INTRODUCTION TO MACRO ECONOMICS

Course No

:

BUS 203

Course Title

:

INTRODUCTION TO MACRO ECONOMICS

Prerequisites

:

BUS 103

Course Type

:

Major

Faculty Member

:

Dr. ; Room # ; Telephone ; e-mail ;

Office Hours

:

 

Class Time

:

 

Lecture Class

:

 

Course Objectives:
The course provides a comprehensive introduction to macroeconomic theory and policy. It aims to develop students' capacity to use economic concepts and techniques to analyze the behavior of the macro economy. The goal is to illustrate the usefulness of these principles and methods in solving macroeconomic problems in real life.

Course Description :
This course teaches students the fundamental principles and methods of modern macroeconomic theory. The main topics include the determination of output, employment, unemployment, interest rates, and inflation. Monetary and fiscal policies are discussed, as are the public debt and international economic issues.

Course Outline:
•  Objectives of macroeconomic policy.
•  Unemployment: causes and cures.
•  Inflation: causes and cures.
•  Balance of payments and exchange rates.
•  Business cycles: causes and control.
•  Economic growth: nature, causes and policy to promote.

Learning Outcomes:
After completing the course the student should be able to:
•  describe the main objectives of macroeconomic policy.
•  to evaluate the impacts and understand cures of inflation and unemployment on personal decision
making
•  identify the meaning and measurement of the balance of payments and different types of exchange rate regime.
•  understand the causes of, and policy response to, business cycles
•  understand the nature and causes of economic growth.
•  articulate fiscal policy and monetary policy impacts on the economy

Skills to be developed:
This course helps students in developing the following skills:
•  Communication (Oral & written) Through Assignments, Case Study discussions and
Examinations
•  Analytical Through Case studies and examinations
•  Team Work Through Case studies
•  Creative Thinking Through Case studies, assignments, classroom
discussions
•  Adaptability to Change Through Case studies, and examinations
•  Ethics Through lectures and assignments
•  Use of Information Technology Through use of PCs, Internet, CD-ROM, Statistical
data base in the library
•  International issues Through Case studies, assignments, classroom
discussions, and examinations

Evaluating Student Performance:
Class participation and attendance 10%
Individual assignments 20%
Mid-term examination 20%
Final Exam 30%

Assignment

LO1

LO2

LO3

LO4

LO5

LO6

Class Participation

 

 

 

X

 

 

Class Assignments

 

 

 

X

 

 

Mid-term exam

X

X

X

X

X

X

Final exam

X

X

X

X

X

X

Grading:
Percentage Score Letter Grade GPA Points Percentage Score Letter Grade GPA Points
90 – 100 A 4.0 70 - 74 C 2.0
85 - 89 B+ 3.5 65 - 69 D+ 1.5
80 - 84 B 3.0 60 - 64 D 1.0
75 - 79 C+ 2,5 < 60 F 0.0

Educational Resources: 

Educational Resource

Description

Comments

Textbooks Required

Vane, H.R. & Thompson, J. L. (1993) 'An Introduction to Macroeconomic Policy' , 3 rd ed.

 

 

Begg, D., Fischer, S. and Dornbusch, R. (1997) 'Economics' 5 th ed.

 

 

 

 

References

Mulhearn, C. & Vane, H.R. (1999) 'Economics'

 

 

Lipsey, R & Chrystal, K.A. (1995) 'Introduction to Positive Economics' 8 th ed.

 

 

Macroeconomics; 5 th ed: Gregory Mankiw, Worth 2002)

 

 

Campbell McConnell and Stanley Brue: Macroeconomics, 15 th ed.

 

 

 

 

Journals

Journal of Economics

 

 

 

 

Computers

Internet searches for obtaining info on Islamic traditions and Values

 

 

 

 

CD - ROM :

(CD-ROM) data base in the library + Action learning through CD

 

 

Accompanying the textbook

 

Other Resources:

Library resources, Internet search of periodicals

 

Course Schedule & Outline:
Sixteen Week Semester, 3 hrs/Wk 

Date

Week

Outline Syllabus

Learning Outcomes

Homework Assignments, Due dates

February 12/2-16/2

1

LO1

February

19/2-23/2

2

 

LO2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May

28/5- 31/5

 

General Review