Category Archives: Macroeconomics

Last Day – Classes for you

Tomorrow is the last day of class in my classes due to my being out of town on the 18th.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR ALL HANDS ON DECK, AND PLEASE BE ON TIME– THERE IS A LOT TO ACCOMPLISH ON THIS LAST DAY.

In Mgr Econ we will have the final presentation, by Nick Lewis and Rosalynn Kim. I will pass out the take home portion of the final.

In ECO100(1) and ECO100(2), we will finish up the presentations of all we can. Folks will have to go fast. I have completed all the ECO100(2) paper grading and will return hard copies in class. I will send out the electronic grades tomorrow as well.  The ECO100(1) grades should follow by the day after Tax Day.

Bring your powerpoint on a chip so it is easy to get on the computer. it is hard to get them down by mail.

In Micro we also are having final presentations. Again BRING PRESENTATIONS ON A CHIP (FLASH DRIVE).

Thanks for your cooperation. I have enjoyed having all of you in class, and wish you good luck on the final.

What’s on the final? – Macro Spring

Here’s a cut at what you may find important for the exam.  It covers chapters 10-15 and you are allowed a single 8.5 x 11 inch both sides sheet of notes. The exam will be designed for 1 hour but you will have two to take it.

Chapter 10

Money, how a reserve system generates a larger money supply.  The fed and what can it do? (three types of operations).  What is the velocity of money and why is MV = PY important? What does it mean?

Chapter 11

The Financial System; bonds, stocks.  What are the terms used in the bond trade and how do we calculate the current value of a bond? How do we calculate the value of a stock which pays a dividend? what role do bond and stock markets play (information, risk sharing) how does it work? Why is diversification good? What determines international capital flows? why is S + KI = I in the GDP equation? What is the supply and demand picture for an open economy?  How does the savings rate relate to the trade deficit?

Chapter 12 short term economic fluctuations

Recessions and expansions– how do we call them and who dies it?  what do cycles of recession and expansion look like since 1999 for instance? What is the output gap? What is the natural rate of cyclic Unemployment and the unemployment gap?  What is Okun’s law? Be precise! Why do short term fluctuations occur?

Chapter 13 Spending and output in the short run

The Keynesian cross and PAE, its definition, what’s the equation and what are the parts, how does it relate to Y?  what is the Keynesian cross diagram and the mpc?  What is the multiplier? what does all this let us predict?What happens if there is an increase or decline in PAE? What could cause that? How does Government Spending, Taxes and Transfers, and other Fiscal measures affect the equilibrium?  Why is fiscal policy inflexible?

chapter 14 Role of the Fed

Supply and demand for money. Consuelo’s balance sheet. How does the fed control the interest rate? History of the fed funds rate 1970-2005. Discount window lending. Effects on the economy.  Explain how the fed fights inflation and a recession, suing the K-cross.  What is the fed’s policy reaction function (what are its terms, what does the equation say, what does the graph look like, what are the axes?)   We did not discuss the Taylor Rule.

Chapter 15 AS-AD theory

Why do we need it? The AD curve. What happens when the fed chooses a new reaction function? (fig 15.4) What is movement along the AD curve mechanism? What can cause a shift in the AD curve?  What happens then? Why is there inflation inertia? How does the output gap relate to inflation? Draw and reason with SRAS and LRAS curves.  What are inflation shocks? What can cause shocks to output? Show the effects on an AS-AD diagram.  Fiscal policies, and their effects on the supply side as well as the demand side.  Why do Americans work longer hours than europeans?

I hope this covers it. You have the assignments to work on through ch 15 and Iwill make sure the answers are there.  Good studying!

WASC Annual Meeting

This is the conference i am attending April 18.

The 2007 WASC Annual Meeting