Econ 2500: 

Principles of Macroeconomics

(Example from Spring 2005 semester)

Instructor:                Dr. Rolando A. Santos

E-mail:                      rsantos@lakelandcc.edu

Office phone:           440-525-7417

Office:                        B-2056

About the Course

Macroeconomics is the study of aggregate economic activity. As such it attempts to explain how, for the entire economic system, the level of employment and output, the level of prices, the rate of growth of output, and the rate of price level change are determined. Presuming that capability, macroeconomics proceeds to provide government policy prescriptions for improving the performance of the economic system.

This course is designed to provide a compact but comprehensive presentation of current mainstream macroeconomic theory, measurement and policy making. The introductory chapters in part I required students to formally recognize the scientific nature of economic analysis; and provides the logical foundation for undertaking the difficult analytical task of constructing models of macroeconomy by discussing the goals of macroeconomic policy.

Required Textbook

The Macro Economy Today by Bradley R. Schiller, McGraw-Irwin Publication, Ninth Edition, New York City, NY.

The Wall Street Journal.

Course Objectives

It is important that students understand macroeconomic principles and theory and are able to apply them to real world settings. At the end of the course, the student is able:

Accessing the Course

Blackboard, which is the Online Instructional system used at Lakeland Community College, can be found online at go to http://bb.lakelandcc.edu/.

Select Login on the Blackboard page.  You will be prompted to enter a User Name and Password. The User Name and Password are identical. Each consists of your first name initial + full last name + last 4 digits of your social security number. You will need your ID and password whenever you want to log on to Blackboard.

Once you have logged on to Blackboard, the entry page contains a course list with links to any course you are enrolled in that has a Blackboard component.

Click on the link for the ECON2500a Online Course.

The course home page should show up  on your screen.  This page has a blue banner, the course name and announcements in the center.

Student Support

If you encounter any technical difficulties you may contact the Lakeland helpdesk for assistance through e-mail (helpdesk@lakelandcc.edu) or by phone (440-525-7000, ask for the help desk).

Navigating the Site

This section identifies links to course content.  The buttons for these links are found on the left hand side of your screen.

Announcements

Look for new announcements each time you log in to the class.  They appear on the  course home page.

Communication

Use this to link to the Discussion Boards, e-mail, and other communication features.

External Links

External links connect you to websites related to the topics we will study during the course.

Tools

Use this link to find the Digital Drop Box and to check your grades, along with other functions.

How to Succeed in this Course

1. Regular participation in the class, especially the discussion forum, is critical.

2.  Complete all assignments on time and follow all instructions.  All assignments are due on Sundays, and are available for you to work on two weeks in advance of due dates.

3. Get to know your fellow students and your professor, beginning with Week 1.

4. Seek out new sources of information related to this subject and share with peers.

5. Ask questions.

6.  Be respectful of other student’s divergent opinions, although lively discussions are encouraged.

To The Student

Many students find economics a difficult subject because, unlike many other courses a college student takes, economics cannot be mastered through memorization. Economics relies on economic theories to explain real world occurrences. An economic theory is simply a logical explanation of why the facts fit together in a particular way.

The successful student will be the one who learns that economics is built upon a number of fairly simple and easy-to-understand propositions - these propositions are typically little more than common sense and should not intimidate a student.

Another factor that can make economics difficult is that like other disciplines - economics has its own specific vocabulary, many of which may already be familiar to you. Economists, however, use the vocabulary of economics in a very exact way, and often the common usage of a term is not the same as the economic usage.

Academic Honesty

The Academic Honesty Code of Lakeland Community College will be strictly enforced. In accordance with the university policy, any attempt to cheat on quizzes or exams will result in an automatic "F" in the course and a report will be forwarded to the Dean.

Class Attendance and Participation

You are expected to attend "class" consistently, do the assigned homework and participate in the Discussion Board forums. "Class" attendance is extremely important and low grades are often associated with those who choose not to participate.

Grading

Class Standing ........................ 10%
Quizzes ................................. 10%
Midterm Exam ......................... 40%
Final Exam ............................. 40%
Total ................................... 100%

*Note: Class standing includes forum discussions and assignments.

The exam will consist of definitions from the back of the chapters (key terms), problem solving and essay type questions. Most questions will be designed to test your reasoning and logical explanation. You should also expect some applied questions on the exams. Illustrations of such questions will be provided during the "lecture hour".

Students are expected to take all exams and submit their assignments on time. Failure to do so will result in a "F" on any exam not taken or assignments not submitted.There will be no make-up exam. (Exception: a make up exam will be given only in case of medical emergency, however, it is left to the student to provide sufficient evidence of that extent. The student is also expected to inform the professor in advance of his/her reasons for not taking the exam.) There will be no make up quizzes regardless of the reason.

All questions on the exam will be from the material provided in Course Documents, the chapters assigned and the syllabus.

Grading Scale

Help with Blackboard or other Computer Problems

Contact the help desk:  (440) 252-7000 EXT. 5112; helpdesk@lakelandcc.edu

Further information is also available at http://www.lakelandcc.edu/dl/.

Back to Top

Course Outline

Back to Top