Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - ECON 305 D100

Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (4)

Class Number: 1766

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 16, 2020
    Sun, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Location: TBA

  • 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 covers main concepts and models of macroeconomic analysis. The topics to be discussed include classical growth models, employment, savings and investment, government, business cycles in both flexible and sticky prices setup, as well as monetary and fiscal policies.

Grading:

  • The course will be delivered through Zoom. Class presence and participation will count for 10% of your grade. There will be attendance taken at all lectures, and extra points will be given to encourage your active class participation and discussion. 
  • There will be five take-home problem sets, each of which counts for 4% of your grade. Problem sets will be posted on Canvas at least 7 days before the due date. They (scanned of your handwritten work or typed-in) will be submitted on Canvas. Late submissions will have 2 points taken. You must turn in your own work. Identical or essentially similar submissions will receive a zero grade.
  • There will be four in-class quizzes, each of which counts for 5% of your grade. Each quiz will be given through Canvas in the beginning of 5 lectures chosen randomly, and will take around 10 minutes.
  • The midterm exam will count for 15% of your grade. The way to conduct the midterm is to be determined. There will be no make-up midterm exams. If you miss the midterm for a valid reason, the weight will be distributed onto the final.
  • The essay counts for 15% of your grade. The topic and instructions of the essay will be given on Canvas at least 14 days before the due date. Your work will be submitted on Canvas.
  • The final exam will count for 20% of your grade. The way to conduct the midterm is to be determined. If you miss the final exam for a valid reason, a makeup exam will be arranged in line with SFU policy.  

Please note: This course is reserved for students declared in the ECON major only.

Tentative Schedule:    

Week 1: Introduction; Measurement of the macroeconomy and welfare  
Week 2: Economic Growth: Solow model  
Week 3: Cross-country Income Disparity and Endogenous Growth  
Week 4: The Labor-Leisure Decision and Labor Market  
Week 5: The Consumption-Savings Decision and Credit Market  
Week 6: Government; Ricardian Equivalence  
Week 7: Money, Banking, and Prices  
Week 8: Real Business Cycle Model: Flexible Prices  
Week 9: New Keynesian Model: Sticky Prices; The IS Curve  
Week 10: New Keynesian Model: The Phillips Curve; Monetary Policy  
Week 11: Open Economy: Exchange Rates and Policies  
Week 12: International Trade of Goods and Assets

Topics:  Growth theory, employment, investment and credit market, government, money and banking, real business cycle, new Keynesian model, monetary and fiscal policies, open economy.

Grading

  • Class presence and participation 10%
  • 5 take-home problem sets (5 x 4%) 20%
  • 4 in-class quizzes (4 x 5%) 20%
  • Midterm 15%
  • Essay 15%
  • Final exam 20%
  • Note: These grading weights are subject to changes to be announced during the first week of classes.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Jones, Charles I. Macroeconomics, 4th edition, 2017, WW Norton & Co.
ISBN: 9780393602487

RECOMMENDED READING:

Williamson, Stephen D. Macroeconomics, 6th Canadian edition, eBookk. Pearson, 2020.
ISBN: 978-0135651568

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.

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 SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course 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.

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) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.