Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - ECON 291 D100

Canadian Macroeconomic Policy (3)

Class Number: 6351

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2020
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 103 or 200 and ECON 105 or 205.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A general survey of Canadian macroeconomic policy issues. Topics will include the costs of inflation and unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy, the effects of government debt and exchange rate policy. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course builds on the material that the students have learned in an introductory Principles of Macroeconomics class. We will create a more detailed inventory of the national accounts, from GDP to current account to budget balance. We will study the models that more explicitly relate the potential policy tools the country’s macroeconomic performance. Finally, we will discuss and analyze the standard macroeconomic policies and policy tools, in Canadian context.


Topics:

  • Macroeconomic Aggregates & National Accounts
  • Long-Run Economic Performance
  • Neoclassical (Solow) Growth Model & Other Ideas about Long-Run Economic Growth
  • Business Cycles & Stabilization Policies
  • IS-LM Model for Analysis of Short-Run Equilibria & Shocks
  • Money & Banking System
  • Bank of Canada & Canadian Monetary Policy
  • Budget Balance and Canadian Fiscal Policy
  • International Trade, Exchange Rates, & Trade Policies

Grading

  • Quizzes 15%
  • Assignments 35%
  • Midterm Tests 30%
  • Final Exam 20%

NOTES:

These grading weights are subject to changes to be announced during the first week of classes.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Abel, Bernanke, Croushore & Kneebone, Macroeconomics, Eighth Canadian Edition, Pearson Education Canada, 2019. ISBN: 978-0134842615


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Starting Fall 2020, final exam schedules will be released in October. This will allow students to avoid enrollment conflicts, and will significantly reduce instances of exam hardship. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the final exam period December 9 - 20 until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).