AEM 1300 - Macroeconomic Theory and Policy

(SBA-AG)

Summer. 3 credits.

Forbidden Overlap: ECON 1120.
Prerequisites: simple algebra and a basic knowledge of recent US history.

A. Basu, S. Kyle.

This course is an introduction to macroeconomic analysis at the college level and the issues that are most important to the national debate culminating in the 2016 election. A simple model of the macroeconomy is introduced and then used to illuminate these issues through examination of empirical data. Among the topics covered are: How Big Should the Government Be and Should We Care About the Government Deficit? Who Should We Tax and How Much? Social Security – What Is It and Should You Care? Health Insurance and Obamacare The European Crisis – The Difference between Spain and Florida Inflation and the Zero Lower Bound To Regulate or Not? The Crash of 2009 – Déjà Vu All Over Again? Immigration and Economic Growth China and the US Income Distribution.

Outcome 1: Identify the basic structure of the US Economy.

Outcome 2: Explain a simple macroeconomic model of how the economy works to generate growth and employment.

Outcome 3: Illustrate how macroeconomic aggregates (such as GDP, inflation, employment) are measured.

Outcome 4: Identify data sources for macroeconomic variables.

Outcome 5: Use all of the above to critique important macroeconomic issues of the present time.