ECON 304, Fall 2026
Economic fluctuations, inflation, growth, and policy — built up from the IS-LM model through the medium run and long run, with a look at where the standard framework is contested.
Section 004, 3 credits
TTh 9:30–10:45 AM
NATRS 115
TTh 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Social Sciences Hall C-3916B
Sean Callahan
sean.callahan@colostate.edu
Blanchard, Macroeconomics, 9th edition
This course builds on principles of macroeconomics to develop a deeper comprehension of the theoretical foundations of the field, and to apply those models to real-world analysis. Current events come up throughout, and you will apply the semester's concepts to the policy questions around them.
Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 204) and Calculus (MATH 141, MATH 155, or MATH 160).
| Week | Date | Topic | Reading | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short run | ||||
| 1 | 8/24 | Math review and the goods market | 1–3, R1; MGWK 1.6 | |
| 2 | 8/31 | Financial markets | 4 | PS1 |
| 3 | 9/7 | The IS-LM model | 5, R2 | |
| 4 | 9/14 | The IS-LM model extended | 6, R3 | PS2; GFC documentary |
| Medium run | ||||
| 5 | 9/21 | The labor market | 7; MGWK 8–9 | |
| 6 | 9/28 | The Phillips curve, the natural rate, and inflation | 8, R4; MGWK 10 | |
| 7 | 10/5 | The IS-LM-PC model | 9, R5; MGWK 11 | PS3 |
| Long run | ||||
| 8 | 10/12 | The facts of growth | 10 | Midterm |
| 9 | 10/19 | Saving, capital accumulation, and output | 11 | |
| 10 | 10/26 | Technological progress and growth | 12, R6 | PS4 |
| 11 | 11/2 | The challenges of growth | 13, R7 | |
| Data | ||||
| 12 | 11/9 | Data exercise | PS5 | |
| Alternative theories | ||||
| 13 | 11/16 | Heterodox economics: an introduction | TBD | |
| 11/23 | Thanksgiving, no class | |||
| 14 | 11/30 | Heterodox economics: modeling | TBD | PS6 |
| Final weeks | ||||
| 15 | 12/7 | Review and discussion | 22–23 | |
| 16 | 12/14 | Final exam week | Final exam, time TBD | |
The schedule is tentative. Check Canvas for updates.
Midterm covering the short and medium run, plus a cumulative final.
Six sets across the semester.
In-class analysis and discussion.
Problem set load may be adjusted — sets may be split or dropped, but the total will not increase.
A+
Above 96.67
A
93–97
A−
90–93
B+
86–90
B
83–86
B−
80–83
C+
76–80
C
70–76
D
60–70
F
Below 60
The goods market and financial markets.
Due week 2, August 31
The IS-LM model and its extensions.
Due week 4, September 14
The labor market, the Phillips curve, and the IS-LM-PC model.
Due week 7, October 5
Saving, capital accumulation, and technological progress in the Solow model.
Due week 10, October 26
Data exercise: working with macroeconomic time series.
Due week 12, November 9
Heterodox modeling and alternative theoretical approaches.
Due week 14, November 30
Blanchard, Olivier. Macroeconomics, 9th edition. Day-One Access or a static copy is your decision. Earlier editions differ in page numbers and chapter organization.
Assignments, slides, readings, grades, and announcements all live on Canvas, including the supplementary readings marked R1, R2, R3 in the schedule. Turn on Canvas notifications so you do not miss announcements.
Open-access companion text used for several medium-run chapters.
eng.mgwk.de
Federal Reserve Economic Data, the main source for macroeconomic series and quick plots.
fred.stlouisfed.org
The Services Desk provides research support (970-491-1841) and technical support (970-491-7276). You can also contact a librarian or find a research guide.
Additional syllabus information and campus resources for challenges you may run into during the semester.
col.st/2FA2g
Congressional Budget Office, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and IMF Data.
You are expected to attend every class and take part in discussion. Activities are in-class analysis of articles and current events, done in groups or alone. None of them appear on the schedule, so attending is the only way to complete them.
Late submissions receive a 10% penalty for each day late, unless we have arranged something in advance.
Make-up exams are not permitted except under extraordinary circumstances. Treat the exam dates as obligations.
As with the calculator and the personal computer, new technology should be integrated to complement learning rather than replace it. Using AI as a personal tutor is expected and encouraged, with the caveat that the technology has real limits. To protect academic integrity, more weight falls on closed-book exams, in-class participation, and an oral component.
Reach me through Canvas or email, with the course number in the subject line. I will do my best to respond within 36 to 48 hours. If you miss class, get in touch as soon as you can so we can catch you up.
The CSU Health Network does not provide excuse notes for missed classes, assignments, or tests. If you need accommodations, contact Student Disability Services as early in the semester as possible. I will do my best to be accommodating in an equitable way; life throws unexpected things at all of us.
Collaboration on problem sets is encouraged, but each student submits their own work. All exam work is independent.
We listen with the intent to understand other perspectives, ask questions when we have them, and make sure everyone is heard. When debating policies and theories, we address the merits of the argument rather than the qualities of the person making it.