Syllabus: ECON 4002.01
Intermediate Macroeconomics Theory
Autumn 2023
Instructor: Hui-Jun Chen
Last Update: October 31, 2023
Lastest Version: Click Here

Contents

 Course Overview
 Grades
 Grading Policy
 Examinations Integrity Policies
  Curving
  Problem Sets
  Midterm & Final weight change
 Tentative Course Schedule

Course Overview

Grades

Categories

Points

Problem sets on course material

20 points

Midterm Exam

35 points

Final Exam

35 points

Attendance

10 points

Total

100 points

See course schedule, below, for due dates

Grading Policy

Examinations Integrity Policies

Problem Sets: Discussions are encouraged, but each person must hand in their own quiz on Carmen.

Examinations: Discussions are forbidden, either face to face or via online discussion board / Social media.

Curving

If less than 40% of the students get A- or above, I will add some points to everybody until 40% of the students get A- or above, but I don’t expect this to occur.

Problem Sets

There are four problem sets and each of them worth 5 points. The way to calculate semester grade on problem set is by correct answerstotal number of questions×5. For example, if there are 36 questions and you answer 30 correctly, then you will get 3036×54.16 points in semester grade.

Problem sets will be answered on Carmen, which the answer required for Carmen points should be precisely related to the pdf file provided on the course website.

Midterm & Final weight change

After the midterm exam, there will be a survey on Carmen asking whether you want to change the weight between midterm and final from 35 points each to 10 points for midterm and 60 points for final. This survey will due before the final exam date, and you cannot change the weight between midterm and final after you took the final exam.

Tentative Course Schedule

Wk

Days

Deadlines

Topics and Readings

1

08/23
08/25

Topic: Introduction
Topic: Measurement I

2

08/30
09/01

Topic: Measurement II
Topic: Consumer Preference I

3

09/06
09/08

Problem Set 1
Deadline: 09/10 11:59pm

Topic: Consumer Preference II
Topic: Examples

4

09/13
09/15

Topic: Firms
Topic: Competitive Equilibrium

5

09/20
09/22

Topic: Social Planer’s Problem
Topic: Examples

6

09/27
09/29

Problem Set 2
Deadline: 10/01 11:59pm

Topic: Distorting Taxes
Customized Class: TBA

7

10/04
10/06

Customized Class: TBA
Midterm Review

8

10/11

Midterm

8

10/12-13

Fall break

9

10/18

Topic: Two Period Consumer Problem
Topic: Two Period Equilibrium

9

10/20

No class: Conference at WUSTL

10

10/25
10/27

Topic: RBC Model Part 1: Consumer
Topic: RBC Model Part 2: Firm

11

11/01
11/03

Topic: RBC Model Part 3: Competitive Equilibrium

12

11/08

Topic: RBC Model Part 4: Examples

12

11/10

Problem Set 3
Deadline: 11/12 11:59pm

Veterans Day

13

11/15
11/17

Topic: RBC Model Part 5: Applications

14

11/22-24

Problem Set 4
Deadline: 11/26 11:59pm

Thanksgiving
Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day

15

11/29
12/01

Customized Class: TBA

16

12/06

Final Review

17

12/08-14

Final Exam: Exact Date TBA

Course learning outcomes

Social Science Goal

Students understand the systematic study of human behavior and cognition; the structure of human societies, cultures, and institutions; and the processes by which individuals, groups, and societies interact, communicate, and use human, natural, and economic resources.

Organizations and Polities Expected Learning Outcomes

  1. Students understand the theories and methods of social scientific inquiry as they apply to the study of organizations and polities.
  2. Students understand the formation and durability of political, economic, and social organizing principles and their differences and similarities across contexts.
  3. Students comprehend and assess the nature and values of organizations and polities and their importance in social problem solving and policy making.

This class addresses the theories and methods of social scientific inquiry through discussion of supply and demand at the national level, and the measurement of national income and other macroeconomic measures, along with applications to current events.

Students will learn about the formation and durability of political, economic, and social organizing principles through discussions of the origin and structure of central banks as well as other international organizations, and fiscal and monetary policy. These topics will include discussion of various commonly accepted points of view.

Students will comprehend and assess the nature and values of organizations and polities and their importance in social problem solving and policy making through discussion of fiscal and monetary policy, business cycles and the Federal Reserve Bank, including its values and objectives.

Ohio State’s academic integrity policy

Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, The Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) expect that all students have read and understand the University’s Code of Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly assignments with fairness and honesty. Students must recognize that failure to follow the rules and guidelines established in the University’s Code of Student Conduct and this syllabus may constitute “Academic Misconduct.”

The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct (Section 3335-23-04) defines academic misconduct as: “Any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the University, or subvert the educational process.” Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another student, and possession of unauthorized materials during an examination. Ignorance of the University’s Code of Student Conduct is never considered an “excuse” for academic misconduct, so I recommend that you review the Code of Student Conduct and, specifically, the sections dealing with academic misconduct.

If I suspect that a student has committed academic misconduct in this course, I am obligated by University Rules to report my suspicions to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. If COAM determines that you have violated the University’s Code of Student Conduct (i.e., committed academic misconduct), the sanctions for the misconduct could include a failing grade in this course and suspension or dismissal from the University.

If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please contact me.

Other sources of information on academic misconduct (integrity) to which you can refer include:

Violating university or course rules as contained in the course syllabus or other information provided to the student in regard to student classroom conduct may result in your being removed from the class rolls.

Other Policies

Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated. They should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. Students who feel that they need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office for Disability Service. General information is available at http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu.

The core material contained within this syllabus will either be discussed in class or assigned as required reading.

If you decide not to complete the course, please formally withdraw from the class. Failure to officially withdraw will result in an “E” on your transcript and you will have foregone the opportunity to receive a refund (partial or full).

You are expected to be on time to class. In those events when you do arrive at class late, please find a seat as quietly and unobtrusively as possible. Do not interrupt class to hand in assignments or request materials. An opportunity will be provided for these activities at an appropriate time.

We will be doing in-class participation exercises that work via the internet. Please be sure to bring a mobile device (laptop, tablet, or smartphone) with you to class each day.

Economics Learning Center

Information can be found at https://economics.osu.edu/economics-learning-center.

Grading scale