Economics 1500-002, Fall 2009
Economics and Finance Dept.
Instructor: Michael D. Thomas
Utah State University
Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles
Email: michael.d.thomas@aggiemail.usu.edu Office: Bus 110A
Class: Eccles Business 215
Phone: 797-0331
Office Hours: After class and by appointment
Time: MWF 8:30 am – 9:20 am
Text: Macroeconomics (7th ed.) by Colander. You have your choice of purchasing a hard copy of the text
or an eBook. If you decide you want the eBook, online access can be purchased at
www.coursesmart.com or a downloadable version can be purchased at http://textbooks.vitalsource.com.
Additional readings will be posted to blackboard, which can be accessed online.
Course Description and objectives:
1. Nature of a market economy;
2. Concept of economic efficiency;
3. Basic U.S. economic institutions;
4. Measurement and determinants of GDP;
5. Measurement and determinants of unemployment;
6. Measurement and determinants of inflation;
7. Basic AS/AD model;
8. Essential concepts related to monetary policy;
9. Essential concepts related to fiscal policy; and
10. Be able to read about current economic issues and provide insightful written responses
Requirements: Class attendance helps to supplement and solidify the readings and assignments.
Quizzes (weekly): Quizzes test reading comprehension and are preformed outside of class. They must
be completed by the beginning of class Monday of each week on blackboard before the assignment is
closed. Because of this there no late quizzes given but the lowest four scores will be dropped.
Problem Sets (before each exam): Problem sets will be posted to blackboard and must be completed
and handed in at the beginning of class on the Wednesday before each exam. These will prepare you
for the short answer portion of each exam. We will discuss these problems in class before the exam
and therefore no late assignments can be accepted. 4 of the five problem sets will count toward your