PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
EC-590 Advanced Macroeconomics
Spring 2017
Instructor: Cesar M. Rodriguez
O¢ ce: Cramer Hall 241-M
Phone: 503-725-3943
E-mail:
[email protected]Course website: TBA
Class Time and Location: MW 4:40-6:30pm, Engineering Building 95.
O¢ ce Hours: MW 2:30-3:30pm, or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Dat Huynh (
[email protected])
TA’s O¢ ce Hours: T 2:00-5:00pm and F 9:00-12:00pm
Required Text: Stephen D. Williamson (SW), Macroeconomics. 5th edition. Pearson Addison Wesley
Recommended Text: David Romer (DR), Advanced Macroeconomics. 4th edition. McGraw-Hill
You can buy the Required Text at PSU Bookstore at http://www.portlandstatebookstore.com. Note that
previous editions are acceptable. However, keep in mind that the page numbers may not be the same. It is
your responsibility to check whether you are reading the right material in case you are using an older edition
of the book.
This course will assume all students are familiar with intermediate macroeconomics and mathematical meth-
ods commonly used in economics. If you need to review topics in intermediate macroeconomics, you can
use the book by Olivier Blanchard and David Johnson, Macroeconomics. 6th edition, or previous editions.If
you need to review topics in mathematical economics, you can use the book by Alpha Chiang, Fundamental
Methods of Mathematical Economics.
Course Description: In this course we will study macroeconomic theories by building macro models from
microeconomic principles. This approach is consistent with the way macroeconomic research is conducted
today. This class covers topics such as: measurement issues; output behavior in the short run; factors that
determine employment and unemployment; how the consumption-savings decision a¤ects the economy; the
e¤ects of having a budget de…cit; credit market imperfections; interest rates determination and e¤ects for
the economy; and the use of money. The objective of the class is to provide a rigorous overview of these
issues, with emphasis on recent scholarly work and policy debates.
Course Outline: The tentative schedule of topics to be covered in this class and the relevant chapters
in the book are presented in the table below. The class schedule and reading assignments shown below are
subject to change. The class proceeds under an assumption that you have read the assigned chapters and
attempted to understand the material before the class period.
Attendance: Attendance is not mandatory. However, you are responsible for everything that happens in
the class, including any changes made to this schedule. When attending a class, please be considerate to
others and turn o¤ your cell phone, or anything that makes a sound.
Grading: Your grade in this class will be based on your performance on the home assignments, the midterm
and the …nal exam. The contribution of each of those to your …nal grade is shown below:
Class participation 10%
Home assignments (3) 20%
Midterm (May 10) 35%
Final (Jun 12, 5:30-7:20pm) 35%.
Due Dates for Assignments: Apr 17, May 01 and May 24
All assignments must be submitted on time - on the due date in class (please see the course outline below).
No late assignments will be accepted. There will be no "extra credit" work/assignments.
A¢ rmative Action: Portland State University supports equal opportunity for all, regardless of age, color,
disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual or gender identity,
sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis in law.
Disability Resources at PSU: Students with accommodations approved through the Disability Resource
Center are responsible for contacting the faculty member prior to, or during, the …rst week of term to discuss
accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained
approval should contact the DRC immediately. PSU policies on accommodations can be found in the Dis-
ability Resource Center Handbook (http://www.ess.pdx.edu/iasc/drc/handbook.pdf).
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected and required of students enrolled in this course. Sus-
pected academic dishonesty in this course will be handled according to the procedures set out in the Student
Code of Conduct.
COURSE OUTLINE (Tentative)
Chapters Topics
Ch 1 SW Introduction
Ch 2 SW Measurement
Ch 3 SW Business Cycle Measurement
Ch 4 SW Consumer and Firm Behavior
Ch 5 SW One-Period Macroeconomic Model
Ch 9 SW Two-Period Model: The Consumption-Savings Decision
Ch 6 DR Search and Unemployment
MIDTERM May 04
Ch 10 DR A Cash-In Advance Model
Ch 9 DR Investment Models
Ch 12 SW Credit Market Imperfections
FINAL EXAM Jun 12 (CUMULATIVE)
