Economics 302: Macroeconomic Analysis

Economics 300 (or the equivalent) is the only formal prerequisite for this course, as it presumes completion of an introductory course with significant macroeconomic content (such as Economics 110). We will use calculus and regression analysis at various times in this course.

The lectures will form the basis for the content of the course, and for the material that will appear on the exams. Lectures will be supplemented by the textbook: Blanchard, Macroeconomics, 4th edition, © 2006, and numerous additional readings are available on the course web site. (While the 3rd edition of Blanchard can substitute for the 4th, there are a few important differences between the two editions, so purchase the 4th if you can.) Students also are expected to regularly read national and international news sources to stay abreast of current macroeconomic events.

There will be four problem sets assigned during the semester. Up to two students may work on a problem set together; both names must appear on the submitted problem set. (No names can be added later.) Problem sets will be posted to the course web site at least two weeks prior to their due date. They should be submitted at the beginning of class; they must be placed in the Econ 302 drop-slot in the alcove by 4 PM on the Wednesday they are due. Late problem sets will not be accepted.

During weeks in which a problem set is not due, there will be a short (usually 3 multiple choice questions) in-class quiz. Quizzes questions will cover recently covered topics from lecture and recently assigned readings. There will be six to eight quizzes during the semester; the lowest quiz score will be dropped.

The midterm exam will be held in the evening of Thursday, March 8, from 7 – 9 PM, with the location to be announced. No alternative exams will be offered. An unexcused absence from the midterm exam will result in a failing grade for the course. Do not enroll for this course if you cannot take the midterm exam as scheduled.

The final exam has been scheduled by the Registrar's Office for Thursday, May 17, from 2 – 5 PM, with the location to be announced. The final exam is cumulative. No alternative exam times will be offered. Students who do not take the final exam at this time will receive a failing grade for the course. Do not enroll for this course if you cannot take the final exam at the above time.

Answering questions in lecture and, equally importantly, asking questions will constitute a portion of the participation grade. Additional opportunities for credit towards participation will be announced during the course of the semester.

An overall grade for the course will be computed from the maximum of the following two weighting schemes:

I will hold a review session prior to each of the exams. The place and time for these review sessions will be announced during the semester.

All work submitted for a grade in this course must be your own original work. As noted above, you may work with one other student enrolled in this course on the problem sets. Submitting the work of another person as your own would constitute plagiarism under Wesleyan's Honor Code, and will not be tolerated. If you have any questions about the application of the Honor Code, please contact me.

Should a personal emergency necessitate missing a scheduled exam, contact me as soon as possible prior to the exam date. Any such absence requires written certification from the Deans' Office. An unexcused absence from either exam will result in a failing grade for the course. Problem sets and quizzes cannot be submitted for credit after the date due.

Electronic mail is my preferred way of being contacted. Normally I will respond within a day, excluding illness and travel. As my e-mail volume is large and automatically sorted, placing the phrase "ECON 302" in the subject line — plus a meaningful description of your message — is likely to result in a faster reply than a blank or generic subject.

My office is PAC 308. I will be available for questions during office hours and by appointment. If the door is open wide you should feel free to drop in, but understand that we may need to schedule a later appointment. If the door is closed, I am either not in or not available to meet with students.

As I am always looking to improve this course, I greatly appreciate your comments — regarding both what you like and what you don't — throughout the semester.