Eric Doviak  Doviak.net 
Economics and Public Policy Analysis
 
Working Papers:
 
Income Inequality
 
Health Insurance
 
Ridge Regression
  
 
For Students:
 
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INTRO
 
intro lecture notes
 
MICRO
 
micro lecture notes
 
MACRO
 
macro lecture notes
 
 
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email me
  
Macro 201 at BMCC
Mon. 7:20-9:00 in N404 and Wed. 7:20-8:10/8:20-9:10 in S755 
 
Message Board 
 
Thank You!
(Thurs. 27 May 2010 at 22.25)
  
Students,
 
As I mentioned on the email list this morning, I was quite pleased with the group's performance on the final exam. Everyone exhibited a basic understanding of the main concepts and the overwhelming majority did exceptionally well.
 
I posted the grades this evening. If any of you would like to review your exam with me, please send me a private email and we'll schedule a meeting for next week.
 
Most importantly ... Thank you for your patience. Thank you for asking good questions. Thank you for keeping the class lively and interesting. Thank you for a wonderful semester.
 
I enjoyed working with all of you and I wish you the very best of luck.
 
Regards,
- Eric Doviak
   
...
 
message board with all old messages -- click HERE 
 
  
Links and Files
 
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Objectives of this Course
 
This course has two sets of objectives: practical and academic. The practical objectives aim to teach you how to apply mathematics and economics in daily life. The academic objectives (which are listed with the class schedule) aim to teach you basic macroeconomics. 
 
The practical objectives consist of: 
  • enabling you to interpret graphs and equations, both mathematically and intuitively,
  • developing your logical thinking skills,
  • teaching you how independent variables affect dependent variables and
  • helping you apply the concept of opportunity cost, marginalism and efficient markets in everyday life.
 
Knowledge of algebra is a prerequisite. I will conduct a review of basic algebra, but it's meant to be a review, not an opportunity to learn it for the first time. If you are unable to grasp the concepts I cover during the math review, I will advise you to drop the course -- not because I'm cruel, but rather because I don't want you to suffer for four months and fail.  
     Course Requirements
     
    Your final grade will be determined by a weighted average of a mid-term exam (35 percent), a final exam (45 percent) and the quality of your class participation (20 percent). 

    The exams will consist of a section of identifications -- in which you will write brief definitions and describe the relevance of key concepts, theories, etc. -- and a section of essays. 

    Homework will be assigned and the solutions will be reviewed in class, but I will not collect them and I will not grade them. If you read the Lecture Notes and the textbook do the homework regularly, you will develop a good understanding of the course material and you will score higher on the exams. If you only read the Lecture Notes and do the homework the night before the exam, don't expect to pass. 

    Finally, in evaluating the quality of your class participation, I will consider: 

    1. your attitude towards the course material,
    2. how well you demonstrate an understanding of the required readings and homework assignments and
    3. how often you ask intelligent questions in class. 

    Saying "I don't understand" and explaining what you don't understand and why you don't understand it is one of the most intelligent things you can do. It demonstrates curiosity and interest in the course material. By contrast, sitting in silence when you don't understand is one of the dumbest things you can do.