Department of Economics Faculty of Arts

Ryerson University Fall 2012

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ECN 204 INTRODUCTORY MACROECONOMICS
Professional Related Course
Anti-Requisites: ECN 210 and FMG 905

Contact Information
Instructor: Dr. Christos Shiamptanis
Office: JOR 225
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:10pm 2:00pm
Phone: 416-979-5000 extension 3004
Email: christos.shiamptanis@ryerson.ca (write ECN 204 in the subject box)
Lecture: Tuesdays, 10:10am - 1:00pm in AMC 003
Blackboard: my.ryerson.ca

Course Description
This is the second course in the Introductory Economics sequence that focuses on
Macroeconomics. Macroeconomics is the study of how national economies behave. This course
considers the determinants of national income, employment and prices. It examines business
cycle, the factors affecting economic growth and international trade. It also includes a critical
analysis of monetary and fiscal policies designed to achieve the established goals.
In doing this, we will first discuss how a countrys economic activity is measured, and
then develop models of how this economic activity is determined. Some of the lectures will be
descriptive, relying on plane geometry and intermediate algebra (high school level); the ability
to understand and use diagrams is extremely desirable.

Course Materials
The following are required for this course:
1. Principles of Macroeconomics textbook by Mankiw, Kneebone, McKenzie, 5
th

Canadian edition, 2011, Nelson.
The following are highly recommended for this course:
1. Study Guide by Fortura and Manouchehri.
2. Online assessment program called Aplia. (Aplia is an integrated internet system
that allows you to complete and submit your assignments online. In order to
access Aplia, each student must set up an individual account)
The Study Guide and Aplia should be used to help you understand the topics in
the textbook and to prepare for examinations.
The bookstore will buddle the textbook together with the Study Guide and the Aplia
access code in a special package. It should be selling for about $128.95.
A Blackboard site has been also created for this course. To access the site, go to
my.ryerson.ca. After you log-in, click on ECN 204 Introductory Macroeconomics. The web-site
includes the course outline, lecture notes and attendance quizzes. Students are encouraged to
access this site on a regular basis, as communication in the course will be undertaken in this
manner. It is strongly recommended that you check it frequently for important
announcements.
Department of Economics Faculty of Arts
Ryerson University Fall 2012
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Course Evaluation
Attendance Extra 5% Every Class
Midterm exam 40% October 23, 2012
Final exam 60% TBA

Attendance:
Attendance is not mandatory. But students who attend all classes can receive up to 5
extra-credit points towards their final grade. Put differently, students will be rewarded for
attending classes. Please note that this is the only way to get extra credit in this course.
Every class you will be given a password. Students will need the password to access
Blackboard and answer a couple of questions relating to that days material. Please note that
the password will be given only once in class. The password will never be emailed or posted in
Blackboard. Students will have almost one week to answer all the questions. Students that
arrive late or leave during class or are otherwise disruptive and do not hear the correct
password, will be considered absent. Students that forget to answer the questions or miss all
the questions will be considered absent. Students who are unable to complete the questions
for any reason will be considered absent. Past experience indicates that there is positive
correlation between attendance and success in the course.

Assignments:
Assignments are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended. There will be five e-
assignments. The e-assignments can be completed online using Aplia. The sole purpose of the
assignments is to better prepare you for the exams. They will have a deadline, and all students
are highly recommended to complete them by the due date. Past experience indicates that
there is a strong positive correlation between assignments and success in the course.

Exams:
The midterm exam is worth 40% of your grade. It will consist of multiple choice
questions. The midterm will cover material from the first day of classes. It should be taken by all
students at the scheduled date.
The final exam is worth 60% of your grade and is comprehensive. It will consist of multiple
choice questions. The final exam should be taken by all students at the scheduled date.

Writing Center/English Language Support:
Students who feel that their language skills need to be improved should visit the Writing
Centre at Ryerson (LIB 272B, http://www.ryerson.ca/writingcentre). The Centre offers a series
of workshops and other tools to help students improve their writing/verbal skills.
For students whose first language is not English the English Language Support
(http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/els/) offers task-based academic language workshops,
individual help with written assignments, one-on-one conversation and pronunciation practice,
as well as help with reading listening and oral presentations.
Math Assistance Centre
Department of Economics Faculty of Arts
Ryerson University Fall 2012
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The Math Assistance Centre (LIB-549, http://www.ryerson.ca/mac/) is there to support
students across campus with their math skills and math-related courses. The Centre currently
offers individual tutoring, as well as running Facilitated Study (FA-ST) groups.

Examination Policy
No permission is ever given to a student to write a midterm test or final exam in
advance of its date.
A student who misses an exam can write a make-up exam if both of the following
conditions are met:
o The student notifies the instructor via e-mail and before the date and time that
the exam will be missed.
o The student submits a Ryerson University Student Medical Certificate
(www.ryerson.ca/senate/forms/medical.pdf) to the instructor or Undergraduate
Program Administrator (Neha Narang) within 3 business days of missed or
affected exam.
Students who do not write the midterm test or final exam and fail to meet both criteria
receive a zero grade for that course component.
The make-up exam should be written within 10 business days at the Access Centre.
There is no make-up of a make-up exam!
Despite the severity of the issue, there are absolutely no exceptions to the above
policies.

Religious Observance Policy
If a student wishes to reschedule a midterm or a final exam due to religious observance,
it is the students responsibility to contact the instructor, via e-mail at least two weeks in
advance.
To arrange an alternative date or time for a final exam scheduled in the formal period,
students must complete an exam accommodation form which can be obtained on
www.ryerson.ca/currentstudents/forms/. The religious observance policy designed by senate
can be found at www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol150.pdf.

Exceptional circumstances
If unforeseen circumstances arise that can potentially affect a students performance in
the course (financial distress, health issues, family problems) the student must inform the
professor as soon as possible. Failure to raise the issue in a timely matter could affect the
ability to successfully appeal a course grade.

Course Management Policy
Students are expected to be familiar with all Senate policies regarding course
management and academic conduct. These policies can be found on the Senates webpage:
www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies. In particular, students should familiarize themselves with at
least the following policies:

Code of Conduct and Academic Dishonesty
Department of Economics Faculty of Arts
Ryerson University Fall 2012
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Students are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct which can be found on
www.ryerson.ca/senate/student. Particular attention should be placed on the sections dealing
with academic dishonesty.

Lecture and Test Rules
Students should check Blackboard regularly for announcements.
Students should silence all cell phones before entering the lecture hall.
Laptops are allowed only for taking notes. If you use them to surf the internet, then you
will lose the privilege to use them again in the future.
During all exams: scientific calculators, financial calculators, digital dictionaries, PDAs,
cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed. Books, papers, knapsacks,
briefcases, purses, hats, and coats stay at the front or side of the lecture hall. The only
items that you may have with you are pens, pencils, basic function calculator, and
identification. If you do not follow these rules you may be charged with academic
dishonesty.

Grade Appeal Policy
If a student thinks that there has been an error in the recording or calculation of a grade,
he/she should follow these steps:
Talk to the professor within 10 business days after the graded work is returned.
If the student cannot resolve the issue with the professor, the student can make a
formal request for a grade revision, in writing, to the Undergraduate Program Director
(Dr. Claustre Bajona). Formal requests for grade revisions should be filed BEFORE the
appeals deadline. Semester-specific appeal deadlines can be found in the Ryerson
Calendar under Significant Dates.
Students, who request re-grading of their work, should be aware that as a result of the
reassessment their grade could increase, decrease, or remain the same. The grade
determined after the reassessment will be the students final grade.
The Academic Consideration and Appeals Policy, which establishes the guidelines for
formal appeals, can be found at www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol134.pdf.
GRADE APPEALS OR REGRADING REQUESTS FILED AFTER THE APPEALS DEADLINE WILL
NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Course Outline

Week Topic Chapter
1 and 2 Introduction Chapters: 1, 2, 4
3 The Data for Macroeconomics Chapters: 5, 6
4 Economic Growth Chapters: 7
Department of Economics Faculty of Arts
Ryerson University Fall 2012
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5 Saving, Investment, and the Financial System Chapters: 8
6 Study Break
7 Unemployment Chapters: 9
8 Midterm Exam (Chapters: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
9 Monetary Policy Chapters: 10, 11
10 Open-Economy Macroeconomics Chapters: 12, 13
11 Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply Chapters: 14
12 Monetary and Fiscal Policy, and Aggregate Demand Chapters: 15
13 Macroeconomic Policy Chapters: 17

Note: Portions of some of the chapters may be skipped, and other material may be added.