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Econ201 - Macroeconomics - Peter de Luca

Course:Macroeconomics
Professor:Peter de Luca
Email:peter.deluca@Canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
Course Length:
  • 12 Week

Introduction

Professor de Luca

I graduated Cum Laude from Columbia University in New York City with a B.A. degree in Economics. I was the recipient of the Matthew M. Fryde Scholarship Award at Columbia.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude  from Keller Graduate School of Management with an M.B.A degree. 

I have been teaching at the college level for 43 years. I have taught economics at DeVry University, at many colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District, and at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. I used to teach computer science courses at DeVry University.

I teach economics mostly at Pierce Community College in Woodland Hills. I have been teaching there for 12 years. 

Since 2008, I have taught over 600 online classes for DeVry, Pierce and Corinthean College.

In 2009, I was chosen as “Online instructor of the year” at Corinthean Colleges.

In 2011, I coached the Woodland Hills Taft High School Academic Decathlon team in economics, and the team finished third in the state.

Course Description

ECON 201 introduces the concepts and tools of macroeconomic analysis, especially as they apply to US economy.  Emphasis is placed on the broad overall performance of our economic system with concentration in areas such as national income determination, employment, and inflation.  ECON 201 develops a logical analysis of business fluctuations in the economy and introduces 20th century governmental fiscal possible solutions and monetary policies solutions to them. The course will also include 19th century macroeconomic solutions as well. History tells us what works and what does not work to create a successful economy. It is important that the course include different schools of thought on how to solve economic problems.

What to Expect in this Course

Communication with me: 

I usually respond to your email questions quickly sometimes within a matter of minutes. It all depends on if I am at my computer. If you need a deeper explanation on some of the topics in the course, we can arrange a phone session.  I am also able to set up Zoom sessions to help one or more students with the material during my office hour or at a time convenient for all of us. 

Course Structure:

I made my own video lectures for each of the chapters covered in the course and they are embedded in the course in Canvas. My video lectures discuss the material in the textbook and also cover material that is not in the textbook. I provide a recording menu list for each of my video lectures that displays each subtopic and its minute and second location in the recording for easy and quick access. My quizzes are based on the material in the Stephen Slavin textbook and from my video lectures.

Here is a sample of my video lectures. This lecture is on Aggregate Supply and Demand.  

  Link to my video lecture: Aggregate Supply and Demand      

 

Each chapter covered in the course will have a chapter PowerPoint presentation, my own chapter video lecture that is closed captioned, the chapter workbook from the textbook, the solutions to the chapter workbook, a chapter Practice Quiz (worth points), and a chapter Testing Quiz.

 

Practice Quizzes: 

Each chapter covered in this course has a chapter “practice quiz.” You can do the chapter practice quiz as many times as you wish. They are all open book and open notes. They are not worth any points but the practice quizzes are strongly correlated with the Testing quizzes which are for points. The more you do the practice quizzes, the better you will do in the course. 

Each chapter practice quiz will prepare you for the chapter “testing quiz” and the midterm and final exams. I provide my own mini-lecture feedback comments for the multiple choice questions in the practice quizzes. The key to doing well in this course is to do the practice quizzes earnestly. That means NOT rushing through them. Take your time with them.

 

Testing Quizzes: 

There is a “Testing quizfor each chapter. Each is open book and open notes. But there are time limits and closing dates that you must keep track of. Except for the first quiz on supply and demand, you can only take a Testing Quiz once. 

The chapter testing quizzes will be proctored by Proctorio. Proctorio is a software product that will record you taking your testing quizzes. You will need a web camera on your computer. If you don’t have a web camera, you can buy one for $20 at Best Buy.

I only use Proctorio to make sure that it is you that is taking your exam. The Testing Quizzes will prepare you for your midterm and final exams.

 

Midterm Exam: 

The midterm exam will cover chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9. It will be a closed book test. It will be proctored by Proctorio. But I will provide a formula sheet for you and a study guide. It will be given in two parts at two different times. The first part will cover chapters 4, 5, & 6. The second part will cover chapters 7 & 9.  Giving it in two parts makes it easier for you to study for the midterm.

If your midterm exam score is higher than a quiz score that the midterm exam covered, I will then replace your chapter Testing Quiz score with your midterm exam score. But there are exceptions. The syllabus will explain this policy in more detail once you are in the course.

 

Final Exam: 

The final exam will cover chapters 13, 14, 10, & 12 

It will be given in two parts at two different times. Final Part 1 will cover chapters 13, 14, and chapter 10 and Final Part 2 will cover chapter 10, & 12. Giving it in two parts on two different dates will give you more breathing room to study. It will also cover material that is not in the book that I have provided with documents I have written and discussed in my video lectures.

The final will be a closed book test. But I will provide a formula sheet for you and a study guide. It will be proctored by Proctorio.

If your final exam score is higher than your chapter Testing Quiz score that the final exam covered, I will then replace your Testing Quiz score with your final exam score. But there are exceptions. The syllabus will explain this policy in more detail once you are in the course.

Textbook Information

Some of the material I provide in the course that you will be responsible for in your chapter quizzes and midterm and final exams will be outside of the book. I will send you that material and let you know what I will require you to know. Most of that material will be presented to you later in the course after the midterm.

Other Relevant Course Information

No


Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

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The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

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Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 02/22/2024 Sub#: 60