Macroeconomics is concerned with the operation of the economy as a whole, with attention paid to such things as unemployment, inflation, and interest rates, determination of the level of national income, savings and investment, and the exchange rate and the current account of the balance of payments. The course develops a consistent model of the economy to explore the interactions of key macroeconomic markets and variables and to examine the impacts of different kinds of shocks to the economy and the role of government budgetary and monetary policy in influencing the level of economic activity.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate mastery of the core theoretical models used by macroeconomists, in particular the Solow growth model and the AS/AD-model;
2. discuss the usefulness and limitations of these models;
3. explain and understand some of the associated empirical implications and policy issues;
4. critically read and understand many newspaper and magazine articles covering current economic events;
5. provide evidence of knowledge and contextual understanding of key institutional features of the Australian economy and some overseas economies

Research-Led Teaching

While the course’s mission is to teach macroeconomic principles, a strong emphasis will be placed on critical thinking. The lecturer in charge of this course has research interests in Computational Macroeconomics.

Examination Material or equipment

Non-programmable Calculator

Required Resources

Abel, A.B., Bernanke, B. and Croushore, D.D. (2021) Macroeconomics. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited. 

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Macroeconomics; The Measurement and Structure of the National Economy (Ch.1 & 2)
2	Productivity, Output, and Employment (Ch.3)
3	Consumption, Saving, and Investment (Ch.4)
4	Long-run Economic Growth (Ch.6)	In-tutorial group presentation starts
5	The Asset Market, Money, and Prices (Ch.7)
6	Business Cycles (Ch.8)	Mid-semester Exam
7	The IS-LM/AD-AS Model: A General Framework for Macroeconomic Analysis (Ch.9)
8	Classical Business Cycle Analysis: Market-Clearing Macroeconomics (Ch.10)
9	Keynesianism: The Macroeconomics of Wage and Price Rigidity (Ch.11)
10	Unemployment and Inflation (Ch.12)
11	Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve System (Ch.13)
12	Government Spending and Its Financing (Ch.15)	In-tutorial group presentation ends

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
In-lecture Participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
In-tutorial Group Presentation	10 %	*	*	2,3,4
Mid-Semester Exam	30 %	28/08/2023	18/09/2023	2,3,4,5
Final Exam	50 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This is an on-campus course. Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with “Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning”, clause 2 paragraph (b). Outside work commitments are, generally speaking, not acceptable grounds for missing tutorials and lectures.

Please note that preparing for lectures and tutorials in advance will considerably enhance your performance in this course.

In addition, tutorials are a discussion-based class. Providing worked solutions would not effectively compensate for missing a tutorial. Students who, through unavoidable and unplanned occurrences, are unable to attend a tutorial class one week are encouraged to work through the problems and attend a consultation session for discussion and solutions.

Examination(s)

Please see information under assessments.

Assessment Task 1

In-lecture Participation

10%, compulsory & flexible in the form of assessment

Students will need to sit in the lecture and participate proactively for participation marks, which will count for 10% of the student's final grade. Some questions will be available in class, on Wattle, checking for your attendance/participation. There are 12 weeks and only 8 out of 12 will be counted. If students cannot attend the lecture, they will have to submit a short summary on Wattle of the week's material: e.g. what is the most important/easiest/hardest takeaway from the lecture material. Further details of the 'summary' option for participation will be provided on Wattle. Tutorial participation marks will be produced in nearly-real-time, so you will have at least 4 of the participation marks by the end of Week 6.

Assessment Task 2

In-tutorial Group Presentation

10%, compulsory & non-redeemable

Students, grouped in 2 or 3, will have to prepare a short analysis studying macroeconomic data. Each group will prepare a brief written summary of no more than one typed page (not counting graphs and tables) and give a 5-7 minute presentation at the beginning of each tutorial, beginning in week 4. Students will get their topics 7 days prior to the presentation and have one week to prepare their presentations.

The student groups will be formed in week 2 or 3. Students will be randomly assigned groupmates by their tutors.

Assessment Task 3

Mid-Semester Exam

30%, compulsory & non-redeemable

A mid-semester exam will be held in Week 6 during lecture time. The exam will cover material presented throughout the first half of the semester. The mid-semester exam is compulsory to attend and will count for 30% of the student's final grade, and will take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. The mid-semester exam will be on-campus and invigilated. Further details are given on Wattle by the end of week 4. The Mid-semester exam will be returned within 3 weeks of the exam.

Assessment Task 4

Final Exam

50%, compulsory & non-redeemable

A final exam will be held during the ANU final exam period. The exam will cover material presented throughout the entire course. The final exam is compulsory to attempt and will count for 50% of the student's final grade, and will take roughly 2 to 3 hours. The final exam will be on-campus and invigilated. Further details will be given on Wattle in week 10.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students