An overriding objective of the course is to develop managerial perspectives on macroeconomic and global issues. Students will develop an understanding of aggregate output and cyclical patterns in GDP as well as factors that determine employment, prices, interest rates, and exchange rates. In an increasingly globalized economy, developments globally are intertwined with these questions and must be considered. Therefore, both national and international macroeconomic factors will be covered. The conduct of fiscal and monetary policy will be discussed. There will be special consideration given to the recession caused by the 2020 pandemic, with a comparison to the 2008 global financial crisis, as well as considerations given to high inflation and the aggressive interest rate hikes pursued by monetary authorities globally. The course also highlights how the emergence of ESG is impacting the strategies deployed by business, and how firms that ignore ESG will be left behind. Brought to the macro level, how firms within countries address ESG issues will have a material impact on the economy's performance.