Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: ECON-2301 (Section: 1, CRN: 93467)
Principles of Macroeconomics 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Brian Lynch
Email lynchb@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6015
Office Student Center - Room: 425
Office Hours Monday Wednesday 9.30 to 11.30 am
Tuesday and Thursday 11-3 pm
Friday  8-11.30
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description An analysis of the economy as a whole including measurement and determination of Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply, national income, inflation, and unemployment. Other topics include international trade, economic growth, business cycles, and fiscal policy and monetary policy.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Required Textbook 9781324034001 Principles of Macroeconomics - With Access by Coppock, Lee
4TH 24
I want students to be able to have access to a hard copy version of the textbook, but also be able to access the homework and study tools that are necessary to succeed in this course. When you first log into Blackboard for this class, there will be a link to click on that will connect you to the E-book. 
Additional Materials/Resources

You will need to purchase scantrons to take each of the 4 tests

Required Software (available free of charge)

Microsoft Office
This software package contains MSWord which you’ll need in this course & other useful programs. Office 365 suite is available to students Free of Charge.
The URL for the instruction page and link to download Office 365 is

https://lamarsupportservices.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/320/Portal-LSCPA/KB/ArticleDet?ID=16454

IT Support
The computer lab is located in Education Building 1, Room 132.
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 7:30am-7:30pm
Friday 7:30am-5:00pm
Help Desk and Support Services
Get Support or Request Service Online using TeamDyanmix
Contact the Help Desk for assistance by E-mail HelpDesk@lamarpa.edu or by phone (409) 984-6150 during the following normal business hours:

24/7 Blackboard Online Support Desk Important
Phone: 936-496-5379
Email: bbhelp@lamarpa.edu
 
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
  • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcome 1 Core Objective Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
1.Explain the role of scarcity, specialization, opportunity cost and cost/benefit analysis in economic decision-making. Critical Thinking Students will analyze production decisions and make choices based on opportunity costs
2. Identify the determinants of supply and demand; demonstrate the impact in shifts in both market supply and demand curves on equilibrium price and output. Critical Thinking Students will create a project based on real world changes in the marketplace
3.Define and measure national income and rates of unemployment and inflation. Empirical and Quantitative Skills Students are tested on these foundational concepts

4.Identify the phases of the business cycle and the problems caused by cyclical fluctuations in the market economy.
 
Critical Thinking Students interpret graphs to determine turning points in the economy
5.Construct the aggregate demand and aggregate supply model of the macro economy and use it to illustrate macroeconomic problems and potential monetary and fiscal policy solutions.
 
Empirical and Quantitative Skills
Students will apply the model to various scenarios.
6.
Define money and the money supply; describe the process of money creation by the banking system and the role of the central bank.


 
Critical Thinking Students will analyze changes in monetary policy


 
7.
Explain the mechanics and institutions of international trade and their impact on the macro economy.
 
Critical Thinking
Students will prepare short answer responses on these topics.
8.
Define economic growth and identify sources of economic growth.
 
Critical Thinking
Students will be tested on these foundational concepts.
 
 

Core Objectives
Lecture Topics Outline
Unit One Chapter 1 Five Foundations of Economics
  Chapter 2 Model Building and Gains From Trade
  Chapter 3 The Market at Work: Supply and Demand
Unit Two Chapter 5 Price Controls
  Chapter 6 Introduction to Macroeconomics and Gross Domestic Product
  Chapter 7 Unemployment
Unit Three Chapter 8 The Price Level and Inflation
  Chapter 13 The Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model
  Chapter 14 Recessions, Expansions, and the Debates over How to Manage Them
Unit Four Chapter 15 Federal Budgets: The Tools of Fiscal Policy
  Chapter 16 Fiscal Policy
  Chapter 17 Money and the Federal Reserve

Major Assignments Schedule
Week 1 Chapter 1 Five Foundations of Economics
Week 2 Chapter 2 Model Building and Gains From Trade
Week 3 Chapter 2 Model Building and Gains From Trade Chapter 3 The Market at Work: Supply and Demand
 
Week 4 Chapter 3 The Market at Work: Supply and Demand
 
Week 5  Exam One: 1-3 (Demand section only)
WeeK 5 Chapter 3 supply and equilibrium
Week 6 Chapter 5 Price Controls and chapter 3 equilibrium
Week 7  Chapter 5 Price Controls
Week 8 Exam 2 October 16 Supply, Equilibrium and Chapter 5
Chapter 6 Introduction to Macroeconomics and Gross Domestic Product
Week 9 Chapter 6 Introduction to Macroeconomics and Gross Domestic Product
Week 10 Chapter 7 Unemployment
 
Week 11 Chapter 7 Unemployment
Week 12 Chapter 8 The Price Level and Inflation November 11:  Exam 3 chapters 6 and 7
Week 13 Chapter 8 The price level and inflation
Chapter 13 The Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model
Week 14 Thanksgiving Break
Week 15
Chapter 13 The Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model
 
Week 16 Final Exam: Chapters 8,13 December 9

 
Final Exam Date December 9, 2025 - 8:10 AM   Through  December 9, 2025 - 9:25 AM
Grading Scale
Determination of
Final Grade
Graded Homework: Students will have weekly graded homework assignment .The homework assignments will be due Monday or Wednesday and are worth 20% of the student’s final grade.

Writing Assignments:  These creative writing assignments will require the student to present material in a formal manner. Description of these writing assignments will be found in Blackboard. They are worth 15 % of your grade

Exams: Students will take 4 timed exams. The tests are worth 50 percent of your grade Each exam will cover the readings and assignments for a segment of the course—the fourth exam is not cumulative. These exams will be taken in class and may cover the whole class period.

Participation/Discussions: This is a critical thinking component of the course. The discussions will happen in class or on Blackboard and are worth 15 percent of your grade. Participation also includes class activities, and KAHOOT quizzes. This will be explained in class



Assignments must be completed online by 11:59 PM on the due date listed in Blackboard 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

LET'S START WITH THE 2 MAJOR POLICIES

  • NO CELL PHONE USED ALLOWED IN THE CLASS, UNLESS IT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, AS DIRECTED BY ME- for example- using KAHOOT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE WILL BE DOCUMENTED BY ME AND CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS FROM YOUR SCHOOL
  • CHROMEBOOKS, LAPTOPS ARE ONLY TO USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. SOME CLASS LECTURES MAY USE PEARDECK. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE WILL BE DOCUMENTED BY ME CAN RESULT IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER USE THIS DEVICE, AND CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS FROM YOUR SCHOOL 

  • All Email Communication must come from an @lamarpa.edu email address from the student enrolled in this course. I am unable to respond to any emails from outside parties.

  • Instructor will respond to emails through official avenues only, this includes office phone, lamarpa.edu email and Bookings messages and meeting requests.
  • DO NOT add or message your instructor on ANY social media platform.
  • DO NOT call or text your instructor on a personal line, this information is not readily available to the public and will be considered Stalking.

  • Emails Must contain the students name, class section, and a detailed description of their question written in complete sentences. Please include screenshots when appropriate.I will not discuss your grade via email

  • I will respond to emails in the order they are received. I will not be available to respond to emails outside of regular working hours (9am-4pm M-F). Emails sent outside of these hours may take up to two business days for a response.

  • Make up work: There is no makeup work accepted in the class. Assignments turned in after the deadline will result in a zero grade
     
  • Documented medical needs and emergencies are required if a student is unable to take an exam or complete a graded assignment outside of the deadline

Extra Credit: Do not ask me for extra credit!
  • Academic Honesty: Any written assignment must be written by YOU!! There is no outside assistance allowed. If you are not sure about what a graded assignment do not hesitate to contact me. You will receive an academic honesty contract in class, and will sign it and return it back to me.
  • Any graded assignment in this class must be written by the student enrolled in the class without any outside help. A first offense will result in a 0 grade for the assignment, and a second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense
  • Do not copy from another student, or do you share your work with another student. The first offense will result in a 0 grade for the assignment, and a second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense.
  • If you have completed a test and share information with another student, you and that student will receive a zero on the test. A second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense.

AI, AI, OMG

AI Tools in Our Course: This course recognizes that AI tools are increasingly part of the academic and professional landscape. You may use AI tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming, outlining, or getting unstuck in your thinking process. However, the final written product must be substantively your own work.

When you use AI in your process, you must include a brief appendix to your assignment that explains: 1) which tool you used, 2) what prompts you provided, and 3) how you incorporated or modified the AI-generated content. Using AI without this documentation will be considered an academic integrity violation."

 
Attendance Policy Regular attendance in this class is mandatory. You are expected to attend every class session. I do realize that your role as a high school student may cause you to miss class. However, it is up to you to make sure that you are caught up on the classwork and turn the assignments in on time.

Being tardy for class can have a significant impact on your grade, and other student’s grades. I will be here in class, so I expect you to be. You may decide to show up in time, and then decide you have to use the restroom. If you return past the start time for the class, you will be considered tardy. If you have time to socialize, text, chill before you come to class, you most definitely have the ability to show up for class on time.

Each time you are tardy, you disrupt the class, your grade, and your fellow students' grades.

There are times when the building may have to be evacuated. For this reason, there will be a record sheet that you will have to sign when leaving and coming back from the restroom. If something does happen, it will be easier to keep track of where everyone is. In addition, the restroom be used, once a student has returned back to the classroom 
Additional Information
  • During class, you are expected to behave in a mature and responsible manner. Cellphone use or abuse of computers during class time will not be tolerated, and anyone in violation of this rule will lose out on their participation grade for the day; Additionally, I will notify the school of anyone using or misusing their phones/computers in my class, which may result in additional penalty such as exclusions from extracurricular activities
     
  • If you engage in behavior is harassing or incites fear, you will be asked to leave the class, and this may result in expulsion from the course. If you attack myself or another student personally, use offensive, racist, or discriminatory language, you will be asked to leave the class, and this may result in expulsion from the course. Having side conversations with each other may seem like a worthwhile way to pass the time. However, this is distracting to me and the other students. If you are asked to refrain from such an action, and choose to ignore it, you will be asked to leave the class. Continued behavior that interrupts the flow of the class, may result in expulsion from the course. 
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Cristina Lawson
Email:lawsonac@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381