This is an introductory course focusing on the aggregate economy. Throughout this course we will explore how economies work and how we might influence them. Topics include the various measures of aggregate economic well-being (national income, output, unemployment, money and inflation); the growth, expansions and recessions of economies; the models used to describe how an economy works; and the monetary and fiscal policy instruments used to adjust the economy.
Principles of Macroeconomics, 5th Edition by Robert H Frank and Ben Bernanke, ISBN-13 9780077318505
Course Requirements:
As an introductory course, no prior knowledge of economics is required, however ECON101 is strongly encouraged. Comfort with respect to using basic algebra, graphing and analyzing graphs will be expected.
Intended Audience:
ECON 101 and 102 are required as prerequisites to an Economics major and to upper-level courses in Economics. ECON 102 should not be taken without having taken ECON 101. For majors that require you to take either ECON 101 or 102, it is ECON 101 that you should take, since ECON 102 builds on ECON 101!
Class Format:
The course format consists of three hours of lecture per week (Section 100) by the professor and a one and a half hour section meeting (Sections 101-109) led each week by a graduate student instructor. The section meetings are limited to 35 students. Grades are based on two midterm examinations, one cumulative final examination, and homework assignments.