Macroeconomics introduces students to mainstream macroeconomic theory in addition to alternative and critical perspectives. What constitutes “the economy”? How is capitalist growth measured and defined? How does the Federal Reserve system work? What drives inflation? Is debt bad for economic growth? How do we understand the causes of economic crises, like that of the 2008 Financial Crisis and the present state of the post-2020 economy? How do we understand the macroeconomic impacts of global climate change? These are all crucial economic questions of our times.
By studying mainstream macroeconomic theory, we will gain an understanding of basic concepts, definitions, and analytical tools for examining the macroeconomy. We will also examine alternative perspectives to understanding the economy including original Keynesian and post-Keynesian economic theory, Feminist political Economy, ecological, and Marxist perspectives that offer an alternative point of view on economic growth and crisis.
Students will need a computer and internet connection for synchronous Zoom meetings, lectures, activities, and discussions. Students will learn from our main textbook
Macroeconomics in Context .
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
4 - Economics: Macroeconomics