This is a course in intermediate macroeconomics. We will focus on developing macroeconomic models of economic growth and business cycles. We will pay particular attention to the interactions among theoretical models, data and public policy.
FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data at Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis)
Excel for Windows training (video lessons from Microsoft)
Spreadsheet models
- Production model (From Jones, Chapter 4)
Answers to end-of-chapter questions and exercises (posted after we cover the material)
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
Quiz #1: Key; score distribution
Exam 1: Model answers; score distribution
Quiz #2: Key; score distribution
Exam 2: Model answers; score distribution
Readings (in order of classes where we used them)
FRED Blog, “Negative Investment?”
Easterlin, “The Worldwide Standard of Living since 1800.”
Jones and Klenow, “Beyond GDP? Welfare Across Countries and Time.”
Solow, “A Contribution to the Theory of Economic Growth.”
Solow, “Technical Change and the Aggregate Production Function.”
Field, “The Most Technologically Progressive Decade of the Century.”
Kendrick, Productivity Trends in the United States
Johnston, Why the Great Recession was even worse than you thought.
ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT STUDENT LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Students of economics will be able to apply economic theory to understand economic issues and policies by:
1.1: Analyzing interactions between human values and economic life;
1.2: Demonstrating a knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate analytical tools; and
1.3: Recognizing the diversity of methodologies practiced in conducting economic analysis.
Goal 2: Students of economics will be able to evaluate evidence bearing on those economic issues and policies by:
2.1: Identifying, locating, and assessing the necessary quantitative and non-quantitative information, facts and arguments; and
2.2: Employing both quantitative reasoning and computing skills where appropriate.
Goal 3: Students of economics will be able to communicate effectively the results of their economic analysis through:
3.1: Clear writing, appropriately supported and documented;
3.2: Effective participation in discussion; and
3.3: For majors, polished oral presentations.