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363-0565-00L 3 Credits BSC , DS , DR , MSC , NDS D-USYS , D-MTEC , D-MAVT , D-MATH , D-CHAB , D-ARCH , D-BAUG , D-GESS
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Principles of Macroeconomics

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm
VVZ CR 3.6

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:00:34

Abstract

This course examines the behaviour of macroeconomic variables, such as gross domestic product, unemployment and inflation rates. It tries to answer questions like: How can we explain fluctuations of national economic activity? What can economic policy do against unemployment and inflation?

Objective

This lecture will introduce the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory and explain their relevance to every-day economic problems.

Content

This course helps you understand the world in which you live. There are many questions about the macroeconomy that might spark your curiosity. Why are living standards so meagre in many African countries? Why do some countries have high rates of inflation while others have stable prices? Why have some European countries adopted a common currency? These are just a few of the questions that this course will help you answer. Furthermore, this course will give you a better understanding of the potential and limits of economic policy. As a voter, you help choose the policies that guide the allocation of society's resources. When deciding which policies to support, you may find yourself asking various questions about economics. What are the burdens associated with alternative forms of taxation? What are the effects of free trade with other countries? How does the government budget deficit affect the economy? These and similar questions are always on the minds of policy makers.

Resources

Lecture Notes

The course webpage (to be found athttps://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/course/view.php?id=17628) contains announcements, course information and lecture slides.

Literature

The set-up of the course will closely follow the book of N. Gregory Mankiw and Mark P. Taylor (2020), Economics, Cengage Learning, Fifth Edition. This book can also be used for the course '363-0503-00L Principles of Microeconomics' (Filippini). Besides this textbook, the slides, lecture notes and problem sets will cover the content of the lecture and the exam questions.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , DS , DR , MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Mode
written 90 minutes
Aids
None

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Principles of Macroeconomics
The lecture takes place in presence and will be recorded.
  • Tue 16:15-18:00 (ETA F 5)
2 h weekly

Offered In