Course

Course Summary
Credit Type:
Course
ACE ID:
KSLG-0021
Organization's ID:
GTWY-0021
Organization:
Location:
Online
Length:
8 weeks (18 hours a week of inside and outside class time)
Dates Offered:
Credit Recommendation & Competencies
Level Credits (SH) Subject
Lower-Division Baccalaureate 3 Principles of Macroeconomics
Description

Objective:

The course objective is to provide an introductory survey of the economic concepts that are commonly used in understanding economic issues at the aggregate, or national level, with the emphasis on examining the overall functioning of the economy, exploring and understanding such phenomena as gross domestic product, national income, unemployment, inflation, the business cycle, as well as the fiscal and monetary policy tools that can be used to achieve a desired economic objective. In addition, the course will provide a basic understanding of international economics, with a focus on exchange rates, international trade and balance of payment dynamics.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Recall the basic concepts of the macroeconomy, such as scarcity, opportunity costs, the factors of production, comparative advantage, specialization, exchange, division of labor and supply, demand and market equilibrium.
  • Critique key economic systems, with emphasis on the free market system, the centrally-planned economy and the modern economy.
  • Describe and understand the business cycle and its phases, as well as its determinants and outcomes.
  • Explain the significance and implications of national income accounts and its components, especially gross domestic product (GDP) and the concept of nominal versus real GDP.
  • Explain the significance and implications of inflation and unemployment.
  • Describe and understand aggregate demand and supply, and its components, the macroeconomic equilibrium and price-output effects and the achievement of long-term growth and productivity.
  • Examine the role, significance and implications of critical economic policy levers, with an emphasis on fiscal policy, monetary policy and supply-side policies: its uses, advantages and disadvantages.
  • Examine the role, significance and implications of the money supply, money creation, the financial sector and the role of central banks
  • Recognize basic elements of international economics, with a focus on global exchanges rates, international trade and balance of payment dynamics.
  • Recall the basic concepts of the macroeconomy, such as scarcity, opportunity costs, the factors of production, comparative advantage, specialization, exchange, division of labor and supply, demand and market equilibrium

General Topics:

  • Basics of Concepts of Economics
  • Economic Performance - Measuring Growth, Inflation and Unemployment
  • The Business Cycle
  • National Income and Price Determination
  • Economic Growth and Productivity
  • Stabilization Policies – Fiscal, Monetary and Supply-Side Policy Measures
  • Money, Banking and the Financial Sector
  • Basic Concepts of International Economics
Instruction & Assessment

Instructional Strategies:

  • Audio Visual Materials
  • Discussion
  • Lectures
  • Practical Exercises

Methods of Assessment:

  • Quizzes
  • Written Papers

Minimum Passing Score:

70%
Supplemental Materials