Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - ECON 105 D900

Principles of Macroeconomics (4)

Class Number: 1817

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The principal elements of theory concerning money and income, distribution, social accounts, public finance, international trade, comparative systems, and development and growth. Quantitative/Breadth-Soc.

COURSE DETAILS:

While microeconomics focuses on individual decisions and their interactions, macroeconomics mainly studies the economy as a whole. Specifically, ECON 105 examines the overall economic performance of an economy by analyzing national income, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, business cycles, among others. We will discuss the determinants of these variables and how they are influenced by institutions and government policy.

Throughout the semester, our goal is to develop a basic understanding of how the macroeconomy functions, including when it operates well, when it encounters issues, and the role of government in influencing its performance.

Topics:

Unless indicated otherwise, topics refer to the corresponding chapters in the textbook. Additional readings or supplementary slides may be provided during the course delivery. Some chapters/parts may be skipped due to the limited time.

This course aims to cover topics as follows (time permitting).

  1. Introduction

  Chapter 1 Ten Principles of Economics

  Chapter 2 Thinking Like an Economist

  Chapter 3 Interdependence and the Gains from Trade

  1. Supply and Demand: How Markets Work

  Chapter 4 The Market Forces of Supply and Demand

  1. The Data of Macroeconomics

  Chapter 5 Measuring a Nation’s Income

  Chapter 6 Measuring the Cost of Living

  1. The Real Economy in the Long Run

  Chapter 7 Product and Growth

  Chapter 8 Saving, Investment and the Financial System

  Chapter 9 Unemployment and Its Natural Rate

  1. Money and Prices in the Long Run

  Chapter 10 The Money System

  Chapter 11 Money Growth and Inflation

  1. The Macroeconomics of Open Economies

  Chapter 12 Open-Economy Macroeconomics: Basic Concepts

  Chapter 13 A Macroeconomic Theory of the Small Open Economy

  1. Short-Run Economic Fluctuations

  Chapter 14. Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply.

  Chapter 15 The Influence of Monetary Policy on Aggregate Demand.

  Chapter 16 The Influence of Fiscal Policy on Aggregate Demand.

  Chapter 17 The Short-Run Tradeoff between Inflation and Unemployment.

Grading

  • Class/Tutorial Participation, and/or Quizzes 20%
  • Midterm Exam 1 20%
  • Midterm Exam 2 20%
  • Final Exam (cumulative) 40%

NOTES:

Notes:

  1. Further information regarding readings, quizzes, and exams will be discussed during lectures.
  2. We will have approximately five quick quizzes throughout the course. Since quizzes contribute to the attendance grade, they will be given in class, and the dates will not be announced in advance. However, you may be exempt from one quiz without needing to provide any explanation.
  3. The tentative dates for the midterm exams will be announced in the first lecture, but they are subject to change based on the course’s progress or unforeseen interruptions to the class schedules. The final dates will be confirmed at least one week in advance.
  4. There are no make-up exams for midterms. Students who miss a midterm due to circumstances beyond their control (such as illness or accidents) should provide documentation to verify their absence, and the corresponding weight will then be transferred to subsequent exams.
  5. If a student performs significantly better on the final exam than on the midterms, part of the midterm weight may be transferred to the final exam at the instructor’s discretion. This policy does not apply if the student does not attend the midterms.
  6. Students’ original exam grades may be curved/adjusted using a linear transformation.

 

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Mankiw, Kneebone and McKenzie, Principles of Macroeconomics, 9th Canadian Edition (or a former edition), Cengage.


RECOMMENDED READING:

Slides and other readings will be available on Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period 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 website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.