Principles of Macroeconomics - Fall 2018
WEEK ONE
1.
The first day of class served as an introduction to the course and to the social science of economics. Course materials included:
Syllabus for paper-based section and tablet-based section
Copies of the same syllabi formatted to the university template are available here and here
Attendance, participation, and professionalism rubric
Absence Notification Form (requires Fresno State login)
Google Classroom (requires Fresno State login)
Guidelines for policy debate assignment for paper-based section and tablet-based section
Slides for paper-based section and tablet-based section, which are always a complement to and never a substitute for attending class
Guided notes for paper-based section and tablet-based section, which are always yours to keep and meant to facilitate your note-taking
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section, where you always need to be in class to do in-class activities and you should always turn them in by the end of class
First homework (requires Fresno State login), where homeworks are always due by the beginning of the next class after they're assigned
Extra credit opportunity discussed in class
WEEK TWO
2.
On the second day, we discussed our first model: the Production Possibilities Frontier (PPF).
Guided notes and handout on shape of PPF
In-class activity for paper-based and tablet-based section
Second homework with a mix of review and new stuff (Fresno State login required)
3.
On the third day, we discussed economists' favorite model: the supply-and-demand model of the market for a particular good or service.
Guided notes and handout on supply-and-demand model
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
Third homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK THREE
4.
On the fourth day, we discussed our first key macroeconomic variable: unemployment.
In-class activity for paper-based and tablet-based section
Handout on 100 dogs and 94 bones for paper-based and tablet-based section
Fourth homework (Fresno State login required)
5.
On the fifth day, we discussed our next key macro variable: the price level.
In-class activity for paper-based and tablet-based section
Handout on supply-and-demand model of labor market
Fifth homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK FOUR
6.
On the sixth day, we discussed Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In-class activity for paper-based section and Google Classroom question for tablet-based section
Sixth homework (Fresno State login required)
7.
On the seventh day, we discussed money, interest rates, and foreign exchange rates.
In-class activity for paper-based and Quizziz for tablet-based section
Handout on nominal vs. real interest rates
Seventh homework, which is a practice exam and a self-assessment (Fresno State login required)
WEEK FIVE
8.
On the eighth day, we reviewed for our first midterm exam.
Slides for paper-based section and tablet-based section
In-class activity for paper-based section and Kahoot with questions for tablet-based section
No homework, except to study for our first midterm exam.
9.
On the ninth day, we took our first midterm exam.
No homework, except to read handout for after exam
WEEK SIX
10.
On the 10th day, we mastered the art of economic modeling.
Handout and in-class activity for paper-based section
Handout and collaborative slides with additional instructions for tablet-based section
Optional exam wrapper (Fresno State login required)
Required eighth homework for paper-based section and tablet-based section (Fresno State login required), which asks you to pick your policy debate question
11.
On the 11th day, we briefly discussed the history of economic thought, in general, and began to discuss Classical economic thought, in particular.
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
Ninth homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK SEVEN
12.
On the 12th day, we wrapped up our discussion of Classical economic thought and started to discuss Keynesian economic thought.
In-class activity for paper-based section and GoFormative for tablet-based section
10th homework (Fresno State login required)
13.
On the 13th day, we discussed the "Keynesian cross" model.
Guide to Keynesian cross model
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
11th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK EIGHT
14.
On the 14th day, we continued our discussion the Keynesian cross model, in particular, and the Keynesian perspective, in general.
Handouts
In-class activity for paper-based section and GoFormative for tablet-based section
12th homework for paper-based section and tablet-based section (Fresno State login required)
15.
On the 15th day, we wrapped up our discussion of Keynesian economics and discussed the Austerian perspective.
In-class activity for paper-based section and GoFormative for tablet-based section
13th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK NINE
16.
On the 16th day, we did a mini-review and preview.
Gallup Test of Economic Literacy slides
In-class activity for paper-based section and Kahoot! for tablet-based section
14th homework (Fresno State login required), which is another practice exam
17.
On the 17th day, we discussed the "Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply" (AD-AS) model
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
15th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK TEN
18.
On the 18th day, we continued to discuss the AD-AS model, wrapped up our discussion of fiscal policy, and started to discuss monetary policy.
In-class activity for paper-based section and GoFormative for tablet-based section
No homework, except to work on paper due next time
19.
On the 19th day, the first part of your policy debate assignment was due and we discussed money, the money supply, and the money multiplier theory.
Handout on money multiplier theory
Heads up on next in-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
16th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK ELEVEN
20.
On the 20th day, we continued our discussion of the money multiplier theory.
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
17th homework (Fresno State login required)
21.
On the 21st day, we continued our discussion of monetary policy.
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
Handout on second midterm exam, too
18th homework (Fresno State login required), which is another practice exam
WEEK TWELVE
22.
On the 22nd day, we reviewed for our second midterm exam.
Another handout on second midterm exam
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
No homework, except to study for exam
Copy of first, second, third practice exams
23.
On the 23rd day, we took our second midterm exam.
WEEK THIRTEEN
24.
On the 24th day, we started to discuss open-economy issues, focusing on FOREX rates.
Handout on supply-and-demand model of FOREX rates
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
Another optional "exam wrapper" homework assignment
25.
On the 25th day, we continued our discussion of international finance.
In-class activity for paper-based section and tablet-based section
19th homework (Fresno State login required)
WEEK FOURTEEN
26.
On the 26th day, we wrapped up our discussion of international finance and started to discuss international trade.
In-class activity for paper-based section and see slides for tablet-based section
20th homework (Fresno State login required)
Thanksgiving break
WEEK FIFTEEN
27.
On the 27th day, we started to discuss international trade.
In-class activity for paper-based section and GoFormative for tablet-based section
No homework, except to work on policy debate presentation.
28.
On the 28th day, we wrapped up our discussion of international trade.
Slides and student version
No homework, except to be ready to give policy debate presentation.
WEEK SIXTEEN
29.
On the 29th day, the second part of your policy debate assignment was due and presentations started.
Multi-day in-class activity for paper-based and tablet-based section
21st homework, which will be the basis for our exam review (Fresno State login required)
30.
On the 30th day, we'll wrap up any remaining presentations and start reviewing for the final exam.
22nd homework, another self-assessment, which will be the last required homework (Fresno State login required)
Also, extra credit opportunity as optional homework
WEEK SEVENTEEN
31.
On the last day of scheduled instruction, we reviewed for the final exam, which will be held on its scheduled date and time.
In-class activity for paper-based and tablet-based section