授業紹介: Introduction to Macroeconomics

 

― more than just academic exercises―

Introduction to Macroeconomics at SILS was one of the most insightful and useful courses I
took during my studies. It provided me with a clear understanding of how national economies
operate and how macroeconomic concepts apply to real-world issues, a perspective that has
continued to shape my worldview.

The course was structured around essential topics such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, fiscal
and monetary policy, and exchange rates. We began by learning how to measure a nation’s
income and the cost of living, then moved into economic growth, the monetary system, labor
market issues, and inflation. In the second half of the semester, we covered aggregate demand
and supply, policy tools, open economy macroeconomics, exchange rates, and even finished
with a lecture on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. The progression of the topics was logical and built
a solid foundation for understanding complex economic interactions.

The textbook we used (Principles of Economics by Gregory Mankiw (10th edition)) was a major
support throughout the course. Its simple explanations and well-structured chapters made it
easy to follow along with the lectures and reinforce key ideas. We also had the option of using
the Cengage MindTap platform to complete assignments and quizzes, which I found helpful for
reviewing concepts regularly. The flexibility of the grading system, which let students choose
whether or not to use MindTap, was a thoughtful gesture that allowed everyone to learn in the
way that suited them best.

What made this class stand out was the way it connected theory to everyday economic issues.
Understanding inflation, interest rates, and exchange rate movements became more than just
academic exercises; they became tools to interpret real news, government policy, and global
challenges.

A key reason this course was so impactful is the way it was taught by Professor Baak. His
passion for macroeconomics was shown in every lecture, and he truly cared about our success.
Whether during class discussions or in follow-up emails, he always provided clear explanations
and helpful advice. In my opinion, this dedication to teaching and student engagement is what
distinguishes a good professor from a great one.

Attending Professor Baak’s class also meant getting to know him a little better beyond his role
as a teacher. From time to time, he would share short stories about his past, like his time in the
Korean military or moments from his academic journey. And for those taking the course in the
future, his introduction on the first day is something worth experiencing, I’ll let you discover that
for yourself.

The structure of the course also made it easy to keep up. Professor Baak uploaded lecture
notes before and after each class, which allowed us to come prepared and review afterwards.
This helped the class absorb the content more effectively and made studying for the exams
much less stressful.

Looking back, Introduction to Macroeconomics gave me more than just academic knowledge, it
gave me a way to better understand the world. It deepened my interest in economics and
influenced my choice to take further related courses like cost-benefit analysis and fiscal policy. I
would highly recommend this course to any SILS student curious about the forces shaping our
economies and societies

※この記事は2025年12月時点のものです。
※この科目は毎学期開講されない場合があります。