MindTap is an online platform used for homework and exercises in this course. Access to the MindTap courseware is required, which includes an electronic version of the textbook for the course:

Mankiw, N. Gregory. Brief Principles of Macroeconomics, 8th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. 2018. MindTap Access ISBN: 9781337096621

There is a free two week access to MindTap for immediate access to the course materials. However, after two weeks students must purchase the product.

NOTE: A physical copy of the textbook is NOT required for this class. If students want a print copy of the textbook, they can buy the bookstore bundle or buy/rent a used copy.

The instructor will post instructions for accessing the class MindTap in Resources and Materials when the course opens.

Following an initial introduction to important general economic concepts, including demand and supply, the course examines the U.S. economy from a macroeconomic perspective.  It includes an analysis of (1) how unemployment, inflation, and Gross Domestic Product are measured (2) different theories of why the economy goes through cyclical fluctuations (recessions and booms) in the short-run (3) long-run economic growth, and (4) the use of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy.   Prerequisite: MA103 (or ACT Math subscore ≥22).

1. To introduce students with the basic economic approach to analyzing the world, including the supply and demand model.
2. To familiarize students with the basic measures of macroeconomic performance, including Gross Domestic Product, the aggregate price level, the unemployment and inflation rates, labor productivity, and economic growth.
3. To help students understand the different models that have been developed for explaining the behavior of the American economy in both the long-run and in the short-run.
4. To analyze different public policies that have been proposed or adopted for influencing the behavior of the economy in both the short-run and the long-run.
5. To help students learn to think like economists.