American Economy
BS 444 Spring 2011
Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-11:00
Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, when I am not teaching class
Brian Kennedy
bpk@econ.tu.ac.th
01-442-7426 (cell phone)

 

 

BS 366 The American Economy

“The course examines main aspects of American economic system such as corporate power, employment, labor relations, agriculture, the role of Federal government.”

Course objectives:  This course is designed to give a basic overview of the American Economy to non-economists.  The first half of the course will be devoted to a brief overview of economics as a field of study, and American economic history, followed by an overview of the American Government, and how the institutions of the government influence the economy.  This work will build upon material presented in BS 242 Foundations of American History and BS 364 American Government, though it will do so from a very different perspective.

The second part of the course will analyze the current American economic system, and the economy that has resulted from it.  The macro-economic variables; unemployment, inflation, budget and trade deficits, will all be covered.  This will be followed by a sectoral analysis of the economy; unionism, major industries, agriculture, regional variations, etc. will all be discussed.  Every effort will be made to relate the variables to other developed countries (such as Japan, Britain and the U.K.) as well as to Thailand; 

The final section of the course will be an economic analysis of various current topics in America today.  Some of the debates will be about specifically economic issues, such as social security (retirement) reform, the trade deficit, and monetary policy.  Others will use economic analysis to shed insight into current economic, social and cultural trends in the U.S., such as regional shifts in population, changing patterns of travel and leisure, and voting behavior.

A basic understanding of macro-economics is helpful but not required.  Likewise, a certain degree of familiarity with America in general, and the American Government in particular, are assumed.  Students who have not taken either BS 364 American Government, or BS 242 Foundations of American History may still take the course, but should understand that some additional work will probably be necessary.
BS 242 Foundations of American History, BS 364 American Government, EC 210 Introductory Economics, EC 300 History of Economic Thought, and EC 350 International Economics are all helpful courses.

Required Text:

The Economic Way of Thinking: 12th Edition, Heyne, Paul, Peter Boettke and David Prychitko

Other Helpful Texts:
Economics and Contemporary Issues:  Seventh Edition , Moomaw and Olson.

Principles of Economics (International Edition) third Edition
By N. Gregory Mankiw

American Economic History
By Hughes, Jonathan and Louis Cain

Additional books that Students may find helpful (all are available from me at the BAS Office) are as follows.  All are taken from other courses that students have taken, or will take.

Politics in America 6th Edition
By Dye, Thomas R.  (used in BS 364 American Government)

American History, the easy way, 2nd edition
By Kellogg, William O. (used in BS 242 Foundations of American History)

Other Readings:  Various other readings will be assigned.  They will be available from Joy at the copy center, or from the BAS office.

Grading:  The course grade will depend upon 2 exams, and seven or eight quizzes, given out throughout the course.  Grades are weighted as follows

Midterm Exam 40%
Final Exam  60 %

 

 

 

Last Modified; December 19, 2010