Intermediate Microeconomics
Fall 2010
Professor: Minghua Chen, Ph.D.
Research Institute of Economics and Management
Southwest University of Finance and Economics
Office: Research Institute of Economics and Management 312
Telephone: TBA
Email: minghuachen2001@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesday 3:45-5:25 PM or by appointment
Locations: Tongbo Building A521
TA: TBA
Textbook: Macroeconomics
In addition, I will assign you some supplementary articles from distinguished economic journals and magazines to read. , by N. Gregory Mankiw, 7th Edition (but earlier editions is also acceptable), Worth Publisher.
Course objective: Exploring macroeconomics is an exciting journey. This course builds on the theories developed in principles of macroeconomics. Students will learn to analyze the basic facts about the macro-economy, the methods of analysis frequently used by economists, the fundamental theories of how the values of the main macroeconomic variables are determined and the basic controversies about the trade-offs involved in policy intervention, etc. I expect that by the end of the semester you will have a solid grasp and understanding of the fundamental theories and ideas in macroeconomics, and you will be able to apply these concepts and tools to solve problems that are new to you.
Prerequisites: Students are required to take the Principle of Microeconomics, Principle of Macroeconomics before taking this course. Basic algebra skills are also necessary for this course.
Exams, quizzes, homework, and grading:
1) There will be one midterm exam and a final, both closed-book. Modern technology will not be adopted in exams, in other words, you will not be allowed to use laptop, palm, the calculator function of your cellphone and so on.
2) There will be NO makeup exams.
3) There will be four homework assignments. These assignments all carry equal weight and will be averaged together for a “homework grade.” Late homework will not be accepted.
Teamwork is allowed and encouraged but the work that you turn in must be your own. I would suggest you to start your homework without your teammates beside you and write it independently. Simply copying someone else’s work constitutes cheating and will only poorly help you to learn knowledge.