Prof. Alex Tabarrok
Email: Tabarrok@gmu.edu
Office: Carow Hall
TA: Stuart Paul: Email spaul21@masonlive.gmu.edu
This is entirely an online course taught by Tyler Cowen (and Alex Tabarrok) based on their book Modern Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics. We think this is the best online course in principles of economics ever offered. The course is video based. Every video is followed by questions. Every week there is homework and a test. Lecture time is less and active learning time is more. Active learning requires more from the student so be prepared—the class will move quickly. There will also be opportunities to ask questions of the instructors and TAs.
Needed: This course is NOT ON BLACKBOARD. In order to take this course you must purchase access to the Sapling Plus homework system which gives access to the e-book, practice questions, homework and tests. You can get access for 6 months for $97.99. The Sapling Plus system has access to the e-book but we recommend that you purchase a package of Sapling Plus and 4 month rental of the textbook, Modern Principles: Macroeconomics (Cowen/Tabarrok) paperback.
The easiest way to get access to Sapling is here.
https://store.macmillanlearning.com/us/storefront/201902625
Look under the Rent tab for the package and click the
title to open it. The package is $117.99, only
slightly more expensive than the Sapling Plus system alone and we think that it
is worthwhile to have a paperback copy of the textbook that you can easily
read. Of course, you can also buy the textbook at Amazon or the GMU bookstore.
We are using the 4th edition but the 3rd will also cover
most of the same material.
Sign up with Sapling with the same name as at GMU. If you drop, don’t forget to drop at GMU.
Technical Support
If
you have trouble accessing the Sapling Plus system try the usual procedures of
using a different browser, updating your browser, clearing the cache, different
computer etc. If that doesn’t work, contact Sapling Support.
https://macmillan.force.com/macmillanlearning/s/contactsupport
My
experience is that support is very good. Note
that I can’t help you with technical
support! I’d like to but I don’t control the Sapling system. If support needs
to contact me they will.
Economics Support
The
economics department offers regular economics tutoring. I will email you the
hours. In addition, there is a TA for the course, Stuart Paul, who is available
to answer questions.
spaul21@masonlive.gmu.edu
You can
also email me with questions as well as arrange to come to my office in real
life!
Email
Every
GMU student in this class should monitor their GMU email for periodic announcements.
Grading
At the end of each Video
there are homework questions. On these questions you get unlimited attempts but
you lose 5% for each incorrect attempt. For each chapter there is also a Learning
Curve. You can answer as many Learning
Curve questions as you want to get up to a set number of points. Each
section also has an assessment section that is a combination of Ask Fred, Work It Out and News Analysis questions (not every
chapter has all categories). You also get multiple attempts at these questions
with a 5% penalty for each incorrect attempt. Each chapter concludes with a
chapter Test. Finally, there is a Midterm and a Final. Grades will be calculated as follows:
|
Your
numerical grade will be a good guide to your final letter grade but I reserve
the right to adjust (bell) the final grade.
Class Structure and Due Dates
It
is very important that you submit your homework and tests BEFORE the due date.
All times are EST! If your computer breaks down or if you lose internet access
and cannot submit your work you get ZERO—there
is no appeal.
You
will have plenty of opportunity to get your work done on time. It is your
responsibility not to forget! We will work according to the schedule below and you will be able to work one week ahead
if you choose. Thus, you have flexibility to get things done.
One
point to watch out for is that the front page will show you the items that are
due but it will only show the first 10 items or so. If the list looks long, you
need to check Activities and Due Dates to make sure you are covering
everything.
Use
the Sapling Plus homework system to check for due dates. Approximates dates are
as follows.
|
Week of |
Last day to complete |
Chapters |
|
Jan. 19 |
Jan. 26 (preferable) but up to Jan.
30 |
Chapter 6: GDP |
|
Jan. 27 |
Feb. 2 |
Chapter 7: The Wealth of Nations |
|
Feb. 3 |
Feb. 9 |
Chapter 8: Growth, Capital Accumulation, and the
Economics of Ideas |
|
Feb. 10 |
Feb. 16 |
Chapter 9: Saving, Investment, and the Financial System |
|
Feb. 17 |
Feb. 23 |
Chapter 10: Stock Markets and Personal Finance |
|
Feb. 24 |
Mar. 1 |
Chapter 11: Unemployment and Labor Force Participation |
|
Mar. 2 |
Mar. 8 |
Chapter 12: Inflation and the Quantity Theory of Money |
|
Mar. 6 |
Mar. 8 |
Midterm—must be completed by Mar. 8 |
|
Mar. 16 |
Mar. 22 (extra due to March break) |
Chapter 13: Business Fluctuations: Aggregate Demand and Supply |
|
Mar. 23 |
Mar. 29 |
Chapter 14: Transmission and Amplification Mechanisms |
|
Mar. 30 |
April 5 |
Chapter 15: The Federal Reserve System and Open Market
Operations |
|
April 6 |
April 12 |
Chapter 16: Monetary Policy |
|
April 13 |
April 19 |
Chapter 17: The Federal Budget: Taxes and Spending |
|
April 20 |
April 26 |
Chapter 18: Fiscal Policy |
|
April 27 |
May. 3 |
Chapter 21: Political Economy and Public Choice |
|
May. 8 |
May. 10 |
Final Exam—must be completed by May. 10 |
If
you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations,
please see me and contact the Office of Disability Resources at 703.993.2474.
All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office.
Students
are responsible for verifying their enrollment in this class.
Schedule adjustments should be made by the deadlines published in the Schedule
of Classes. (Deadlines each semester are published in the Schedule of Classes
available from the Registrar's Website registrar.gmu.edu.)