ECON 211 : Macroeconomics

Business and Economics

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides an introduction to the dynamic microfoundations of macroeconomics, and demonstrates how we can utilise these foundations (i) to understand the trends and fluctuations of macroeconomic aggregates like national output, unemployment, inflation and interest rates, and (ii) to predict the outcome of alternative government policies related to current economic problems of New Zealand and the rest of the world.

Course Overview

The course develops two commonly used theoretical models for studying macroeconomics. They help us understand global and national issues related to the functioning of a macroeconomy and its outcome with and without economic policies. One helps us examine the macroeconomic outcome in a perfectly flexible (long-run) economy, while the other examines how the outcome changes under various institutional constraints (short-run) such as the minimum wage law, and inflation targeting. We utilize interactive tools of learning which include visual, audio and abstract methods and require in-class activities and small group tutorials.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ECON 111 or 152 or 180 points in a BSc major in Mathematics or Statistics with a GPA of 5 or higher and a B or higher in MATHS 130, 150 or 153

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Recognise the frameworks for measurement and analysis of macroeconomic outcomes. (Capability 1)
  2. Analyse macroeconomic models and methods to analyse current macroeconomic policy issues. (Capability 2)
  3. Examine alternative theories to plan policy options for the government and to outline their potential effects. (Capability 3)
  4. Identify causes and consequences of economic growth and business cycles. (Capability 2)
  5. Explain the determinants of a country’s trade deficit and the mechanism behind exchange rate fluctuations. (Capability 1)
  6. Categorize through collaborative interactions in class the political issues and controversies surrounding the inflation and unemployment trade-off. (Capability 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Test 20% Individual Test
Quizzes 10% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Final Exam
Test
Quizzes

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend on average 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures (3 hrs per week), 11 hours of tutorials in small groups (1 hour per week for 11 weeks), 24 hours (2 hours per week) of reading and thinking about the content related to 10 quizzes which involve interactions in small groups, 44 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, and 35 hours of study prior to the final exam.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete/receive credit for interactive assessment components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

1. Prescribed Textbook: Mankiw, Gregory N., Macroeconomics, 9th edition, Worth, 2017, ISBN 13: 978-1-4641-8289-1 / 9781319154035, or, an equivalent such as https://ubiq.co.nz/p/macroeconomics-9781319154035. 

2. Supplementary Resource: Mankiw, N. G., Bandyopadhyay, D. and Wooding, P. Principles of Macroeconomics in New Zealand, (2nd edition), CENGAGE Learning, 2009. ISBN – 13: 978-0170182089, Albany: www.cengage.com.au/mankiwNZ2eA

3. Electronic resources to be available via CANVAS.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 01/12/2020 03:57 p.m.