behaviors will not be tolerated.
• Asking questions, in or out of class, when you need help.
• Studying about 6-10 hours outside of class each week, or as much as needed to earn an acceptable grade.  
• Picking up all completed quizzes and exams.
• Behaving with honesty and integrity.

Grades

Final grades will reflect student performance on homework, group projects, three midterm exams and a final exam.  Exams will be given on the days indicated in the class schedule. Scores will be weighed on the following basis:

Final grades will be awarded based on the following scale:

Though the students should not count on such good fortune, the instructor reserves the right to modestly widen the ranges for passing grades.

If grades or attendance are low, then unannounced quizzes may be given for extra points.

Attendance and class participation will be considered in borderline cases.

Final Exam

The final  exam will primarily cover material from the third unit.  Additionally, part of the exam will be comprehensive and cover topics from throughout the semester that are particularly important. 

Homework

Homework will consist of practice problems and short essays responding to various articles distributed in class.  The purpose of homework is to help students prepare for exams.  Students should not expect to do well on exams unless they have first mastered the homework assignments.  Students may collaborate on homework.  However, all collaborations must be made explicit and a single homework should be handed in for each collaborative group.  Each person in a group must fully understand the entire homework and the answers submitted.  Submitting homework on behalf of a group member who does not understand its content will be considered an act cheating by the entire group.  Note the cheating policy below. 

Group Assignment

This assignment will require you to work in a small group throughout the semester to analyze the current state of the economy.  There will be a major presentation and a couple written components of the group assignment. 

Course Policies

Absentee Policy:  Attendance is expected. A seating chart will be made and attendance will be taken throughout the course. Although attendance and grades tend to be positively correlated, I will not directly deduct any points for absenteeism.

Plagiarism and Cheating Policy:  All members of the University community share the responsibility and authority to challenge and make known acts of apparent academic dishonesty. Any student detected participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html, also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library, and in abbreviated form in the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog.  Possible sanctions include issuing an "XF" for a semester grade.  It is your responsibility to read and fully understand Missouri State's Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures.

At a minimum, anyone caught plagiarizing or cheating will automatically receive a zero for the assignment. This zero will automatically be averaged into the semester's final score without any possibility of it being dropped, made-up, or weighted less. Students caught cheating on homework will have their semester grade lowered one letter in addition to receiving a zero on the assignment. Cheating and plagiarism include a variety of activities. If in doubt, ask me.

Makeup Policy:  There will be NO make-up or early exams without an official, WRITTEN excuse. With a valid excuse, students will be allowed to take the exam on or before the day for which it was scheduled. After that day, the exam can be made-up only by taking an exam different than the one given in class.  Students hoping to take a makeup exam should contact me immediately.  The exam will be scheduled for the earliest time that is mutually workable. Students who do not makeup their exam promptly will not be allowed to take it at all.

Appeals Policy:  All appeals must be WRITTEN. If you believe that you deserve partial credit, or want me to re-grade in any other way, give me a written request within two weeks after the assignment or test has been handed back in class. The appeal should explain why you think your answer was "correct" and deserves partial or full credit.

Disability Accommodation:  Missouri State makes reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students requiring assistance should contact me during the first week of class.

Nondiscrimination Policy:  Missouri State is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Any inquiries should be directed to the Affirmative Action Office, Carrington 128, 836-4252.