Course Syllabus

Teacher: Mr. Moerer- Rm.#5

Course Title: Macroeconomics-CCC

Curriculum Area: Social Studies

Course Description:
Economics is a way of thinking with the goal of getting the most from any resourcemoney, time, or natural resources. The course will begin with a review of microeconomics,
then a focus on macroeconomics, the role of government and international economics. This
is a Central Community College course and will be taught at a college level.
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
Unit1
define economics, distinguish between wants and needs, explain why scarcity is the driving force in economics, identify
the basic economic resources, define opportunity cost, decision making based on opp. cost, use decision making grid,
define efficiency, productivity, division of labor and specialization, identify productivity factors
Unit 2
evaluate capitalism,communism and socialism, define profit, explain the incentive role of profit, explain the relationship
between risk and profit, show link between profit and job creation, explain how prices are set by s/d, show price effects
from surplus or deficit, list factors affecting s/d, explain how market forces affect prices, analyze disparate market effects,
show the information function of markets, illustrate the rationing effect, explain price elasticity, list characteristics of
market types, show how competitive markets clear, demonstrate competition leading to economic efficiency, show how
economic profit leads to competition, identify barriers to entry, prove non-optimal market structures are non-optimal
Unit 3
define components of GDP, distinguish between unemployment types, calculate inflation rates, show how government
affects economic choices, state reasons for gov't intervention in markets, distinguish between public/private goods, give
examples of pos/neg externalities, analyze behavioral effects of taxes, describe the effects of fiscal policy on the
macroeconomy, distinguish between contractionary and expansionary fiscal policies, evaluate economic conditions and
select proper fiscal policies, explain s/d effects on interest rates, detail the role of banks in the flow of money, analyze
effects of interest rate changes, evaluate monetary policies
Unit 4
define global economy, explain why nations trade, distinguish between absolute and comparative advantage, identify
America's major trading partners, identify trade barriers and trade effects, and compare G8 and LDC economies

Text and Materials:

This course will be structured on my text, notes and handouts. and the Mankiw textPrinciples of Macroeconomics. We will also be reading selections from a book on Adam
Smiths Wealth of Nations and, perhaps, Freakonomics.
Grading Policy:
30% daily grades, 70% test Daily grades are on a +, -, 0 scale where a + equals a 100
(indicating honest effort on all the assignment), a - equals a 50% (indicating a poor effort)
and a zero equal to the amount of work accomplished. Tests are graded on a 100 point scale.
Daily assignments may be weighted depending on the length or importance of the
assignment. Assignments will generally be posted on the assignment board on Monday, so
there is no need to claim I didnt know as a reason for not completing an assignment.
Additional grading policies are found in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy:
There is a long-proven relationship between attendance and grades. Be here and
work if you intend to earn a good grade.
General Rules:

Any behavior which reduces attention to the class plan is forbidden.

You will be treated according to your behavior- act as an adult, youll be treated as an
adult. Behave as a child, you will be treated as a child. Penalties for misbehavior will vary
according to the violation and past record of behavior. Be respectful, be focused, work hard.
Bathroom/ locker/water- take care of these before/after class with the exception of a
restroom emergency. Phone calls- nope. Unauthorized use of electronic devices is banned
and will result in penalties (3 Strikes/ cell prison). Gum/candy/pop- if I see or hear it
(including wrappers), you lose it. Talking- when called on or when discussing an issue in
groups, it is good; when someone is talking for the benefit of the class (answering a
question, etc..) you should refrain from talking.

Course Outline:
Weeks 1-6

basic economic conceptsi ncluding microeconomic concepts

test #1
Weeks 4-16
macroeconomic concepts
2 tests- exact content tba
Weeks 16-18 international economics
test- may be tied into a macro test