Home Office

Phone: (858) 484-5304

FAX: (858) 484-5304

E-Mail: agin@san.rr.com

USD Office

Olin Hall 218

Office Hours:

- MW 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Phone: (619) 260-4883

FAX: (619) 260-4891

E-Mail: agin@SanDiego.edu

Syllabus

| Description | Objectives | Grading | Academic Integrity | Text |

All commerce takes place in the broad context of the macro economy; hence an understanding of factors that influence the overall economy is essential for business managers. This course is designed to provide an introduction to business economics, including both micro and macroeconomic foundations. Topics to be covered include: fundamentals of demand and supply, the forces affecting the macro economy, monetary and fiscal policy, and international considerations. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to undertake supply and demand analysis to their own firm or industry; identify and analyze international trade conditions and opportunities; make accurate assessments of the current state of the macro economy; and anticipate the impacts of relevant policy initiatives by Congress and the Federal Reserve System.

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

• perform supply and demand analysis to analyze the impact of economic events on markets,

• compute different measures of macroeconomic activity, and evaluate the shortcomings of traditional economic measures,

• analyze the forces that affect the aggregate level of economic activity and the business cycle,

• recognize how monetary and fiscal policy can be used to achieve policy goals,

• evaluate the determinants of international trade and financial flows, and

• identify the social consequences of national and international economic activity.

Grades in this class will be based on the examinations (60%) and assignments (40%):

• There will be a quiz (worth 15% of your grade) and a final (worth 45%).  Each exam will have problem, short answer, and essay questions.  Make-up exams will be given only if you have a written excuse.

• Assignments include the following:

- Homework assignments (15%)

- Case analysis (10%)

- Team analysis of the macro economy of the United States or another country  (15%)

Grades will be assigned based on the total points earned during the term, according to the following schedule:

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Ethical behavior is expected at all times. From the Graduate Bulletin: "Academic dishonesty is an affront to the integrity of scholarship at USD an a threat to the quality of learning. . . Violations of academic integrity include: a) unauthorized assistance on an examination; b) falsification or invention of data; c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise; d) plagiarism; e) misappropriation of research materials; f) any unauthorized access to an instructor's files or computer account; or g) any other serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor. An act of dishonesty can lead to penalties in a course such as reduction of grade; withdrawal from the course; a requirement that all or part of a course be retaken; and a requirement that additional work be undertaken in connection with the course."

John E. Marthinsen.  Managing in a Global Economy, Thomson South-Western, 2008. Peter Navarro.  "The Well-Timed Strategy:  Managing the Business Cycle."  California Management Review, Fall 2005, Vol. 1, No. 1.