Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: ECON-2301 (Section: 71, CRN: 10387)
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 Through Friday 9.30 to 11.30

I will be available wednesday and sunday from 7 to 9 through collaborate in Blackboard for virtual office hours
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.

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

Laptop Computer (with webcam)

Respondus Lockdown Browser (Free Download). The instructions for installing the browser can be found in the Blackboard course page
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
*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
  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
Exam One: 1-3
Feb 19-Feb 23
Week 4 Chapter 3 The Market at Work: Supply and Demand
Exam One: 1-3
Feb 19-Feb 23
Chapter 5 Price Controls
Week 5 Chapter 5 Price Controls Chapter 6 Introduction to Macroeconomics and Gross Domestic Product
Week 6 Chapter 6 Introduction to Macroeconomics and Gross Domestic Product Chapter 7 Unemployment
Exam Two: 5,6,7
Mar 20-Mar 26
Week 7 Chapter 7 Unemployment
Week 8 Spring break- No work due
Week 9 Chapter 8 The Price Level and Inflation
Exam Two: 5,6,7
Mar 20-Mar 26

 
Week 10 Chapter 8 The Price Level and Inflation
Chapter 13 The Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model

 
Week 11 Chapter 13 The Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model
Chapter 14 Recessions, Expansions, and the Debates over How to Manage Them


 
Week 12 Chapter 14 Recessions, Expansions, and the Debates over How to Manage Them
Exam Three: 8,13,14 Apri 10-Apr 15
Chapter 15 Federal Budgets: The Tools of Fiscal Policy
Week 13
Chapter 15 Federal Budgets: The Tools of Fiscal Policy 
Chapter 16 Fiscal Policy
Week 14 Chapter 16 Fiscal Policy
Week 15 Chapter 16 Money and the Federal Reserve
Week 16 Chapter 16 Money and the Federal Reserve
Week 17 Final Exam: 15,16,17
May 8- May 12


Final Exam Date May 8, 2025 - 9:0 AM   Through  May 12, 2025 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Inquistive  Assignments: Students will complete Inqusitive  assignments covering the chapters for the week.The assignments together are worth 10% of the student’s final grade. These assignments are graded for completion and are designed to help you learn the material and prepare for the exams.They will be due Monday or Friday 
 
Graded Homework: Students will have  graded homework assignment per week covering the chapters covered that week. The homework assignments will be due Monday or Friday and together are worth 20% of the student’s final grade.
 
Writing Assignments: You will have several  writing assignment worth 10% of your grade. You will be expected to submit 2 3-5 double-spaces, Times New Roman 12 font pages of your own writing. 
 
Exams: 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.


Discussions: This is a critical thinking component of the course. The discussions will happen in Blackboard and are worth 10 %of your grade.

FRED: These assignments involve creating graphs and analyzing the results. They are worth 10 % of your grade.

Course Policies
Instructor Policies
  • 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. 
 
Make up 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. 


Extra Credit: No extra credit will be offered in this class.


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

Announcements:  It is the student's responsibility to check Blackboard for any announcements. 



Assignments and exam must be completed online by 11:59 PM on the due date listed

 


Attendance Policy Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.

Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.

Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.
Additional Information
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

Any graded assignment in  this class must be written by the student enrolled in the class without any outside help.Plagiarism policy will be discussed in detail in class; 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

All of your exams will be take online. You will be taking them using the proctoring feature- Respondus Lockdown Browser.
You will need a working webcam. You will need to provide proof of id. You will need to make sure that there are no notes/study aids in the vicinity of your test taking. If you do not follow these policies, you will earn a zero on the exam

Students should download the Blackboard and Outlook apps to their phone and stay logged into their LSCPA accounts in order to receive proper notifications of assignments and announcements. 
 

Technology Help

 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:

Blackboard: 
 
 
 
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