Intermediate Macro dives into the big picture of how economies work. You'll explore economic growth, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal and monetary policies. The course covers models like IS-LM and AD-AS, and delves into open economy macroeconomics. You'll analyze how government decisions and global events impact national economies.

Is Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory hard?

Intermediate Macro can be challenging, especially if you're not a math fan. It involves a lot of graphs, models, and some calculus. The concepts can get pretty abstract, which trips up some students. But if you keep up with the material and practice problem-solving, it's totally manageable. Most students find it harder than intro courses, but not as brutal as some upper-level econ classes.

Tips for taking Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Draw out the models and graphs yourself - don't just stare at them in the book
Stay on top of current economic news - it helps make the concepts more real
Practice, practice, practice with problem sets - especially IS-LM and AD-AS models
Form a study group to tackle tough concepts together
Use online resources like Khan Academy for extra explanations
Watch "The Big Short" for a real-world look at macroeconomic crises
Read "The Undercover Economist" by Tim Harford for accessible macro insights

Common pre-requisites for Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

Principles of Macroeconomics: This intro course covers basic economic concepts and models. It lays the foundation for understanding how economies function on a national and global scale.
Calculus I: You'll need a solid grasp of derivatives and basic calculus concepts. This math background is crucial for understanding more complex economic models and optimization problems.

Classes similar to Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory

International Economics: Focuses on trade theory, exchange rates, and global economic policies. You'll learn about comparative advantage, trade barriers, and how countries interact economically.
Money and Banking: Dives deep into monetary policy, financial markets, and banking systems. It's like macro's cooler cousin that hangs out on Wall Street.
Economic Growth and Development: Explores why some countries are rich and others are poor. You'll study theories of economic growth and policies for development.
Public Finance: Examines government spending, taxation, and debt. It's like macro with a focus on how government decisions impact the economy.

Economics: Focuses on understanding how resources are allocated and decisions are made in markets and economies. Students learn to analyze economic data, policies, and trends.
Business Administration: Covers a broad range of business topics including finance, marketing, and management. Macroeconomic knowledge is crucial for understanding the business environment.
Political Science: Studies government systems, political behavior, and public policies. Understanding macroeconomics is key for analyzing how economic policies impact political decisions and vice versa.
International Relations: Examines global politics, diplomacy, and cross-cultural interactions. Macroeconomic theory helps in understanding global economic systems and their impact on international relations.

What can you do with a degree in Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory?

Economic Analyst: Analyzes economic trends, creates forecasts, and provides insights for businesses or government agencies. You'll crunch numbers and interpret data to help guide decision-making.
Policy Advisor: Works with government officials to develop and evaluate economic policies. You'll use your macro knowledge to help shape decisions that impact entire economies.
Investment Banker: Helps companies and governments raise capital by issuing and selling securities. Your understanding of macroeconomic trends will be crucial in advising clients and making investment decisions.
Financial Journalist: Reports on economic news and trends for media outlets. You'll use your macro knowledge to explain complex economic concepts to the general public.