Principles
of Economics I

Macroeconomics

Fall 

15 Module Suggested Calendar

(Need to Know menu)

Textbook (Study Guide is similarly colored)

Supplementary Book

Six Initial Steps for Success
 

Introduction             

First Block of Study     

Coping with Scarcity in America and Abroad                                         

Second Block of Study

The Importance of Free Markets
&
Three Measures:
(1) National Income, (2) Employment, and (3) Inflation
 

Third Block of Study     

Money, the Keynesian Revolution, and
Dampening the Business Cycle through Economics Policy

 2.  Introduction          (How to use the Syllabus and 15-Module Calendar)   

 3.   Table of Links to 15 Modules of Instruction    and    PHCC Links                                            

 4.  Fall Semester Course and How It's Graded                                                                         

 5.   How to Request a Proctor                                                                                      

 6.   Link to Projects #1, #2, #3, and #4                                     

 7.  How to Send Me Your Request for Financial Aid Verification                          

 8.  Table Explaining How to Use the 4 Columns of Information in the 15-Module Calendar       

 9.  First Block of Study                                

 10.  Second Block of Study                         

 11.  Third Block of Study                             

 12.  What's happening in Microeconomics?
 

(Expect a holiday during Thanksgiving.)

If you complete a proctor request form, the  Learning Resource Center (LRC) staff will send your exams to the proctored location you request. 

Contact Carol Ford, cford@ph.vccs.edu  for instructions on how to request a proctor.
 

Projects #1, #2, #3, and #4 each earn you up to 100 electronic participation points.
(That's 400 of the 1000 points possible Principles of Economics II.)

You don't need to wait to begin the projects.

Projects #1, #2, and #3 are based upon The Economics of Public Issues.

Project #1 is a report on Part 1- Foundations of Economic Analysis . 
Project #2 is a report on Part 2 - Supply and Demand. 
Project #3 is a report on Part 3 - Alternative (Non-price) Rationing Systems.
Project 4 is a report on Part 7 - International Trade and Economic Prosperity.

Project #1 is due during Module 5 Part 1.
Project #2 is due during Module 10 Part 1.
Project #3 is due during Module 15 Part 1.
Project #4 is your final exam and is due by the deadline at the bottom of the 15-Module Calendar.
 

Date sent: _______________

Dear Professor Meyer and Dear Staff at the Financial Aid Office,

 1. In Principles of Economics I (Macroeconomics), I have done the assigned reading in the 15-Module Calendar for each assigned chapter up to and including
Chapter # __________________ called " ____________________________________________."

 2. Regarding my homework, I have completed my Study Guide for this chapter and preceding chapters, beginning with page"________" and ending with page "________"
on this date: "____________________." 

 3. I have taken the pre- and post-study bonus quizzes through Moudle # ___________________, and the results have been posted to BlackBoard.  (See note.)

(Or specify what ever you have done to deserve your financial aid.) ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Please process my request for financial aid.  Thanks very much!

Sincerely,

Name: ________________________________

Introduction - How to use the Quick Links in these modules.

Module 1

Assignment

(Step 1)
For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on BlackBoard before Lesson Plan 1 begins.

(Step 2)
Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
 "Getting Started "

in your text and study guide.  Complete the Study Guide entirely.
(Exams measure your mastery of the Study Guide.)

Course Objectives

(Step 3)
Master these
Course Objectives by completing Steps 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 in Module #1.

(Step 4)
For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after completing Lesson Plan 2.

Repeat these steps in each learning module.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Additional Help

Weekend Bonus Points

Use  Take a Bonus Quiz  tab on BlackBoard to link to Pre-study quizzes (before you read an assigned chapter);
Then use  Take a Bonus Quiz  tab and complete thePost-study quizzes (after you have read an assigned chapter and completed the corresponding work in the study guide) .

Pre-study bonus quizzes open at midnight on Sunday morning and close at 11:55 PM before Lesson Plan 1.

Post-study bonus quizzes open at midnight on Saturday morning and close at 11:55 PM after Lesson Plan 2.

You can see your scores within 24 hours on BlackBoard.

Server Failure

If BlackBoard server fails: (1) use Internet Explorer to link to the instructor home page: http://164.106.143.4/eco and 
(2) then click on the homepage for Principles of Economics I.

Daily Class Outlines

(Step 3.1)
Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

(Step 3.2)
Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Getting Started
Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

(Step 3.3)
In this chapter you are introduced to:
(1) the subject of making wise choices about using limited resources;
(2) the model building that makes economics a science; and
(3) rational decision-making.

Module 2

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title: 
"The U.S. and Global Economies "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Additional Help

If you need a proctor request form, contact:
cford@ph.vccs.edu .
 

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

The U.S. and
Global Economies Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

In this chapter you discover: 
(1) resources available and used,  
(2) changes in the standard of living and cost of living, and (3)economic fluctuations in the USA and the world as a whole.

Module 3 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"The Economic Problem "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.
 

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Additional Help
 

If you need help with BlackBoard, send an email to our webmaster: mnelson@ph.vccs.edu .

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

The Economic
Problem Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

In this chapter you see that the model called the production possibility frontier (PPF):
(1)  shows each country's choices, 
(2) illustrates scarcity and cost, and
(3) through specialization and trade encourages growth through an expansion of the PPF.

Module 4

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"International Trade "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table:  

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

International Trade
Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

Discover how following comparative advantage enables two trading nations to consume beyond their domestic production possibilities!

Module 5 

Assignment

Turn in Project 1 during Lesson Plan 1:

Presentation #1 (or)
Issue Paper #1

Review

During Lesson Plan 2 take:

Exam #1

Prepare for Exam #1 using these:

Course  Objectives

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table:

Be a participant in Team Presentation #1

or

Turn in your 1st issue-paper and reports on issue-papers from two other students.

These requirements are described in the HOW TO PREPARE  link of the syllabus.

Daily Class Outlines

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

Presentation #1 or turn-in Issue-Paper #1

followed by
Review Session

 followed by
Exam #1

Measure your progress.

Exam #1 has 33  true/false, multiple choice, problems, and short answer questions like those in your study guide and text.

Exam #1 is worth 200 of 1000 possible course points.

&
 Course Objectives

Module 6 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"Demand and Supply "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table:

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Demand and Supply
Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson
Slides

Like the blades of a scissors, learn how forces of demand and supply  determine prices and quantities in our markets for goods and services.

Module 7 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"GDP and the Standard of Living "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

GDP and the Standard
of Living Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

Discover how statisticians measure our standard of living through:
(1) total expenditures; and
(2) total income earned; then
(3) learn how these are divided by the GDP deflator to adjust for increases in the  cost of living.

Module 8 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title: 
"Jobs and Unemployment "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Jobs and Unemployment Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

Learn about:
(1) the monthly survey of the labor market status of our population;
(2) trends in the labor market; and
(3) types of unemployment.

Module 9 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"The CPI and the Cost of Living "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.
 

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

The CPI and the
Cost of Living Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

Learn how statisticians measure:
(1) price level and inflation;
(2) how to use the price index to convert changing dollar values into real purchasing power.

Module 10

Assignment

Turn in Project 2 during Lesson Plan 1.

Presentation #2 (or)
Issue Paper #2

Review

During Lesson Plan 2 take:

Exam #2 

Course Objectives

Prepare for Exam #2 using these:

Course Objectives

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Be a participant in Team Presentation #2

or

Turn in your 2nd issue-paper and reports on issue-papers from two other students.

These requirements are described in the HOW TO PREPARE  link of the syllabus.

Daily Class Outlines

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

Review Session

followed by

Exam #2

Measure your progress.

Exam #2 has 33  true/false, multiple choice, problems, and short answer questions like those in your study guide and text.

Exam #2 is worth 200 of 1000 possible course points.

Module 11 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"Money and the Monetary System "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Money and the
Monetary System Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson 
Slides

Learn about:
(1) how the money supply is measured and
(2) how making loans expands the money supply.

Continuous Course Improvement Efforts

In addition to my Course Critiques attached to Exams #1, #2, and #3, PHCC provides distant learners and selective sections of in-class students with an opportunity to evaluate courses during this time frame. 
(1) Distant learners: Distance learners should watch for the link provided by our webmaster.  He generally publishes it as an announcement. 
(2) In-class students: If I have chosen your section, I will bring the necessary entry code to in-class students.
 
Thanks for your suggestions and comments.  They help me to continually improve Principles of Economics for future students!
 - Tom Meyer

Module 12 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"Money Creation and Control "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2. 

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table:

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Money Creation and
Control Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson
Slides

Discover how changes in 
(1) reserve ratio,
(2) open market purchases and sales of securities, and
(3) the discount rate raise or lower the money supply.

Continuous Course Improvement Efforts

In addition to my Course Critiques attached to Exams #1, #2, and #3, PHCC provides distant learners and selective sections of in-class students with an opportunity to evaluate courses during this time frame. 
(1) Distant learners: Distance learners should watch for the link provided by our webmaster.  He generally publishes it as an announcement. 
(2) In-class students: If I have chosen your section, I will bring the necessary entry code to in-class students.
 
Thanks for your suggestions and comments.  They help me to continually improve Principles of Economics for future students!
 - Tom Meyer

Module 13

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
"Aggregate Expenditure "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Aggregate Expenditure
Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson
Slides

Chapter Overview

Learn the unique theory John Maynard Keynes invented to explain the Great Depression so that in the next module you can learn what could be done by government to undue the harm caused.

Module 14 

Assignment

(1) For optional bonus points, take the pre-study quizzes on Sunday before Lesson Plan 1

(2) Read & Study:

Chapter Title:
 "Fiscal and Monetary Policy Effects "

in your text and study guide.

Course Objectives

(3) Master these:

Course Objectives

(4) For optional bonus points, take the post-study quizzes on Saturday after Lesson Plan 2.

Timeline

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table:

Daily Class Outlines

Do the homework in the Lesson Plan links.

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

PowerPoint Slides

Read the PowerPoint Chapter Lecture link.

Fiscal and Monetary
Policy Effects
Lecture

Alternate links are enrichment but are not required reading:

Alternate Lesson 1

Alternate Lesson 2

Alternate Lesson
Slides 

Chapter Overview

(1) Learn how manipulating government spending, taxes, and transfers can be good fiscal policy.  
(2) Learn how manipulating money supply and interest rates can be good monetary policy.

Prepare for Exam #3 using these Course Objectives

Daily Class Outlines

Lesson Plan 1

Lesson Plan 2

Review Session

followed by

Exam #3

Measure your progress.

Exam #3 has 33  true/false, multiple choice, problems, and short answer questions like those in your study guide and text.

Exam #3 is worth 200 of 1000 possible course points.

Module 16

Assignment

Turn in Project #4

Keep up with the timeline.
Click and study the Lesson Plan links in blue on dates shown in the following table: 

Daily Class Outlines

Your final exam
consists of an
issue-paper
described in
the HOW TO PREPARE  link of the Syllabus. 
The issue-paper
may turned in
along with Exams 1, 2, or 3, but is due back to the instructor not later than 5 PM on the first day scheduled for final exams. 
 

 Your Instructor is Watching and Waiting for Your Results.
Send him an email when you have turned in your issue-papers or presentations so they can be  promptly graded.

HOW TO PREPARE

Your issue-paper is your final examination.

Click syllabus;
then click HOW TO PREPARE .