"All theory depends on assumptions which are not quite true.  That is what makes it theory."
-- Robert Solow

This course deals with macroeconomic aggregates, in particular the measurement and determinants of the level of economic activity, including long-run economic growth and short-run economic fluctuations. We will try to understand where economists tend to agree and to disagree.  Economic policy analysis and current issues will also come into play, and we will regularly read The Wall Street Journal and other serials for news and commentary.  Since this course is an upper-level expository writing class, written assignments will be a prominent part of the final grades.

Our final exam will be Thurs., May 13, from 8-10 a.m.

Quizzes #1-5, and solutions
Quizzes #6-10, and solutions

Click here for the link to that Brad DeLong column, "Deficit Coverage: What's Missing," that was to be read for Feb. 12.

Possibly helpful sources of editorials, op-eds, and columns for your short-paper assignments (more to come):

• The Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal (also has a link to the online version of the rest of the Journal)
• The New York Times editorial page, especially Paul Krugman's twice-weekly columns (You will need to sign up to access the Times online; fortunately, doing so is easy and free.)
  
• The Unofficial Paul Krugman Web Page
• Brad DeLong's Semi-Daily Journal
  

Old lecture notes (Spring 2003) on E-Reserves at Penfield Library:

• My lecture notes from Week 6 (Feb. 25-27, 2003), Week 9 (March 18-20), and Weeks 10-15 (April 1- May 8) are available through E-Reserves.  To access them, follow these steps.
1. Click the E-Reserves link right here
2. Click "Reserves and Course Materials"
3. On the pull-down "Select an Instructor" menu, find Dighe and click "Go"
4. Click one of the links on the line that includes "Intermediate Macro Theory"
5. Click "Accept"
6. Choose the particular week's lectures that you want (e.g., "Lectures 9A & 9B" are for week 9)
7. Enter password (eco300r)
8. (Note:  To be able to read these notes, your computer will need to have the Adobe Acrobat reader installed.  If you don't have it, you can install it for free and will probably be directed to the Adobe download site.  Alternatively, you can go to Penfield's circulation desk and ask to see the print version of these notes.)
• My lecture notes from other weeks were distributed in class.

• Quizzes 1-4 (Jan. 30- Feb. 27, 2003)
• Answers to quizzes 1-4
• Quizzes 5-9 (March 20 - May 8, 2003)
• Answers to quizzes 5-9

Week 1 lectures (Jan. 24-28, 2000)
Week 2 lectures (Jan. 31-Feb. 4)
Week 3 lectures (Feb. 7-11)
Week 4 lectures, including makeup lecture on U.S. economic institutions (Feb. 14-18)
Week 5 lectures (Feb. 21-25)
Week 6 lectures (makeup lecture plus March 3 lecture)
Week 7 lectures (March 6-10)
Week 8 lectures (March 13-17)
Week 9 lectures (March 27-31)
Week 10 lectures (April 3-7)
Week 11 lectures (April 10-14)
Week 12 lectures (April 17 & 21)
Week "12A" lecture:  makeup lecture on fiscal policy (posted April 25)
Week 13 lectures (April 24-28)
Week 14 lectures (May 3 & 5)

SOME HELPFUL LINKS:

• U.S. Monetary Policy 101, courtesy of the San Francisco Fed
• The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is an interesting alternative to GDP
• How to do really well in college (some great advice from Prof. Norm Weiner)
• Federal Reserve Economic Database (FRED), at the St. Louis Fed
• OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development) database