Course Outline

EC 230 Principles of Economics I

Spring 2001

 

PROFESSOR:                       Dr. Athanasius O. Njoku

COURSE:                               EC 230 Principles of Economics I

OFFICE:                                 Duckett Hall 226

TELEPHONE:                       (803) 253-5406

OFFICE HOURS:                  Monday, Wednesday, Friday- 11:00-12:00

                                                Tuesday & Thursday-   1:00-2:30/ 4:00-5:00

                                    *****Other times made by appointment*****

 

Text:                                       Macroeconomics 16th Edition, Samuelson and

Nordhaus, Irwin and McGraw-Hill, N.Y. 1998

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

This course is an introduction to the Principles of Modern Economics. The material deals with the Principles of Macroeconomics- the Economics of the State, Nation, or any other large aggregate unit. Topics covered are the Determination of National Income, the Effects of Saving, Consumption, Government Spending, Investment on National Income, and Macroeconomics Policies to Combat Unemployment and Inflation.

 

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

 

·                    To provide students with a general knowledge of the basic macroeconomics principles and policies and to relate these to the major economic institutions that forms the backbone of the American Free Enterprise System.

·                    To help students gain a better understanding and the ability to analyze important macroeconomics matters that effect their daily lives.

·                    The course will serve as an important step toward a student’s plan for advance study in Economics.

 

OTHER

 

Students are expected to bring to class news that pertains to Economics. Some class time will be allocated for each identified student to state the news and relate it to concepts learned in the class (sec EC 231). The instructor reserves the right to call students to tutorial sessions. The date and time will be announced in advance.

Students are to dress in collegiate attire for class.

NO SHORTS ALLOWED!

 

Also, plan to go to graduate school!

 

ATTENDENCE

 

Students are to adhere to the College’s attendance policy.

Students who miss class should get notes and assignments form classmates and consult with the instructor for assistance and clarification. Being absent is not an excuse for not getting classwork.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

After the completion of the course, students will be able to:

 

·                    Explain what Economics is all about and read and work with graphs.

·                    Explain and understand Demand and Supply and the price system.

·                    Understand business fluctuation, unemployment and inflation, Real World indices and their problems.

·                    Understand the circular flow of income and product

·                    Measure the Economy’s performance, Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply, Aggregate Demand- Consumption and Investment.

·                    Understand income and employment discrimination.

·                    Explain the Acceleration Principle and the interaction between accelerator and multiplier.

·                    Understand Fiscal and Monetary Policy and the Banking system

·                    Understand the process of Money Creation, the Federal Reserve, and Monetary Policy.

·                    Explain Comparative Advantage in International Trade, Exchange rates, and the Balance of Payments.

·                    Explain inflation, Rational Expectation, Supply Side Economics, and Economic Growth

·                    Understand Capitalism and the American Economy, Government and Public Choice, Government Spending and Taxation.

·                    Understand International Trade, Economics of Developing Countries and other Economic Systems

 

EXAMS

 

Four exams are tentatively scheduled. Students are expected to maintain progressive grades to pass the course. Exams will be at least 25% essay. A student scoring grades like 40, 60, 70 and 80 will earn a grade of “C” or better. While a student with the grades like 80, 70, 60, and 40 will earn a grade of “D” or worse.

 

REFERENCE TEXT

 

McEachern, William A. Macroeconomics 5th edition. Southwestern Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1997.

 

Roy, J. Ruffine and Paul R. Gregory. Principles of Economics, Scott Forman and Company, 1983.

 

The Wall Street Journal and The State Newspaper.

 

Macroeconomics, McConnel, Campbell and Bruce Stanley. McGraw-Hill, N.Y., 1995.

 

Macroeconomics, Hall, R.E. and Marc Lieberman. Southwestern Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1998.