Graduate Macroeconomic Theory (Eco 521, 621, 603)

Learning Objectives: Graduate Macroeconomic Theory (Eco 521, 621, 603)

Growth Theory. Students will learn various models that explain how countries grow, both in the short and long run.
Monetary and Fiscal Policy. Students will learn various models that explain the effects of fiscal policies (taxes) and monetary policies (interest rates) on the macroeconomy.
Mathematical tools. Students will learn the mathematical tools necessary to analyze modern macroeconomic models.

Quantitative Skills. The course takes a mathematical approach to analyzing the macroeconomy. Students will enhance their existing quantitative skills and learn new quantative skills necessary for analyzing the mathematical models used in the class.
Problem Solving Skills. Students will learn to apply the mathematical and economic tools they have learned to new research problems, aiding in their ability to do research and develop a dissertation.
Self-Motivation Skills. Students will learn to work without specific deadlines in order to develop self-motivation skills needed for their dissertation work.

Growth Theory. Outcomes are assessed using several homeworks and two exams.
Monetary and Fiscal Policy. Outcomes are assessed using several homeworks and two exams.
Mathematical Tools. Outcomes are assessed using several homeworks and two exams.

Quantitative Skills. All homeworks and exams are quantitative in nature. Exams are open notes, so that students do not have to memorize formulas, but instead have to do the mathematical programming and derive new formulas.
Problem Solving Skills. All homeworks and exams are problems. No multiple choice (or similar) questions are assigned.
Self-Motivation Skills. Long deadlines are typically given for problems and assignments. Many of these assignments also take weeks to complete. Thus students must learn to manage their time and complete parts well in advance, since these problems cannot be completed, say, the week before the end of the semester.