Unité scolaire | Academic Unit

Faculté des sciences sociales | Faculty of Social Sciences

Introduction to Macroeconomics
ECO 1102B

Gordon Lenjosek
Fall 2019

COURSE OUTLINE

Class schedule: Tuesdays, 8:30 – 9:50

Fridays, 10:00 – 11:20
University Centre (UCU) Auditorium

Professor’s office hours: Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:00

Thursdays, 15:00 – 17:00
Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), 14025

E-mail: Gordon.Lenjosek@uottawa.ca

Any questions sent by email should receive a response within two business days or during the following
class if taken place within the 48 hours following receipt of the email. The professor reserves the right not
to answer an email if the level of language used is “inadequate”.

Teaching assistants: TBD. Will also hold weekly office hours to answer students’ questions and return
midterms. Contact information will be announced in class and posted on the
course website. Advise the TA beforehand if you plan to drop by.

OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

Macro versus micro. National accounting. Components of aggregate demand. National income
determination and multiplier theory. Business cycles and economic instability. Fiscal policy. Money and
monetary policy. Banking system. Unemployment and inflation. Controversies over stabilization policy.
Canadian macroeconomic policy.

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES

Economics 1102 introduces the student to the basic tools of macroeconomic analysis and the ways in
which they are applied in real world situations. We will study the determinants of a number of
macroeconomic variables including inflation, unemployment and long-term growth. We will also study
macroeconomic policy responses. This course complements Economics 1104 (Introduction to
Microeconomics) and is a prerequisite for several courses in Economics numbered 2000 and above.

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STUDENT RESOURCES

Textbook: Karlan, D., J. Morduch, R. Alam and A. Wong (2019) Macroeconomics. Custom 1st Canadian
Edition. McGraw-Hill Education.

Connect: Online interactive chapter-specific problem sets. Students access this resource from the website
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/g-lenjosek-fall-2019-macro by setting up a student account using
a 20-character registration code, which you must purchase.

Also on the Connect website: The Karlan et al. etext and Smartbook (a special version of the etext),
instructions on how to use Connect and Smartbook, contact information for Connect technical support, a
math review, and practice questions. Students should become familiar with, and make use of, these
resources.

Notes: Packages containing the textbook and the Connect registration code are available from the Campus
Bookstore. You may also purchase the Connect registration code without the textbook from the Campus
Bookstore, or you may register and pay for Connect online. If you acquire a used textbook, you will still
need to purchase the Connect registration code.

Course website: Accessed through Virtual Campus/Brightspace, it includes this syllabus, Connect
registration instructions, announcements, PowerPoint notes for each chapter provided by McGraw-Hill
Education, select lecture notes, solutions to end-of-chapter (EOC) review questions, reference materials,
practice exams, the midterm exams, contact information, and a discussion zone for you to ask questions
and share answers. Students are responsible for being aware of and familiar with, and using, this website,
which will be updated on a regular basis.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final grade for this course will be determined based on weekly Connect assignments, two midterms
and a final exam as follows:

Evaluation format Weight Date

Connect Weekly (Refer to Connect website for final due dates; Bonus marks for
20 %
students who complete all 10 assignments)
First midterm 20 % Tuesday, October 22 (In class; 80 minutes; Multiple choice)
Second midterm 20% Friday, November 22 (In class; 80 minutes; Multiple choice)
TBD; scheduled by the University during the final examination period
Final exam 40 % December 5-18 (3 hours; Cumulative; Multiple choice and short
answer)

The format for the midterms will be multiple choice questions. For the final exam, there will be a mixture
of multiple choice and short answer questions.

There will be no make-up exams or extra assignments for students who do poorly.

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Attendance Statement

Attendance at every class is mandatory and required to master the material covered.

Language Quality

You will be judged on your writing abilities. It is recommended that you take appropriate measures to
avoid mistakes such as spelling, syntax, punctuation, inappropriate use of terms, etc. You may be
penalized up to 15% at the professor’s discretion.

Missed exams and submission deadlines

Absences from exams and late submissions of course work will be penalized. Exceptions are made only
for illness or other serious situations deemed as such by the professor. Requests for exceptions must be
submitted using the online DFR request form – link provided below – to the Department of Economics
(FSS 9005) along with supporting documentation, within five business days following the date of the exam
or submission date. The Faculty reserves the right to accept or refuse the reason. Exceptions due to illness
must be supported by a medical certificate. Advise your professor as early as possible if a religious holiday
or a religious event will force you to be absent during an evaluation. Reasons such as travel, jobs, or any
misreading of the examination timetable are not acceptable. Absences from exams which are not excused
will result in a mark of zero for the exam. Failure to undertake a Connect assignment before its due date
will result in a mark of zero for that assignment.

Deferred exams

Students who are excused for missing one midterm exam will have the weight of that midterm exam
added to their final exam. For example, students who miss the first midterm exam will have their final
exam count for 60% of their final grade. Students will not be excused for missing two midterm exams and
will receive a grade of “Failure/Incomplete” for the course.

Students who are excused for missing the final exam will be required to write a deferred exam. The date
and time of the deferred final exam is January 10, 2020, at 4 p.m.

To request an exception for a midterm or the final exam, students must complete the online DFR request
form at http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/students/undergraduate-forms. A copy of the supporting
documentation must be joined to your request in order for you to submit the online form. All requests
must be submitted within five working days of the exam. The request must respect all the conditions of
Academic Regulation I9.5 (https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/academic-
regulation-9-evaluation-of-student-learning).

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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES*

Assignment
Date Description Reading
Due Date
Sep. 6 Welcome & Course overview ― ―
Sep. 10 Economics and life Ch. 1 ―
Sep. 13 & 17 Measuring the wealth of nations Ch. 7 Mon., Sep. 23
Sep. 20 & 24 The cost of living Ch. 8 Mon., Sep. 30
Sep. 27 & Oct. 1 Economic growth Ch. 9 Mon., Oct. 7
Oct. 4 & 8 Unemployment and the demand for labour Ch. 10 Mon., Oct. 21
Oct. 11 Aggregate demand and aggregate supply Ch. 11 ―
Oct. 13-19 Reading Week
Oct. 22 First Midterm (Chapters 1 & 7-10)
Oct. 25 Aggregate demand and aggregate supply (cont’d) Ch. 11 Thurs., Oct. 31
Oct. 29 & Nov. 1 Fiscal policy Ch. 12 Thurs., Nov. 7
Nov. 5 & 8 The basics of finance Ch. 13 Thurs., Nov. 14
Nov. 12 & 15 Money and the monetary system Ch. 14 Thurs., Nov. 21
Nov. 19 Inflation Ch. 15 Thurs., Nov. 28
Nov. 22 Second Midterm (Chapters 11-14)
Nov. 26 & 29 Open-market macroeconomics Ch. 17 Wed., Dec. 4
Dec. 3 Open ―
Exam period Final Exam (Cumulative)
* Subject to change.
Readings should be completed prior to the date of the lecture in which they will be discussed.
Assignments must be completed by their due date – there will be no exceptions. Due dates posted on
the Connect website will be the final due dates for all assignments – make sure you keep track of and
respect those due dates. Any changes to due dates will be announced in class.

USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM

Smartphones: The use of smartphones in the classroom is prohibited. If you have one, turn it off before
you enter the classroom and leave it off throughout each lecture.

Computers: If you bring one to class, you may use your computer only for coursework.

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 Resources for you

FACULTY MENTORING CENTRE - http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/mentoring

The goal of the Mentoring Centre is to help students with their academic and social well-being during
their time at the University of Ottawa. Regardless of where a student stands academically, or how far
along they are in completing their degree, the Mentoring Centre is there to help students continue on
their path to success.

A student may choose to visit the Mentoring Centre for very different reasons. Younger students may
wish to talk to their older peers to gain insight into programs and services offered by the University,
while older student may simply want to brush up on study and time management skills or learn about
programs and services for students nearing the end of their degree.

In all, the Mentoring Centre offers a place for students to talk about concerns and problems that they
might have in any facet of their lives. While students are able to voice their concerns and problems
without fear of judgment, mentors can garner further insight in issues unique to students and find a
more practical solution to better improve the services that the Faculty of Social Sciences offers, as well
as the services offered by the University of Ottawa.

ACADEMIC WRITING HELP CENTRE - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/

At the AWHC you will learn how to identify, correct and ultimately avoid errors in your writing and
become an autonomous writer. In working with our Writing Advisors, you will be able to acquire the
abilities, strategies and writing tools that will enable you to:
• Master the written language of your choice
• Expand your critical thinking abilities
• Develop your argumentation skills
• Learn what the expectations are for academic writing

COUNSELLING SERVICE - http://sass.uottawa.ca/en/personal

There are many reasons to take advantage of the Counselling Service. We offer:
• Personal counselling
• Career counselling
• Study skills counselling

HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE - https://www.uottawa.ca/respect/en

Mandate: To provide leadership in the creation, implementation and evaluation of policies, procedures
and practices on diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility and the prevention of harassment and
discrimination.

Contact information: 1 Stewart St. (Main Floor – Room 121) - Tel.: 613-562-5222 / Email:
respect@uOttawa.ca.

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ACCESS SERVICE - http://sass.uottawa.ca/en/access

The University has always strived to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities or with
other temporary or permanent functional disabilities (hearing/visual impairments, sustained health
issues, mental health problems), and the campus community works collaboratively so that you can
develop and maintain your autonomy, as well as reach your full potential throughout your studies. You
can call on a wide range of services and resources, all provided with expertise, professionalism and
confidentiality.

If barriers are preventing you from integrating into university life and you need adaptive measures to
progress (physical setting, arrangements for exams, learning strategies, etc.), contact the Access Service
right away:
• in person at the University Centre, Room 339
• online
• by phone at 613-562-5976

Deadlines for submitting requests for adaptive measures during exams:

• midterms, tests, deferred exams: seven business days before the exam, test or other
written evaluation (excluding the day of the exam itself
• final exams:
− November 15 for the fall session
− March 15 for the winter session
− Seven business days before the date of the exam for the spring/summer session
(excluding the day of the exam itself).

CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/careers/

Career Development Centre offers various services and resources in career development to enable you
to recognize and enhance the employability skills you need in today's world of work.

STUDENT RESOURCES CENTRES - http://www.communitylife.uottawa.ca/en/resources.php

The Student Resources Centres aim to fulfill all sorts of student needs.

The University of Ottawa does not tolerate any form of sexual violence. Sexual violence refers to any
act of a sexual nature committed without consent, such as rape, sexual harassment or online
harassment. The University, as well as student and employee associations, offers a full range of
resources and services allowing members of our community to receive information and confidential
assistance and providing for a procedure to report an incident or make a complaint. For more
information, visit www.uOttawa.ca/sexual-violence-support-and-prevention.

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Beware of Academic Fraud!
Academic fraud is an act committed by a student to distort the marking of assignments, tests,
examinations, and other forms of academic evaluation. Academic fraud is neither accepted nor
tolerated by the University. Anyone found guilty of academic fraud is liable to severe academic
sanctions.
Here are a few examples of academic fraud:
• engaging in any form of plagiarism or cheating;
• presenting falsified research data;
• handing in an assignment that was not authored, in whole or in part, by the student;
• submitting the same assignment in more than one course, without the written consent of the
professors concerned.
In recent years, the development of the Internet has made it much easier to identify academic
plagiarism. The tools available to your professors allow them to trace the exact origin of a text on
the Web, using just a few words.
In cases where students are unsure whether they are at fault, it is their responsibility to consult
the “Writing and Style Guide for University Papers and Assignments.” It can be found at:
http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/undergraduate/writing-style-guide.
Persons who have committed or attempted to commit (or have been accomplices to) academic
fraud will be penalized. Here are some examples of the academic sanctions, which can be imposed:
• a grade of “F” for the assignment or course in question;
• an additional program requirement of between 3 and 30 credits;
• suspension or expulsion from the Faculty.
For more information, refer to the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity:
http://www.uottawa.ca/vice-president-academic/sites/www.uottawa.ca.vice-president-
academic/files/academic-integrity-students-guide.pdf
and Academic Integrity Website (Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost)
http://web5.uottawa.ca/mcs-smc/academicintegrity/home.php.