Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: ECON-2301 (Section: 1M, CRN: 11463)
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 Office hours: 9.30-11:30 M-F

 

">Office hours: 9.30-11:30 M-F

 

">Office hours: 9.30-11:30 M-F

 

">Office hours: 9.30-11:30 M-F

 
Additional Contact Information Email me with questions. I will normally reply to an email within 24-36 hours.
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.

Required Textbook ISBN 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.
Additional Materials/Resources 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
Corequisites/Prerequisites ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
  • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing
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    • ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
    • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing
    ">ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
  • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing
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    • 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
    * Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.
    * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
    * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
    * Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
    * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.
    * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

    Lecture Topics Outline
    Unit One Chapter 1 Five Foundations of Economics
      Chapter 2 Model Building and Gains From Trade
    Exam One: 1-3 Chapter 3 The Market at Work: Supply and Demand
    Unit Two Chapter 5 Price Controls
      Chapter 6 Introduction to Macroeconomics and Gross Domestic Product
    Exam Two: 5,6,7 Chapter 7 Unemployment
    Unit Three Chapter 8 The Price Level and Inflation
      Chapter 13 The Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model
    Exam Three: 8,13,14 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
    Final Exam: 15,16,17 Chapter 16 Money and the Federal Reserve

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SPECIFIC EXAM SCHEDULE WILL BE POSTED IN THE BLACKBOARD COURSE PAGES
    Major Assignments Schedule All assignments are completed using information in the textbook,and using the homework connected to the book website. 

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SPECIFIC EXAM SCHEDULE AND DUE DATES FOR ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE POSTED IN THE BLACKBOARD COURSE PAGES
    Final Exam Date May 8, 2025 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 12, 2025 - 2:0 PM
    Grading Scale
    Determination of
    Final Grade

    DO NOT ASK FOR EXTRA CREDIT- AS IN DO NOT ASK FOR EXTRA CREDIT- YOU WILL GET EXTRA CREDIT, BUT TO FIND OUT HOW- KEEP READING

    SmartWork: (10%) These assignments are graded for completion and are designed to help you learn the material and prepare for the exams. These assignments are connected to the E-textbook and you will have to log into Blackboard to complete this specific assignment

    Make sure to check Blackboard for the due dates as these dates can be subject to change based on a multitude of reasons
      
    Graded Homework: (25%) Students will have graded homework assignments that assess student knowledge of material covered in each module.

    Make sure to check Blackboard for the due dates as these dates can be subject to change based on a multitude of reasons
     
    Writing/Creative Assignments: (15%) You will have several writing/creative assignments. They will be broken into
    a. Writing organized, structured essays about different economic concepts
    b. Creating infographics/presentations/photo essays about different economic concepts.

    Make sure to check Blackboard for the due dates as these dates can be subject to change based on a multitude of reasons

    Exams: (40%) Students will take 4 timed exams, each worth 10% of the student’s final grade. Each exam will cover the readings and assignments for a segment of the course—the fourth exam is not cumulative.
    Exam 1 will be available February 25. Exam 2: March 26 Exam 3: April 14 Exam 4 (final exam) May 8th

    Make sure to check Blackboard for the due dates, as these dates can be subject to change based on a multitude of reasons

    Discussions: (5%) In any classroom, online or in person, there should always be the opportunity for students to discuss issues that relate to current events and topics that are covered during the semester. These discussions will occur in Blackboard.

    Make sure to check Blackboard for the due dates as these dates can be subject to change based on a multitude of reasons

    Analyzing Graphs: (5%) These assignments will require the student to answer questions based on graphs that they have created, of have been created for them 

    Make sure to check Blackboard for the due dates as these dates can be subject to change based on a multitude of reasons
    Course Policies
    Instructor Policies In this section, you will find information on 

    • The format for contacting me
    • My policy on academic honesty
    • My policy on interacting with your fellow students in the class
    • My policy on late work

    Contacting me

    • 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.
    • I 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. Instructor 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. 

    My policy on academic honesty

    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
     
    Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to the Academic Honesty policy found in the Student Handbook. 

    Conduct towards your fellow students

    If you engage in behavior is harassing or incites fear, you may be suspended from this class, and this may result in expulsion from the course. If you attack me or another student personally, use offensive, racist, or discriminatory language, you may be suspended from this class, and this may result in expulsion from the course. Respecting each other can apply to your interaction in the classroom, interaction with the instructor via email or in person, or on the online discussion boards

    My policy on late work

    Every student gets 2 graded assignment extensions. The student must notify me before the assignment is due. For example, if the assignment is due on a Monday, they can turn it in the following day, without incurring a zero. At the end of the semester, the student will receive extra credit for any extensions they have not used.
    Documented medical needs and emergencies are required if a student is unable to take an exam or complete a graded assignment outside of the grace period. Please note that this will be determined at my discretion
    Attendance Policy There is no scheduled meeting times. It is your responsibility to manage your schedule to include completion of course requirements as scheduled
    Additional Information If you need help with anything technology related
    Technology Help: Lamar State College Port Arthur Campus: Education Building 1, Room 132.
     
    Hours of Operation
    Monday-Thursday 7:30am-7:30pm
    Friday 7:30am-5:00pm 
    Contact the Help Desk for assistance by E-mail HelpDesk@lamarpa.edu or by phone (409) 984-6150 during the following normal business hours:
    Get Support or Request Service Online using TeamDyanmix
    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:Sheila Guillot
    Email:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
    Phone:(409) 984-6381