Milestone 1: Choose a 10-year period in the history of the United States between 1950 and today. All responses will be related to that timeframe.
a) Analyze the annual GDP to calculate specific growth rates and trends in the U.S. economy.
b) Analyze unemployment and inflation data.
c) Analyze interest rate fluctuations throughout this time period and their effects on other aspects of the economy.
Using the Milestone One PowerPoint Template provided, create 4–6 slides that address the following critical elements:
I. Examination of Macroeconomic Data (Be sure to include speaker notes to accompany all of your responses.)
a) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Growth
i. Analyze the annual GDP during the time frame to calculate specific growth rates and trends in the U.S. economy.
ii. Choose two or three of the most relevant historical and/or current events during this time period that impacted the U.S. economy. Apply
specific models developed throughout the course to demonstrate how these events influenced national output during this time.
b) Unemployment and Inflation
i. Analyze unemployment and inflation data during the time frame in their relation to output and growth, using macroeconomic principles and models to explain their effect.
ii. Apply specific models developed throughout the course to demonstrate how the previously selected historical and/or current events influenced both unemployment and inflation during this time.
c) Analyze interest rate fluctuations throughout this time period and their effects on other aspects of the economy. How would these fluctuations affect inflation? Would investments and foreign
trade rates increase or decrease? How would the GDP of the American economy be affected?
Milestone 2:Continue your observation of the 10-year period selected for Milestone One, and research the fiscal policies implemented during those years. Specifically, the following critical
elements must be addressed:
Examine the fiscal policies in place at the start of your specific time period in relation to their effects on macroeconomic issues. For instance, consider level of government spending, taxation,
subsidies, unemployment benefits, and so on.
Analyze new fiscal policy actions undertaken by the U.S. government throughout the time period by describing their intended effects, using macroeconomic principles to explain the actions.
Explain the impact of the new fiscal policy actions on individuals and businesses within the economy by integrating the macroeconomic data and principles.
Milestone 3:
Continue your observation of the 10-year period selected for Milestones One and Two, and research the government monetary policies during that timeframe. Specifically, the following critical
elements must be addressed:
Examine the monetary policies in place at the start of your specific time period in relation to their effects on macroeconomic issues. For instance, consider the discount rate set by the Fed, the
rates on reserves, open market operations, and so on.
Analyze new monetary policy actions undertaken by the U.S. government throughout the time period by describing their intended effects, using macroeconomic principles to explain the actions.
Explain the impact of the new monetary policy actions on individuals and businesses within the economy by integrating the macroeconomic data and principles.