Macroeconomic Theory

Harvard Summer School

ECON S-1012

Section 1

CRN 35547

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This course provides an overview of macroeconomic theory and the role and effects of governmental macroeconomic policy. We apply these ideas to understand some of the current debates about the US macroeconomy, such as the impact of tariffs and the causes of and possible policy responses to inflation. We discuss different and competing theories, try to understand what is at stake in the debate between rival schools of thought, and examine data to evaluate their relative merits. The first half of the course studies the long-run behavior of the macroeconomy (such as gross domestic product [GDP] and its growth, inflation, the role of labor and capital markets, and the open economy). The second half of the course studies business cycle fluctuations.

Credits: 4

Term

Summer Term 2026

Part of Term

Full Term

Format

Flexible Attendance Web Conference

Credit Status

Graduate, Noncredit, Undergraduate

Section Status

Open

Instructor Info

Thomas H. Baranga, PhD

Lecturer and Concentration Advisor in Economics, Harvard University

Meeting Info

MW 12:00pm - 3:00pm (6/22 - 8/7)

Participation Option: Online Asynchronous or Online Synchronous

Deadlines

Last day to register:

Additional Time Commitments

Required sections Fridays, noon-1:15 pm.

Prerequisites

ECON S-10a, ECON S-10b, and MATH S-1a, or equivalent courses; students must also pass the proficiency examination.

Notes

This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. See minimum technology requirements. Open to admitted Secondary School Program students by petition. Harvard College students: This course is eligible for degree credit, but see important policy information.

Tuition

All Sections of this Course

CRN	Section #	Participation Option(s)	Instructor	Section Status	Meets	Term Dates
35547	1	Online Asynchronous, Online Synchronous	Thomas Baranga	Open	MW 12:00pm - 3:00pm	Jun 22 to Aug 7