School of Business and Economics

MBA Program

Course Name:
Economic Conditions Analysis
Course Code
BUS-530 (Section 5)
& Section No:
Semester: Summer 2023

INSTRUCTOR AND DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

 Instructor Dr. Nasiruddin Ahmed

Name:
 Office NAC 1132 or MBA Office
Location
 Office Hours: Saturday 5 pm – 7 pm
 Office Phone: +8801715036603
 Email nasir.ahmed02@northsouth.edu
Address:
 Department: MBA and EMBA

 Links: Course materials will be uploaded in the Canvas.

 Emergency: +8801715042030

COURSE INFORMATION

Class Time and Saturday 7.00 pm-9:30 pm (Section-5) NAC 503

Location
Course This course is based on the foundation laid in Managerial Economics. Basic
Prerequisite(s) understanding of Mathematics is preferred.
Course Credit 3:0
Hours
Course Economic Conditions Analysis is an intermediate level theoretical and
Description applied macroeconomics course. Business decisions heavily depend on the
changes in the macroeconomic factors such as national income, economic
growth, inflation rate, employment rate, monetary policy, fiscal policy, etc.
Thus, as a future manager, it is important for MBA students to understand
how these factors behave and are inter-linked to each other. Public policy
changes such as revision of monetary policy and fiscal policy impact are
vital for business development. The unit thus places strong emphasis on
developing theoretical and analytical skills as a means of encouraging
rigorous and logical thinking about real-world macroeconomic issues.

Course Throughout this unit, a framework is developed by which the behavior of

Objectives the overall economy (both internal and external) can be examined. Topics
covered include national income accounting, economic growth, employment
and inflation analysis, aggregate demand and supply response, monetary
and fiscal policies, international trade policies, and exchange rate policies.
Student On successful completion of this course, a student will achieve the following
Learning learning outcomes:
Outcomes 1. The ability to evaluate economic performances through GDP, GNP,
etc.
2. The ability to understand monetary policy and fiscal policy for
business decision making process
3. To understand the basics of international trade and exchange rate
policies
4. The ability to describe the role of government in the economy.

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOK

Textbook

Edition and
Author Publisher ISBN
Title Year
Mankiw, Gregory N Macroeconomics 9th Edition, Worth 13:978-1-
2016 Publishers 4641-8289-1

Others (Reference Books, CD ROMS, DVDs, e-Library, Internet, Articles, …)

Resource Type Description Type Comments

Book Macroeconomics by Academic book Chapters 6, 10 and 13

Michael Parkin (10th
Ed.), Addison-
Wesley (2012)

Principles of Academic book Chapter 26

Economics by N.
Gregory Mankiw
(8th Edition),
Cengage Learning
(2018)
Academic These will help students to
Case studies Case studies on articles/Handouts understand real world
Bangladesh economic problems.

TEACHING STRATEGY (Online, classroom, blended,

self-directed through CD and web-based courses)

The classes will be conducted through various activities including presentation of concepts and
issues relevant to macroeconomics, discussion and exchanges of ideas related to real world
economic issues, student initiative and active involvement, case studies on economic
conditions in Bangladesh, and written assignment. Students are expected to actively involve
and take initiative for their own learning experience.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADING SCHEME

Grading tool
Points (%)
Quizzes 20
Mid-term Examinations 30
Group Project and Presentation 15
Class Attendance and Participation 05
Final Examination 30
Total 100
Please refer to NSU Student Handbook, Section: “Grading Policy”

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CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. You may use your laptops in the class for class related work. Do not use your laptop for
non-class related work or in any manner that will be distracting to other students or the
instructor.

2. Use of cell phones in class is not permitted.

3. Students are advised to frequently refer to the Student Handbook of North South
University.

4. Academic Integrity Policy:

This unit provides 3 hours’ face-to-face teaching per week. Lectures will start punctually.
Students should arrive on time. Students may ask questions any time during the
lecture. It is disruptive and discourteous to arrive late or talk during lectures.

Attendance is must for everyone. Class attendance is only one part of university study. In
addition to class attendance, students will need to spend around three hours per week in
private study in order to perform well in this unit.

School of Business and Economics does not tolerate academic dishonesty by its
students. At minimum, students must not be involved in cheating, copyright infringement,
submitting the same work in multiple courses, significant collaboration with other individuals
outside the approved group activities, and fabrications.

Students are advised that violations of the Student Integrity Code will be treated seriously,
with special attention given to repeated offences.

Please refer to NSU Student Handbook, Sections: “Disciplinary Actions” and “Procedures and
Guidelines”.

GROUP PROJECT POLICY

Each group (maximum of 5 students) will submit a group report consisting of 3000 words, Times
New Roman, font size 12, and double spaced (hard copy and electronic copy). Each team will also
present the project for about 20 minutes. More details about the structure, components, time and
criteria for assessment of the project will be announced during the semester. Topics of the group
project will be provided later. Project presentation will be held on the last class of the semester.

EXAMS AND MAKE-UP POLICY

In order to complete the course, students must submit all the required assignments and sit for the
exams. Make-up exams are not given unless there is a major circumstance preventing the student
from sitting in the exam (official material evidence is required). The timing of the make-up is to be
fixed with the instructor of the course, if granted. There is NO provision of re-taking quiz in this
course.

Cell phones are prohibited in exam sessions.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend all classes and participate in class discussions. North South
University mandates to fail students who are absent 25% or more from their classes, even if such
absences are excusable. The one who will attend all the classes will earn full credit for the
attendance. Three consecutive missing classes will automatically drop you from the course.

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COMMUNICATION POLICY

All communications should take place using the instructor’s email. In addition, students can
communicate in the class or during the instructor’s office hours.

APPROPRIATE USE POLICY

All members of the North South University community must use electronic communications in a
responsible manner. The University may restrict the use of its computers and network systems for
electronic communications subject to violations of university policies/codes or local laws or national
laws. Also, the university reserves the right to limit access to its networks through university-owned
or other computers, and to remove or limit access to materials posted on university-owned
computers.

STUDENTS SUPPORT AND LEARNING RESOURCES

A. SOB-Learning Center:
B. The University Student Learning and Support Center (SLSC): These centers provide academic
support services to students at NSU. The SLSC is a supportive environment where students can
seek assistance with academic coursework, writing assignments, and other academic issues.
SLSC programs include: Peer Tutoring, Writing Lab, Writing Workshops, and Academic Success
Workshops. Students may also seek academic counseling from the professional staff at the
Center.

STUDENTS’ COMPLAINTS POLICY

Students of North South University have the right to pursue complaints related to faculty, staff, and
other students. The nature of the complaints may be either academic or non-academic. For more
information about the policy and processes related to this policy, you may refer to the student
handbook.

COURSE CONTENTS AND SCHEDULE

No Chapter/Assignment
Topic Week
1. Discussion on Course Outline 1
Introduction to Economic Conditions Analysis Mankiw
Chapters 1 and 2
2. National Income Accounting 2 Mankiw
Chapter 2
3. Saving, Investment, and the Financial System 3 Mankiw, Principles of Economics,
Chapter 26
4. Inflation: Causes, Effects and Social Costs 4 Mankiw
Chapter 5
5. Q & A Session 5 Mankiw
Chapters 2, 26 and 5
6. Mid-term examination 1 6 Mankiw
Chapters 2, 26 and 5

7. Economic Growth 7 Parkin

Chapter 6
8. Unemployment and the Labor Market 8 Mankiw, Principles of Economics
Chapter 28

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9. Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand 9 Parkin
Chapter 10
10. Q & A Session 10 Parkin
Chapters 6 and 10
Mankiw, Chapter 28
11. Mid-term examination 2 11 Parkin
Chapters 6 and 10
Mankiw, Chapter 28
12. Seminar on Group Projects 12

13. Monetary Policy and Inflation 13 Mankiw

Chapter 4
14. Fiscal Policy and National Budget 14 Handouts

15. External Sector 15 Parkin

Chapter 15
16. Q & A Session 16 Mankiw
Chapters 2, 4, 28
Parkin
Chapters 6, 15 and Handouts
17. Presentation of Group Projects 17

18. Final Exam. Week 18

Detailed Syllabus of Economic Conditions Analysis

1. The Science of Macroeconomics (Mankiw, Chapter 1)

1.1 What Macroeconomists Study

1.2 How Economists Think
1.3 Using Functions to Express Relationships among Macroeconomic Variables
1.4 Microeconomic Thinking and Macroeconomic Models

2. National Income Accounting (Mankiw, Chapter 2 and Handout)

2.1 Measuring the Value of Economic Activity: Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
2.2 The Circular Flow of Money through the Economy
2.3 Methods for Computing GDP: Production Method and Expenditure Method
2.4 Real GDP Versus Nominal GDP
2.5 Is GDP a Good Measure of Economic Well-being?
2.6 Case Study: GDP Calculation in Bangladesh

3. Saving, Investment, and the Financial System (Mankiw, Principles of Economics,

Chapter 26 and Handout)

3.1 Financial institutions

3.2 Saving and Investment in the National Income Accounts
3.3 The Market for Loanable Funds
3.4 Public Policy 1: Saving Incentives
3.5 Public Policy 2: Investment Incentives
3.6 Public Policy 3: Government Budget Deficit
3.7 Case Study: Budget Deficit in Bangladesh

4. Inflation: Its Causes, Effects, and Social Costs (Mankiw, Chapter 5 and Handout)

4.1 Measuring the Cost of Living: The Consumer Price Index (CPI)
4.2 The Quantity Theory of Money
4.3 Inflation and Money Growth
4.4 Inflation and Interest Rates

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 4.5 The Nominal Interest Rate and the Demand for Money
4.6 The Social Costs of Inflation
4.7 Case Study: Inflation in Bangladesh

5. Economic Growth (Parkin, Chapter 6 and Handout)

5.1 The Basics of Economic Growth

5.2 Economic Growth Trends: The Miracle of East Asian Tigers
5.3 The Sources of Economic Growth
5.4 Growth Theories
5.5 Public Policies to Promote Economic Growth
5.6 Case Study: Economic Growth in Bangladesh

6. Unemployment and the Labor Market (Mankiw, Principles of Economics, Chapter

28 and Handout)

6.1 Identifying Unemployment

6.2 Job Search
6.3 Minimum Wage Laws
6.4 Unions and Collective Bargaining
6.5 The Theory of Efficiency Wages
6.6 Case Study: Unemployment in Bangladesh

7. Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand (Parkin, Chapter 10)

7.1 Aggregate Supply: Short-Run and Long-Run

7.2 Changes in Aggregate Supply
7.3 Aggregate Demand
7.4 Changes in Aggregate Demand
7.5 Explaining Macroeconomic Trends and Fluctuations
7.6 IS-LM as a Theory of Aggregate Demand

8. Monetary Policy and Inflation (Mankiw, Chapter 4 and Handout)

8.1 Functions and Types of Money

8.2 Measures of Money
8.3 Determinants of Money Supply
8.4 Understanding the Monetary Sector
8.5 Calculating the Contributions to Money Growth
8.6 Instruments of Monetary Policy
8.7 Case Study: Monetary Policy in Bangladesh

9. Fiscal Policy and National Budget (Handouts)

9.1 Genesis and Definition of Fiscal Policy
9.2 The Theoretical Framework
9.3 Objectives and Structure of the National Budget
9.4 Fiscal Policy Framework under the Eighth Five Year Plan
9.5 Public Expenditure in Education and Health Sectors
9.6 Case Study: Tax Compliance in Bangladesh

10. External Sector (Handout)

10.1 Saving, Investment and Their Relationship to the International Flows of Goods and
Capital
10.2 Current Account Balance of Balance of Payments (BOP)
10.3 Factors Affecting an Economy’s Trade Balance
10.4 Factors Affecting an Economy’s Net Capital Outflow
10.5 Typologies of Trade Policies
10.6 Case Study: International Trade and Economic Development in Bangladesh

Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus, if necessary.