Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Principles of Macroeconomics (Online)

ECON 2020-34I

Course: ECON 2020-34I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ECON
CRN: 10347

Course Description

This course introduces students to the core ideas and tools economists use to understand the performance of the overall economy. We examine how economists and policymakers measure economic activity and analyze the forces that shape long-run economic growth, inflation, unemployment, and business cycles. The course also explores the roles of fiscal and monetary policy and the channels through which these policies influence economic outcomes. By the end of the course, students will be better equipped to understand current macroeconomic issues and policy debates.

Required Texts

We will use the following book throughout the semester:
  • Textbook: Modern Principles: Macroeconomics, by Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok, 6th edition.
  • Supplemental Material: Achieve for Modern Principles: Macroeconomics, 6th edition (required).
This course utilizes the Inclusive Access program, which provides instant digital access to the required Achieve software through Canvas on the first day of class. This software is the only material you will need for the course, and the cost is included as a fee on your student account. If you choose not to use Inclusive Access, you must opt out by the add/drop deadline to receive a refund and obtain the materials on your own. For more information, see https://store.suu.edu/inclusive-access-info or contact the bookstore directly at bookstore@suu.edu.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain how economists measure and evaluate overall economic performance using key macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment.
  • Analyze the factors that contribute to long-run economic growth and the causes of short-run economic fluctuations, including recessions and expansions.
  • Apply core macroeconomic models and concepts to interpret real-world economic events and current policy debates.
  • Evaluate the roles of fiscal and monetary policy in influencing inflation, employment, and economic stability, including potential tradeoffs and limitations.
  • Compare alternative policy approaches and institutional arrangements to assess their economic consequences for different groups and for the economy as a whole.

Course Requirements

Exams (50%)
  • There will be 4 required exams and an optional cumulative final exam, each weighted equally in their contribution to your final grade. The exams will be multiple choice and will be taken online in Canvas using Honorlock. The exams are open-note, open-book. In addition to your notes and book, feel free to use a calculator, scratch paper, a writing utensil, or any other resource that you yourself have created. That said, It must be YOU taking the exam, and only you (no help from anybody else). You will have two attempts on each exam, and your score will be the average of your two attempts (or if you decide not to retake it, whatever you got on your first attempt). On your second attempt, you will be able to see which questions you missed on your first attempt. More information will be provided in Canvas about each exam at least 3 days before an exam opens. Note: The final exam is optional. Thus, if you decide to take the final exam, your grade could improve, remain unchanged, or be harmed depending on your performance.

Achieve Problem Sets (30%)
  • Problem sets will be given for each chapter that we cover. They will be designed to help you better understand the material and prepare you for exams. You will have an unlimited number of attempts per question, but you will lose 10 percentage points on a question for each attempt. Each Problem Set will be done and automatically graded in Achieve. Specific due dates will be provided in Canvas and in Achieve.

Learning Curve Assignments (10%)
  • Learning Curve assignments will be done through Achieve. You'll have an assignment for each chapter we cover (with the exception of the first chapter). These assignments are not intended to be difficult or time consuming, but are designed for you to familiarize yourself with each chapter and to prepare you to understand the recorded lectures better. Ideally, you will complete these assignments after or while you read the chapters and prior to watching the recorded lectures for each of the respective chapters. There is no partial credit for these assignments. If you complete them, you will get 100% on them, if you don't do them or only partially complete them, you'll get a 0% on them. Specific due dates will be provided in Canvas and in Achieve.

Discussions (10%)
  • Effective online courses build an online community. To facilitate this, you will participate in 7 online class discussions in this course (one for each module), each designed to help you think about how you can apply the topics covered in a module to your own life or the "real world." Specific instructions are given in Canvas, but for each discussion, you will be required to answer a question, or questions, and respond to the answers of some of your classmates. Participation in Discussions for each module will be done, and specific due dates will be provided, in Canvas.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Economics and the Power of Trade (Covers Chapters 1 and 2)
Module 2: Supply and Demand (Covers Chapters 3 and 4)
Module 3: Economic Growth Part 1 (Covers Chapters 6 and 7)
Module 4: Economic Growth Part 2 (Covers Chapter 8)
Module 5: Business Fluctuations (Covers Chapters 11, 12, and 13)
Module 6: The Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy (Covers Chapters 15 and 16)
Module 7: The Federal Budget and Fiscal Policy (Covers Chapters 17 and 18)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will not be accepted without prior approval from the instructor. It is at the instructor's discretion if the work will be accepted late. Make up work will not be permitted or provided.

Attendance Policy

An online course requires you to be an active participant within the content. This means you should log into the course multiple days within a week, check announcements, and participate in graded and ungraded discussions.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.