Econ 232 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

1
Econ 232 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

• This is a macroeconomic theory course with a
  focus on applications to the real world.
• Do you aspire to work as an economist in an
  investment bank or hedge fund?
• Have you ever thought it would be fun to work on
  current affairs at a newspaper like the New York
  Times/Wall Street Journal or The Economist?
• Do you dream of one day running a business and
  want to know how the wider economic environment
  will affect your balance sheets?
• Then this course may be helpful to you.

2
Econ 232 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

• This course aims to provide you with a toolkit
  for thinking about current macroeconomic issues.
• The toolkit is straight-forward enough to carry
  around in your head, yet powerful and flexible
  enough to apply to new and unexpected events.
• What are the macroeconomic implications of the
  sub-prime mortgage market crisis?
• Why does the US have such a large current account
  deficit and what are the likely implications?
• Does it matter for economic growth in the US that
  the average American carries over 12000 in
  credit card debt?
• These are potentially complex questions that will
  be made accessible by the analytical tools
  developed in the course.

3
Econ 232 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

• Taught by Professor Ben Zissimos
• Office hours 1-2pm Mondays
• 1-2pm Wednesdays
• Meetings outside office hours by appointment
• Phone [phone]
• e-mail ben.zissimos_at_vanderbilt.edu

4
Teaching Assistant

• TA Caleb Stroup
• Office 401 Alumni Hall
• Office hours Wednesday 5-7pm
• e-mail james.c.stroup_at_vanderbilt.edu

5
Course Outline

• Intermediate level course in macroeconomics.
• Although the course has an applied focus, it
  will introduce the tools of modern macroeconomic
  theory to think about current issues.
• Main Text Blanchard, Macroeconomics 5th ed,
• published by Prentice Hall
• See my web site to access lecture notes and
  problem sets.

6
To access my web site

• Go to Vanderbilt University Economics Dept.
  website http//sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/econ/
• Click Faculty
• Click ZISSIMOS, Ben
• Click Personal Page http//www.people.vanderbi
  lt.edu/benjamin.c.zissimos
• Click teaching
• Click Econ 232 Macroeconomics
• OR Google me!

7
Pre-requisites

• Econ 100 (or equivalent), a basic knowledge of
  differential calculus and ability to solve
  simultaneous equations in two variables are
  prerequisites of this course. You will need to
  be able to tackle problems of the form
• Solve
• 2x y 0
• 2x (1-a)y
  1
• simultaneously for x and y in terms of a.

8
Examinations

• There will be two midterms and a final
  examination. Both midterms held during regular
  class periods. The midterm examinations are
  scheduled for September 30th and November 4th.
  The final examination will be as scheduled in the
  Vanderbilt catalogue. The examinations will
  consist of problems to be solved and written
  discussions/explanations. They will test whether
  you can use the models introduced in the course
  to answer questions about macroeconomic issues.

9
Grades

• Each midterm is worth 30 percent and the final
  examination is worth 40 percent.
• 5 bonus marks will be awarded to each student who
  hands in all but 2 problem sets, one each week by
  the beginning of the appropriate class each week.

10
Problem Sets

• Approximately one problem set per week.
• No points are given for problem sets.
• You may work on homework with other students.
  However, the work you hand in should be in your
  own words.
• If you hand in a homework then you will receive
  an answer key for it which you can use to verify
  your answers.
• You may consult with me or TA if necessary.

11
Absences

• No credit will be given for a missed examination
  or failure to hand in a problem set on time
  unless you have an excused absence as described
  in the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Catalogue.
• Except in cases of emergency, arrangements for
  completing a missed examination or for handing in
  a problem set due during an excused absence from
  campus must be made prior to the date of the
  examination or the due date of the problem set.

12
Honor Code

• The Vanderbilt Honor Code applies to this course.

13
Thanks!

• Thanks for your interest in the course. If you
  have any comments or questions then please let me
  know.