ECO2013 Syllabus
Course Name: Principles of Macroeconmics
Term and Session: Fall 2019
Reference Number: 641323
Faculty Contact Information
Instructor Name: Nick Bergan
Email: Please contact me through the D2L email tool. Use my Broward College email only if you are unable to access the course email. My Broward College email is nbergan@broward.edu
BC Online Phone: 954-201-7900
Online Office Hours: I am available to meet MWF: 8-11am; Skype
Course Information
This is a 3-credit hour fully online course without proctored exams. In this class, you will engage in structured out-of-class and online activities. The online activities may include, but are not limited to, readings, discussions, essays, case studies, research, and/or online quizzes and tests. See the course schedule for a detailed description of activities. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing the course schedule and completing all required assignments.
Course Description
This is an introductory course in macroeconomic principles covering basic economic problems and concepts. Topics discussed and analyzed include basic economic problems of unemployment and inflation. Students will recognize the role of households, businesses and governments in the market economy and in their own lives. This is a writing credit course.
View the course description for more details.
Prerequisites and Corequesites
To maximize your chances for success in this course, make sure that you meet the following course pre- or co-requisites:
Prerequisites & Co-requisites: Successful completion (or testing out) of REA006 & eligible for ENC 1101
General Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, the students will be able to:
Define the basic economic concepts and explain the role of government in modern mixed economy and will learn and apply the language and terminology of economics to the world around us.
Analyze the national income accounts; the inflation and adjustment; and unemployment.
Explain the aggregate demand and supply model; and explain the macroeconomic equilibrium.
Examine money, banking and financial markets; and analyze central bank and controls of the money supply.
Analyze fiscal and monetary policies; and explain inflation and unemployment.
Examine how long run economic growth occurs; and describe the role of productivity in output and the standard of living.
Read, research and submit written assignments that require analysis and evaluation of economic topics.
Participate in a collaborative activity that will require research, analysis and evaluation of a current topic in economics.
Textbook and Materials
no text book
This course uses Lumen Mastery Macroeconomics, a new set of digital course materials designed using open educational resources (OER) instead of a traditional textbook. You can freely access all readings, videos, quizzes and other activities through the course site in our learning management system (BC Online):
This course is different from most other courses in these ways:
There is no separate textbook. Everything you need is here in BC Online. No online access code is required.
Learning outcomes are clear throughout the course. Every learning activity is linked directly to something you need to know or do to succeed in this course.
You can take graded quizzes twice. Quizzes can help you learn. If you don’t like your first quiz score, you can keep studying and retake it. The higher score counts.
The more you use the course materials, the more I can help. When you participate, it provides information to help me help you succeed in the course.
This Lumen Mastery course was created with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Next Generation Courseware Challenge. This course is part of a research project exploring how well students perform using Lumen Mastery materials compared to what’s been used in other course sections. Learning data will be used to analyze what’s working, what’s not working, and how to improve the educational experience Lumen Mastery provides. Individuals using the courseware will be asked to provide consent to use their data for research purposes. Completing this form is one of the course assignments.
In order for you to have the most effective learning environment, it is important that you are using the right equipment. For this course, you will need:
A reliable Internet connection.
Regular access to a laptop or desktop computer with an updated operating system and web browser. Visit the technical requirements page for a complete list of system and software requirements. And the D2L System Check to ensure your browser is properly configured for online learning.
Microsoft Office 365 is available for download for all Broward College students. Follow the directions to download and access Microsoft 365.
Student Expectations
Attendance Verification
You are expected to participate in an academic activity to be considered “present” in the course. You must complete an academic activity during the first week of the course, so that it is done before the attendance verification date. The academic activity is usually the syllabus or syllabus quiz or a discussion post. Just logging into the course or sending an email to your instructor will not satisfy the attendance requirement. Like your on-campus courses, if you are reported for non-attendance in an online course and then withdrawn, you are still responsible for paying for the course. If for any reason you cannot complete the attendance verification requirement before the deadline, make certain to drop the course by the official drop/add deadline or you will still have to pay for the course.
Participation
To succeed in this course, log in and participate multiple times throughout the week (check email, announcements, class discussions, feedback, etc.) so you do not miss critical course information and updates. Additionally, communication with your professor is very important and plays a vital role in your success.
Withdrawal policy
It is your responsibility to withdraw from this course. If you stop participating and do not withdraw by the deadline, you may receive an F.
Computer Knowledge and Skills
By taking an online course, your computer literacy skills will grow. Some of the skills that you will need at the beginning of the course include:
working knowledge of how to use multiple web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) to navigate the Internet and locate information.
sending and receiving email using your D2L email (within the online course) and your BC email address. You should only use your instructor’s BC email if you cannot access D2L.
file management skills including downloading and saving files on your computer, uploading files to D2L, and sending email messages with attachments.
Class Activities
Discussions
Remember, discussions are public and everyone in your course can read what you post. Review the D2L discussion tutorial for general support with the discussion tool.
Discussion Expectations:
There are 7 discussions worth 30 points each.
Original posts preferably should be completed 3 days before the close of the discussion board.
Responses to 2 classmates' posts should be more than a "me too" statement.
Refer to the discussion rubric for specific grading criteria.
Grades will be posted within 7 business days of the discussion due date.
Assignments
Assignments must be submitted by the due dates as specified in your syllabus. The submission of an assignment is your sole responsibility. You should keep an electronic copy of all assignments. Review the D2L assignment tutorial for general support with the assignment tool.
Assignment Expectations:
See course schedule for assignment due dates.
Assignments submitted to the corresponding drop-box will be screened for academic honesty using Turnitin.
Refer to the assignment rubric and other assignment resources for grading criteria.
Grades will be posted within 7 business days of the assignment due date.
Quizzes & Tests
Quizzes and tests may be taken only during the availability dates as specified in the course schedule. Give yourself plenty of time to complete assessments and pay close attention to the time limits. Make sure you have a reliable Internet connection prior to taking quizzes or tests. Review the D2L quizzes & tests tutoria l for general support with quizzes and tests.
Quiz & Test Expectations:
There are 14 quizzes at 20 points each.
Quizzes contain multiple choice and true/false questions.
You have 2 attempt at each quiz.
CAUTION: If you start a quiz, it will count as an attempt, even if you do not submit your quiz. Make sure when you start a quiz, you are in a good place to complete it and click SUBMIT before closing the quiz.
Late Work Policy
For this course, unless otherwise noted by the instructor, submitting work late will be permitted only under qualifying circumstances and only with prior notification and supporting documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor’s note, etc.). Computer and Internet connectivity problems are not valid reasons for late work. It is the student's responsibility to be technologically prepared to take an online course.
Course Schedule
Read and refer to this section regularly. The submission of all work is the sole responsibility of the student. Students should plan their workloads accordingly and not wait until the last minute to meet deadlines. If you are unsure of a due date, contact your instructor for clarifica/tion.
Orientation Module: 8/24 at 11pm Activities
Orientation module is located on the homepage, or you may access Orientation by clicking on Content on the navy navigation bar.
Read
Welcome
Syllabus
All items within the "Succeeding with Waymaker" sub-module
Discussions
Introduction Discussion
Assessments
Research Consent
Syllabus Quiz
Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts - Due by 8/31 at 11pm Activities
Read
Economic Thinking
Choice in a World of Scarcity
Supply and Demand
Elasticity
Located in the Content Area, there are ancillaries to assist you with the material.
Study Plans
Key Points
Readings
Videos (may need to view in Internet Explorer)
Self-check Exercises
Additional articles or Internet sites
Discussions
Discussion 1: Is Economics a Science?
Discussion 2: Supply and Demand
Assessments
Quiz 1: Economic Thinking
Quiz 2: Choice in a World of Scarcity
Quiz 3: Supply and Demand
Quiz 4: Elasticity
Unit 2: Measurement of Economic Performance - Due by 9/7 at 11pm Activities
Read and Complete
Macroeconomic Measures: GDP and Unemployment
Macroeconomic Measures: Inflation and Price Indexes
Located in the Content Area there are ancillaries to assist you with the material.
Study Plans
Key Points
Readings
Videos (may need to view in Internet Explorer)
Self-check Exercises
Additional articles or Internet sites
Assignments
News Article Analysis I (D2L)
Discussions
Discussion 4: State of the Macroeconomy
Assessments:
Quiz 5: Macroeconomic Measures: GDP and Unemployment
Quiz 6: Macroeconomic Measures: Inflation and Price Indexes
Unit 3: National Income and Price Determination - Due by 9/14 at 11pm Activities
Read and Complete
Government Action
Surplus
Macro Workings
Located in the Content Area there are ancillaries to assist you with the material.
Study Plans
Key Points
Readings
Videos (may need to view in Internet Explorer)
Self-check Exercises
Additional articles or Internet sites
Assignments
News Article Analysis II
Discussions
Discussion 5: Junk Food and Government Action
Discussion 6: Efficiency of Free Markets
Assessments:
Quiz 7: Government Action
Quiz 8: Surplus
Quiz 9: Macro Workings
Unit 4: Financial Sector, Inflation, Unemployment, and Stabilization Policies - Due by 9/21 at 11pm Activities
Read and Complete
Monetary Policy
Keynesian and Neoclassical Economics
Fiscal Policy
Located in the Content Area there are ancillaries to assist you with the material.
Study Plans
Key Points
Readings
Videos (may need to view in Internet Explorer)
Self-check Exercises
Additional articles or Internet sites
Discussions
Discussion 10: Economic Impact of Lower Corporate Tax Rate
Assessments:
Quiz 10: Monetary Policy
Quiz 11: Keynesian and Neoclassical Economics
Quiz 12: Fiscal Policy
Unit 5: International, Inflation, Unemployment, and Stabilization Policies - Due by 9/28 at 11pm Activities
Located in the Content Area there are ancillaries to assist you with the material.
Study Plans
Key Points
Readings
Videos (may need to view in Internet Explorer)
Self-check Exercises
Additional articles or Internet sites
Assignments
Research Paper
Unit 6: Economic Growth and Productivity - Due by 10/5 at 11pm Activities
Read and Complete
Policy Application
Globalization, Trade, and Finance
Located in the Content Area there are ancillaries to assist you with the material.
Study Plans
Key Points
Readings
Videos (may need to view in Internet Explorer)
Self-check Exercises
Additional articles or Internet sites
Discussions
Discussion 12: Absolute and Comparative Advantage
Assessments:
Quiz 13: Policy Application
Quiz 14: Globalization, Trade and Finance
Grades
Grades
Assessment Graded Points
Syllabus Quiz 5
Student Introduction 5
Quizzes (14 @ 20 points each) 280
Discussions (7 @ 30 points each) 210
News Article Analysis Projects ( 2 @ 125) points 250
Research Paper (1 @ 250 points each) 250
Total
1000
Research Consent Form (extra credit)
5
Grading Scale
Grades Percentage
Grade = A 90 - 100%
Grade = B 80 - 89.9%
Grade = C 70 - 79.9%
Grade = D 60 - 69.9%
Grade = F 59.9 - 0.0 %
Communication and Faculty Response
Communication
During the semester, your communications concerning the course should be restricted to the D2L email. As mentioned earlier, do not send class related emails to the instructor's BC email address.
It is recommended that you post class-related questions in the discussion area called the Course Café. Other students may have the same questions as you or may even be able to answer your questions.
Netiquette
In all online communications, it is expected that students will follow the rules of online netiquette, a guideline for polite online behavior. Review some of the general netiquette rules.
Individuals who violate netiquette rules or engage in disruptive online behaviors, such as flaming (posting disrespectful or hostile comments), posting inappropriate comments, or shouting (posting messages using all capitals), may have their class access privileges revoked and/or they may be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs. Students who continue to engage in unacceptable online behavior even after being warned, may be permanently denied access to the class and/or may receive an F for the class.
Don't use email short hand like ROTFLO (rolling on the floor laughing out loud), BTW (by the way), or text-style writing like R-U thinking, etc. Not everyone knows what these abbreviations mean. If you want to use emoticons (smileys) to convey feelings, stick with the basics happy :-) sad :-( or wink ;-). Others are less well-known and are subject to different interpretations. The idea is to be clear in your communications.
Use discretion when posting and/or sending emails. Make sure to check spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization, and sentence structure.
Faculty Response
Class emails will be answered within 24-36 hours. If you need information related to a test or assignment, plan ahead and submit your questions in advance of the due date. If for some reason the class communication tools are unavailable for more than 24 hours, the instructor will communicate with students (if necessary) via their BC email address. Once the semester has ended, and only if necessary, you may contact the faculty member using the instructor’s email address.
Policies and Procedures
You are responsible for being familiar with all BC Online policies and procedures related to your activity in this course.
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you are requesting academic accommodations, you must first register with Accessibility Resources (contact information is provided below). Accessibility Resources will evaluate your request and determine eligibility. If approved, you will be provided with an Accommodation Plan that you must deliver to me either electronically or in person. Once received, we will discuss which accommodations you are requesting for this class, and in accordance with Broward College policy 6Hx2-5.09 you will be provided with the appropriate accommodations. Students who wait until after completing the course, or an activity, to request accommodations should not expect any grade to be changed, or to be able to retake the course or activity.
Central Campus, Willis Holcombe Center: 954-201-6527
North Campus, BC Online: 954-201-2313
South Campus, Miramar Centers, Pines Center, Weston Center: 954-201-8913
Deaf Services: (TDD) 954-201-6445 (VP) 954-635-5850
Academic Honesty
When you log into D2L, you do so with the understanding and agreement that you will produce your own work, complete class assignments and discussions yourself, and take class exams, tests, or quizzes without the assistance of others. All academic work must be the result of your own thought, research, or self-expression. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Types of Academic Dishonesty:
Sharing Access or Passwords to D2L: Keep your username and password confidential.
Cheating: Obtaining or attempting to obtain, or aiding another to obtain credit for work by dishonest or deceptive means.
Plagiarism: Using the words or ideas of the original creator without attribution as if they were your own. Plagiarism ranges from copying someone else’s work verbatim and elaborating on or altering someone else’s work.
Self-Plagiarism: Submitting or reusing parts of a previous paper without referencing source it was first submitted. This includes retaking a course and turning in previously submitted papers and data.
Unacceptable Collaboration: Using answers, solutions, or ideas that are the results of collaboration without citing the fact of the collaboration.
Falsification of Data: Making up or falsifying information and data. Examples include making up or altering data for an experiment or citing reference to sources you did not actually use.
Pay Services: Employing an assignment writing service or having another person/student write the paper for you.
Enabling: Aiding and abetting another student in an act of academic dishonesty. Examples include giving someone a paper to copy and/or allowing someone access to your account.
Unauthorized or Malicious Interference: Deliberately interfering with the work or activities of another person on purpose to cause the other harm or irreparable damages.
Inappropriate Use of Course Materials: Distributing materials in this class and on D2L, including the syllabus, exams, slides, handouts, study aides, and presentations, that may be protected by copyright and are provided solely for the educational use of students enrolled in this course. You are not permitted to redistribute them for purposes unapproved by the instructor; in particular, you are not permitted to post course materials, quiz or exam questions, or discussions on commercial websites. Unauthorized uses of course materials may be considered academic misconduct.
Online courses use tools such as Turnitin and Proctortrack to deter and detect academic dishonesty.
In this course, the first time you are found being academically dishonest, you will receive a zero for the assignment. If you are found academically dishonest a second time, you will receive an F in the course. Academic dishonesty may result in further disciplinary action and/or a referral to the Dean of Student Affairs. For more information, refer to the Student Code of Conduct Policy and the Student Code of Conduct section located in the Student Handbook.
Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness
Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it is essential that all members of the Broward College community familiarize themselves with various safety tools, resources, and procedures to remain safe both on and off campus. You are encouraged to visit the Campus Safety & Security website for a wealth of information and resources as it relates to safety at Broward College. Included on the website is a variety of information, videos, and resources on crime prevention, active shooter preparedness, how to report suspicious activity, hurricane preparedness, services, and how to respond in an emergency. Campus Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached by calling 954-201-HELP (4357).
In the event of a school closing, due to weather or other major events that might impact class schedules, the instructor will post an announcement and/or send an email indicating what changes, if any, the event will have on the course schedule and due dates.
Changes to the Syllabus
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the class syllabus. The syllabus is a guide and every attempt is made to provide an accurate overview of the class. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the instructor to modify the syllabus during the semester. In the event changes become necessary, students will be notified through class email, the discussion board, and/or the announcements tool.
Help Desk
If you need help using D2L:
click on D2L Support at Broward College
visit the 24/7 Help Desk page for 24-hour technical assistance, or
contact the BC Help Desk at 954-201-7521.