Faculty Syllabus
ECON-2301 Principles of Macroeconomics
Nicholas Jenkins
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
ECON-2301-029 (16168)
LEC MW 9:39am - 11:09am GHS GHS1 859
ECON-2301-047 (28665)
LEC MW 11:16am - 12:49pm GHS GHS1 859
ECON-2301-053 (28668)
LEC TuTh 2:50pm - 4:20pm MCN MN1 A106
Course Subjects
This course is meant to give students insight into the dynamics of our national economy. The knowledge gained in the course will make students better informed citizens and allow them to follow the debates over national economic policy reported in the news media. This course is also a foundation course that will prepare students to be successful in upper division finance, marketing, business administration, economics, government, and social work courses.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Course Objectives:
- Develop a wider understanding of the economic world in which we live, the forces operating on it, how they fit together, and how changes affect the economic environment in which you make decisions.
- Develop graphical skills in presenting information graphically and utilizing graphs in analytical thinking.
- Develop analytical and reasoning skills, including the ability to make missing connections, and come up with logical conclusions.
Course Outcomes:
- Critically evaluate GDP, unemployment, and inflation data.
- Explain the business cycle and its phases.
- Describe how a fractional reserve banking system works.
- Manipulate the basic Aggregate Supply, Aggregate Demand model of the macro economy.
- Explain fiscal policy tools and defend and criticize the usage of fiscal policy.
- Explain monetary policy tools and defend and criticize the usage of monetary policy.
Discipline Program Student Learning Outcomes:
- Model and explain under what circumstances markets are capable of creating socially optimal and socially suboptimal outcomes.
- Defend and criticize the role of economic policy in a mixed market economy.
- Critically evaluate economic data.
General Education Competencies in this course:
- Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness) - Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
- Critical Thinking Skills - Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Apply mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
- Communication Skills - Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral, and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
Readings
Textbook: Foundations of Macroeconomics 9e Bade/Parkin and MyLabEcon
Previous Editions: In order to complete the assigned work, you must use the e-textbook and MyLabEcon resources. There are assigned readings from this textbook (and the textbook can also serve as a reinforcement for content introduced in lecture). The assignments are done through the Pearson website in MyLabEcon.
Supplementary Readings: Will be assigned on Blackboard.
This is a First Day Access section. A digital materials fee is automatically added to your tuition and fees when you register — even if you are receiving free tuition. You may opt out of this fee and receive a refund if you choose to purchase the course materials separately. Opt-out requests must be submitted before the official reporting date to receive a full refund. For full details, visit: www.austincc.edu/firstday
How This Class Works
This course has both in-classroom (in-person) and outside classroom (online, self-directed) activities that include lectures, handouts and online videos, homework, written projects, quizzes, exams.
In-person activities include:
- Explaining and practicing difficult concepts
- Expanding on the textbook to include newer and more advanced information
- Getting an overview of major concepts, minor points, and how they fit together
- Group discussions
- Asking and answering questions
- Quizzes, Class Exercises, and Exams
Online coursework includes:
- Reading assignments in Blackboard and the Pearson e-textbook
- YouTube videos
- Quizzes, class exercises, practice problems, and graphing exercises
- Assignments in Blackboard and MyLabEcon
Course Requirements
Must meet ACC proficiency requirements in Reading, Writing and Math (see the course catalog or an advisor).
COURSE EVALUATION AND GRADING POLICY
|
Assessment |
# of Items |
Weighted Average |
Points |
|
Pre-Course Assignments* |
3 |
0% |
0 |
|
Graded Assignments |
|
||
|
10 |
18% |
180 |
|
10 |
13.5% |
135 |
|
3 |
13.5% |
135 |
|
10 |
5% |
50 |
|
|
|
50% |
500 |
|
Exams |
|
||
|
1 |
15% |
150 |
|
1 |
15% |
150 |
|
1 |
20% |
200 |
|
|
|
50% |
500 |
|
|
|
100% |
1000 |
* Pre-Course assignments eligible for Bonus Points if completed by due date.
Grading Scale
Based on the weighted average calculation of all assessments, semester letter grades will be assigned as follows:
|
Letter Grade |
Lower Bound |
Upper Bound |
||
|
A |
90.00% |
900 points |
100.00% |
1000 points |
|
B |
80.00% |
800 points |
89.99% |
899 points |
|
C |
70.00% |
700 points |
79.99% |
799 points |
|
D |
60.00% |
600 points |
69.99% |
699 points |
|
F |
< 60% |
< 600 points |
|
|
Office Hours
M T W Th F 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Virtual (Zoom or Google Meet)
NOTE The best and fastest way to reach me is by email. I'll get back to you within 24 hours on weekdays. If you email me on a weekend or a holiday, I'll reply on the next business day. When you email me, please remember to include your section number in the subject line to help me reply faster.Published: 01/07/2026 20:12:17