Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - ECON 403 D100

Advanced Macroeconomic Theory (3)

Class Number: 3722

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2022
    Sun, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 302, 305 and 331, all with a minimum grade of C-. Students who have completed both MATH 232 and 251 may substitute them for ECON 331. Entry into this course requires a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced coverage of macroeconomic theory for students intending to pursue graduate study in economics. Topics may include economic growth, business cycles, and monetary theory. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an advanced undergraduate course in theoretical and applied macro-economics. The aim of the course is broad in scope to prepare students for further graduate study in macroeconomics and also to ensure that all students leave the course with a policy-relevant toolkit.

The course will cover five key topics:

(1)   Growth theory and institutions

(2)   General equilibrium models of consumption and investment

(3)  Unemployment and search models

(4)  Optimal monetary and fiscal policy

(5)  Behavioral macroeconomics

Because many interesting and practical models do not have analytical solutions, part of the toolkit of any applied macro-economist is a basic knowledge of computational methods. Thus, throughout the term we shall examine some relatively simple computational methods. You will be expected to learn these methods and apply them to assignment problems.

Grading

  • Final Exam 40%
  • Midterm 25%
  • Assignments and In-Class Quizzes 20%
  • Class Presentation 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None. 

All required readings will come from instructor-provided lecture notes. The lectures will be based on material from various articles and topics covered in:

 “Monetary Theory and Policy” by Carl Walsh, MIT, 4th edition, 2017

“Advanced Macroeconomics” by David Romer, McGraw Hill, 5th edition, 2019.

“Economic Growth” by Barro, R. and Sala-i-Martin, MIT, 2003.

 


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 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 SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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 may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.