Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - ECON 305 D100

Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (4)

Class Number: 2323

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

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

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 or 301, 60 units. Students with a minimum grade of A- in ECON 103 and 105 at Simon Fraser University at their first attempt can complete ECON 305 concurrently with ECON 201 after 30 units. Students seeking permission to register on this basis must contact the undergraduate advisor in economics.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Concepts and methods of analysis of macroeconomic variables -- consumption, investment, government and foreign trade. Classical and Keynesian models compared; analysis of economic statics and dynamics. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to macroeconomic theory. We will learn about the theory of income, employment and prices under static and dynamic conditions. The main topics are: the theory of long-run GDP growth and development, the theory of short-run fluctuations in GDP and employment (business-cycles), and monetary theory. We will learn how to apply these theories to analyse economic policies. Applications of the theories to world income inequality and examples of recent economic crises, such as Covid-19 will also be included.

Topics: Static and Dynamic Models of the Economy, Unemployment, Economic Growth, Money and Business Cycles, Financial Markets

Required Technology: Course materials will be posted on the Canvas web page, including outlines of each lecture. Lectures will be conducted remotely, using Zoom or whatever technology is decreed by SFU at the start of the semester. In-class quizzes will be conducted via TopHat, which requires a small additional fee to be paid by the student. There will be a weekly office hour that will be conducted via Zoom meetings or by appointment. All other communication with the professor and teaching assistants will be via email.

Grading

  • Participation 5%
  • In-class quizzes 5%
  • Tutorial quizzes 10%
  • 2 midterm exams (25% each) 50%
  • Final exam 30%

NOTES:

Student attendance will be required at each lecture and tutorial session.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Macroeconomics 6th Canadian edition 2020 by Mankiw & Scarth (an older version of the textbook will also be fine).
ebook ISBN: 9781319259297
with SaplingPlus: 9781319259389


RECOMMENDED READING:

Additional materials will be provided on the course website on Canvas.


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).