EC114 Principles of Macroeconomics 2015
Tutor Meeting
J. James Reade
08/01/2015
Introduction
Chance to meet, get to know each other better.
Introductions?
Opportunity for me to briefly talk through plans for course.
Opportunity for me to impart profound wisdom on teaching classes.
Course Outline
Each week:
Tuesday Classes: 10–11, 11–12, 12–13, 14–15, 15–16.
Palmer G02/G03 and Maths 100.
Apparently slight class rejiggings from last term.
Thursday: Extra lecture, 2–3pm. URS LLT.
Friday: Core lecture, 9–11am. URS LLT.
Curriculum
Week 1: Chapters 1–3: What is Macro, National Accounts, the ``Supply Side’’.
Week 2: Chapters 4–5: Growth
Week 3: Chapter 7: Unemployment.
Week 4: Chapters 8–9: Trade and Globalisation.
Week 5: Chapter 10: Consumption and Investment.
Week 7: Chapter 11: Business Cycles.
Week 8: Chapters 12–14: Money, Prices and Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy and Government.
Week 9: Chapters 17–18: Banking, Debt and (Sovereign) Default.
Week 10: Chapters 19–21: Exchange Rates.
Week 11: Revision session (Th), Class test, 45 minutes, Madejski.
Important Dates
In-term assessment (essay) deadline: TBC (pseudo-joint with quants)
End-of-term test: Friday March 27
Final exam: Likely May 11 or 12.
Course Delivery
Fundamentally via lectures:
Core lectures to deliver material.
Extra sessions to provide applications and context.
Classes to encourage student engagement.
Increasingly via social media:
I
tweet
too much for my own good.
Tumblr
apparently is now where young things are at?
Feedback: I anticipate weekly surveys for students via
Google Forms
:
I will ask students for which class they are in not to victimise you.
Core Sessions
Purpose is introduction for further study in Parts 2–3.
Covering content in syllabus.
Primarily graph/plot/table focussed.
Quantity of material to cover means absence of interaction.
Extra Sessions
Always on Thursday to encourage Friday attendance.
Trying to `spice’ things up a little.
Last year I gave all sessions, incl. benefits st. etc.
This year I am attempting to get guest lecturers to speak:
John Redwood (confirmed)
As yet unconfirmed Labour MP (any ideas?)
Joe Grice (chief economist at ONS)
Someone from Bank of England
Classes
What in
your
opinion is ideal format for work set for students?
Last year:
Week 3
,
4
,
5
,
6
,
7
,
8
,
9
,
10
.
Plan/Ideas: (based on
feedback
)
Debate sessions?
Short discussion-type questions?
Data-based exercises?
Class `Tips’
Be enthusiastic!!!!
Be interactive:
Get to know students (as much as possible)
Ask questions…
… if possible, in `friendly’ way!
Prepare some in advance, with follow ups.
Follow up can simply be `why?’ (with a smile)
Don’t be afraid of silence.
Promoting Best Practice
Class observation: Sarah Jewell will observe you during term.
Within-groups observation: Can you observe each other once?
Weekly meeting:
15–30 minutes, tops (we’re all busy).
Information sharing, questions.
Commitment device for me with notes/solutions etc.