Week/Date

Topic

Text

Chapter

Assignments, Debate Topics, Due Dates, and Web Links for Enrichment

9/2

Introduction to the Course, Theme, and Materials

Heilbroner/Milberg

Gosling/Eisner

1

1

Review the following links on government and the economy in ancient times: Egypt, Greece, Rome. Slavery History; Slavery Chronology; Library of Congress Slavery Narratives.

9/9

The Evolution of Government Involvement (to 1787)

Heilbroner/Milberg

2, 3

Read and Evaluate Federalist Papers: 45, 46. Debate Presentation: In what manner and to what extent should the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limit federal involvement in the economy?

9/16

The Evolution of Government Involvement (1787-1800)

Beard

Entire Essay

Read Wood manuscript, chapter 2. Click here to access. Also, read Madison's Notes on the Debates at the Federal Convention, May 31, August 7, September 17. Click here to access. Also, read Yates Notes on the Secret Debates at the Federal Convention, June 19. Click here to access. Debate Presentation: In what manner and to what extent should the role of government be to protect property versus promote the general welfare of the community?

9/23

The Evolution of Government Involvement (1800 to 1932)

Heilbroner and Milberg

4, 5, 6

Read Wood manuscript, chapters 3 and 4. Click here and here to access. Should the federal government limit through antitrust regulation those corporate activities that tend toward reduced market competition (e.g., mergers, monopoly, pricing constraints, or other anticompetitive practices)? Antitrust Division of Justice Department; Federal Trade Commission

9/30

The Evolution of Government Involvement (1933 to Present)

Heilbroner and Milberg

7, 8, 9, 10

Read Wood manuscript, chapter 5. Click here to access. Debate Debate Presentation: In what manner and to what extent should the federal government regulate the securities, credit, and banking industries in the U.S.? Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Office of the Comptroller of Currency; Federal Reserve Bank System; Securities and Exchange Commission; Office of Thrift Supervision

10/7

The Evolution of Government Involvement (1933-present continued)

Heilbroner and Milberg

Gosling/Eisner

12

10

Read Wood manuscrript, chapter 6. Click here to access. Catch up on readings if you are behind. Presentation: Should the U.S. use more social welfare programs to assure a minimum standard of living for all Americans? Administration for Children and Families ; Social Security Administration; Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Food and Nutrition Service

10/13

Midsemester Examination, Due by 5:00 pm, Thursday, 10/16

10/21

Macroeconomic Management: Fiscal Policy

Gosling/Eisner

2, 3

Debate Presentation: Should management of fiscal policy (i.e., aggregate levels of taxation and spending) be placed under the control of a board similar in design to the Federal Reserve Board? Internal Revenue Service; Treasury Department; White House; National Economic Council; Council of Economic Advisors; Department of Commerce; Office of Management and Budget; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Bureau of Economic Analysis; Census Bureau Economic Indicators

10/28

Macroeconomic Management: Monetary Policy

Gosling/Eisner

4

Debate Presentation: Should the Federal Reserve Board be made more accountable to the president and democratic institutions? Federal Reserve System

11/4

Macroeconomic Management: Deficits and Debt

Gosling/Eisner

5

Debate Presentation: Should the federal government be required to maintain a balanced budget, as is currently required in most of the fifty states? First revision of the annotated bibliography is due on Tuesday, 11/4. Department of Treasury

11/11

Microeconomic Management: Regulation

Gosling/Eisner

7

Debate Presentation: Should the U.S. do more to regulate pollution that causes global warming? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Council on Environmental Quality

11/18

Microeconomic Management: Social Policy

Gosling/Eisner

8, 9

Debate Presentation: Should the U.S. more strongly regulate various types of discrimination against women, the elderly, minorities, and the handicapped? Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; First Gov Listing Includes Many Regulatory Agencies.

11/25

Normative Considerations

Sandel

Entire Book.

Debate Presentation: Should the U.S. support labor and working people by mandating a minimum wage indexed annually to inflation? National Labor Relations Board; Department of Labor

11/27

-Thanksgiving: Home, Football, and Catchup-

12/2

Normative Considerations (continued)

Sandel

Entire Book

Final Revision of Annotated Bibliography is due on Thursday, 12/4.

Final Exam: Take home handed out on 12/4. Due 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 16th