Dr. Ray Bromley Syllabus for microEconomics Fall 2000
ECN112-1595 Phoenix College ECN112-MWF 9
Important Notice
Please keep this syllabus and examine it thoroughly and frequently. It explains what you can expect throughout the term and what will be expected of you. In order to remain in this course, you must agree to read this syllabus, and you must accept all of the quiz, exam, point, grade and other policies set forth in this syllabus. Any changes which circumstances require will be announced in class (and will apply to all students). Otherwise, no exceptions to these policies will be made or discussed. Sorry if you like to be a whiny cry-baby, but this pretty much means you'll have to find another hobby. If there is anything you do not understand, feel free to ask me or call me (see the Help from the Instructor section on page 6 to find out how to reach me). Please also let me know if you have special needs or problems (including problems writing or taking quizzes with a time limit); we can usually make arrangements to fit such situations.
What is economics?
Most people think economics is about making money. Unfortunately, my bank balance is proof that this isn't quite correct. Economics is the study of decisions and choices. It is concerned with how people make choices, how they can avoid mistakes, and what the results of their choices will be. It involves understanding and predicting behavior and events when choices are made. Microeconomics (ECN112, the course you are in) deals with decisions made on a small scale, much like the decisions individuals, families, and businesses make every day. The overall goal of this class is to get you to the point where you understand the basic concepts and tools of microeconomics enough that you can apply those tools to a variety of situations and problems on your own. This does not mean that you will never again make mistakes (in fact, you might discover that taking this class was a mistake), but it might help you to learn from mistakes when you make them and not feel stupid when you do. Also, you will probably understand other peoples' choices a bit more and understand how they might affect you.
What will we be doing in this class?
The main thing we will do in the class is have more fun than you would ever think possible as we explore the wonders of economics. To keep the fun going, we will have frequent (almost weekly) short multiple choice quizzes, three fairly small writing assignments, and a multiple choice final examination. You will be expected to come to class regularly (after all, you won't want to miss the fun)and keep up with the assigned readings in the magnificent text book (also fun, but in printed form). Also, you can add to the fun by doing extra credit if you want!! The details about all of this are contained later in this splendid document.
Do I have to buy or get anything for this class?
Well, it will probably be best if you make a few "investments" before the semester gets too far along. The things you should have (in addition to a notebook, pen and pencil) are listed below.
Required:
(1) The text for this course, Introduction to Economics: The Wealth and Poverty of Nations by Gwartney and Stroup,
(2) Scantron 882ES forms; you will need twelve (12) of these green and white beauties for the quizzes and the final exam,
(3) 3x5 inch index cards; these will be used for keeping attendance and for awarding extra credit. You might want to buy a package of 100 (or more, if you think you will be getting lots of extra credit).
Optional, but recommended:
It would be a good idea to get a library card for the College library, since study aids will be placed on reserve there. Also, you might consider getting access to the Open Computer Lab (in the Library), especially if you do not have a computer of your own. Information about these are found on page 6 of this syllabus. Further, you may wish to obtain a simple (non-graphing, non-programmable) calculator for use during quizzes.
How will we spend our time?
Economics requires applying some basic ideas to many different situations. Try to think about these ideas as being tools. Fortunately, you can't cut yourself or pound your thumb with them, but you can learn how to use them to take things apart or put things together. As with other tools, like screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, and manure spreaders, you get the tool, learn about how it is used (by seeing a demonstration or reading the instructions), and then (if you want to get good at it) practice. Similarly, there are three stages in learning economics:
(1) Get the tools. Getting each of the "tools of economic analysis" involves understanding the basic concept
or concepts. These tool concepts are covered in the textbook and include ideas that make it especially easy to understand the choices people make. Since the text lays the foundation of everything else we will do, you are responsible for reading the passages in the textbook, according to the schedule on the last page of this syllabus. You don't have to understand everything in the book right away, but come to class prepared with questions about ideas or theories that you don't grasp.To give you encouragement to keep up with the reading, there will be twenty unannounced pop quizzes on the reading throughout the semester.
(2) Learn how to use the tools. As with all tools, the economic tools we will study will only be useful to us if we know how to use them skillfully while wearing safety goggles. This is why our class time together is going very important (although I'm sure we will have a ton of fun in class, fun is not our sole objective).
In class, we will (1) make sure you understand the tools, as they are explained in the textbook, and (2) get you started on using the tools, the practical value of which will astound you and everyone you come in contact with. In fact, your tools will make you so popular that Britney Spears and 'NSync will ask you for
your autograph.
Because the class is the main opportunity for you to see how the tools are used, you should take notes during classroom presentations and review them as soon after class as you can. Your instinct is correct if you think that taking notes will be easier if you attend class. If you can't, you should obtain notes from a classmate, or send a super intelligent robot to class in your place. Also, be sure to obtain any handouts given out in class. Extra copies of handouts will generally be available outside my office door (A137), on the internet, or by request if I remember to carry extras around with me.
(3) Practice using the tools. This is the hardest part for most people. The only way to build competence with
the tools of economics is to practice with them outside of class. You can practice using the tools on ready-made study questions, such as those in the Study Guide sections of the textbook. These may be found in the back of each chapter, and most are answered in the back of the text. There will be additional multiple choice questions for each chapter placed on reserve in the library and on the internet (instructions for obtaining these are found on page 6). You are expected to review these questions, but you do not have to turn them in. Instead, the incentive for doing the practice questions is that quizzes will be based entirely upon the textbook study guide and library/internet study questions. Also, the three Application Essay Writing Assignments will allow you to practice using the tools.
Inquiries you have about any essays, study questions or readings will be welcome in class, in office hours, or over the telephone. Please feel free to bring them up, so we can all learn more efficiently. This may sound like a lot of work, but thousands of people have done it and survived. So can you!!! The hard work will pay off when the celebrity of your choice drools over you and your incredible skill.
What about quizzes, essays, and other fun?
"Credit Cards"
Twenty times during the semester, you will be given a brief pop quiz on the reading in the textbook. Each pop quiz will consist of one to five short answer questions covering the terms defined in the section of the book you were asked to read (see the reading schedule on the last page). You will turn in your answers to the pop quiz questions on a 3-inch-by-5-inch index card, called a "credit card". The purpose for using up all of these perfectly good recipe cards is to give you credit for attendance and for keeping up on the reading. Each credit card is worth ten points. No make up credit cards will be given, but only the best ten pop quizzes will be counted in calculating your grade. If you miss a few, dont panic, but try to catch up in the reading (or improve your attendance) as soon as possible.
Multiple-Choice Quizzes
There will be twelve short quizzes given during the semester. Each will consist of ten multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth five points, so each quiz is worth 50 points. Quizzes will take place at the start of every Friday class meeting beginning September 1 (except Sept. 8, Nov. 10, Nov. 24, and Dec. 15). You will be allowed 20 minutes to take each quiz, and the quizzes will be reviewed in class immediately after they are taken. As you will know your quiz score right after taking the quiz, you can keep track of your grade in the class by keeping a record of your quiz scores as the term progresses.
You will need a Scantron 882ES form for each quiz after the first. Please be sure to get these exact forms (they are printed in blue-green or teal). Scantron forms and pencils will NOT be provided; they are available at the bookstore and at the Textbook Source.
The first quiz is just for practice. It will be given Sept. 1, and a Scantron form will be given to you for use on this quiz only. You will automatically get 50 points (full credit) for this quiz.
Only the highest ten of the twelve quizzes will be counted towards your final grade, so you can miss or mess up on two quizzes without your grade being affected much.
Quiz questions will be based on the questions and problems in the back of each chapter in your book, as well as questions that will be placed on reserve in the library. The library questions will also be available on the internet. Actual quiz questions may vary from those found in the book or library/internet. Specifically, names, numbers and other details may be different, as well as the order of answers. Don't just memorize the answers to these problems, learn how to figure out the answers on your own.
Application Essays
In the course of the semester, you will be asked to write three short essays in which you apply economics tool to a problem or situation. Some of the situations will come from your own life and experiences, and some will come from current events and case studies. You will be given lists of topics to choose from for each of the three essays. Once you have selected a topic, there will be a series of questions you must answer in your essay in order to get full credit. Each essay is worth 50 points, and will probably end up being 1-3 pages.
If you do not get full credit on an essay, you will be allowed to rewrite it. In fact, you can rewrite all three essays (as many times as you want), as long as you turn in the original essays and the rewrites on time.
The topics for each essay will be handed out about three weeks before the essay due date. The due dates are:
Essay 1 Essay 2 Essay 3
October 2 November 6 December 4
Extra Credit Cards
At irregular intervals, you may be asked to work on questions or problems in class which involve past readings or recent class discussions. These extra credit pop quizzes are called "Extra Credit Cards," and will require that you provide answers on 3x5-inch index cards. You must come to class with a supply of these cards if you wish to earn these extra credit points. Only students who correctly answer these questions in class will earn extra credit. Also, students may be awarded extra credit and/or "valuable prizes" if they participate in class discussions. No other kind of extra credit will be made available.
Final Examination
The Final Examination is scheduled for December 20 at 9:00 am. You will need a SCANTRON 882 ES form for the final. No early finals will be given. A make-up final will be given only if proof is offered of an unanticipated illness or serious emergency at the time of the exam.
The Final Examination will be a cumulative, comprehensive multiple choice exam, consisting of fifty questions. The questions will be similar to those on the quizzes. As is the case with the quizzes, the final will be based on the questions and problems in the book, as well as the questions on reserve in the library. Each question on the final is worth five points, so the final is worth 250 points, or the equivalent of five quizzes.
In the event that you do very well on the final, the final will be used to determine your entire grade. Specifically, if the percentage of correct answers you give on the final is greater than the percentage of points you have earned in the class (based on the point calculations described below in the Grades section), then the final alone will be used to determine your grade using the percentages listed in the Grades section.
What about grades?
Yes, there will be grades given out at the end of the semester, just like in less fun-filled, thrill-packed courses. I know that we will all be so buoyed by the excitement of mastering the tools of economics that grades will be of little importance. Believe me, when Hollywood superstars, leggy supermodels (or hunks, if you prefer), and billionaires start calling you to see if you are available to party with them, you'll realize how much more important the eonomics knowledge is than the grade. However, if you're curious, grades for the course will consist of the following:
Ten highest Multiple-choice Quiz scores (50 points each) 500 points possible
Three Application Essays (50 points each) 150 points possible
Ten highest Credit Cards (pop quizzes, 10 points each) 100 points possible
Final Examination 250 points possible
TOTAL possible 1000 points possible
Of course, extra credit points will be added in to your own total, so it is actually possible for you to get more than 1000 points!
Remember also that the final examination score will be used to determine your entire course grade if it helps you to do so. If so, the final and only the final will count (no extra credit will be added on), and the percentages below will apply in determining your grade.
Your grade will be based upon where your total falls in the scale:
A 900 or more points (90.0% or more of the possible points)
B 800 to 899 points (80.0% to 89.9% of the possible points)
C 650 to 799 points (65.0% to 79.9% of the possible points)
D 550 to 649 points (55.0% to 64.9% of the possible points)
F less than 550 points (less than 55.0%)
Please note that grades in this course are based entirely upon performance. There will be no deviation from the above scale and no other criteria will be used in assigning grades. If you should achieve a point total that is only one or two points away from the next higher grade, you can take pride in your accomplishment, but you will still be given the grade which your number of points dictates. Purity of heart, goodness of intention, strenuousness of effort, ability to cry on cue, and other virtues are not part of the grade in this course. Do not expect them to be considered in determining your course grade, and do not ask for exceptions to the above standards. Your desire to achieve a good grade should be manifested as effort during the term rather than as pleading after the final has been taken. No whiny babies, please.
This is a schedule of what you should read (and try to understand) by the dates listed below. Any changes in the schedule will be announced in class. Generally, you will find yourself reading AHEAD of our class discussion. The purpose of class meetings is to clarify, rather than present, material. You may want to write down any questions the reading raises in your mind so we may discuss them in class. DATE
PAGES
DATE
PAGES
DATE
PAGES
Sept 1
1-22
Oct 9
97-108
Nov13
172-202
Sept 6
23-42
Oct 16
108-124
Nov 27
203-228
Sept 11
43-65
Oct 23
125-148
Dec 4
229-253
Sept 18
66-74, 80-94, 516-521
Oct 30
149-171
Dec 11
515-521, 541-563
Oct 2
74-80
Please note that there is no guarantee that we will discuss all of the material in the above pages in class. However, you are still responsible for reading those pages and practicing the "Study Guide" questions for the material listed in the tentative schedule.
Highlights
As you examine the syllabus, you will notice some specific policies that are important to remember:
you really probably ought to read the syllabus;
attendance in class and at the quizzes will affect your grade;
keeping up on the reading assignments will help your grade;
being prepared and present in class will count for 10% of your grade (through pop quizzes);
there will be 12 multiple choice quizzes, one each Friday;
there will be no make-up quizzes;
only the best ten quizzes will count towards your final grade
there will be three writing assignment;
extra credit will be available only through class participation and in-class work;
the final will count for at least 25% of your grade;
if you do well on the final, it will count for your entire course grade;
your exact point total (or score on the final) will determine your grade;
having a point total just one point below the number of points required for a specific grade will not get you that grade, no matter how much you want or need it;
no one will get special treatment or a grade higher than that actually earned in the class;
grades are assigned according to a fixed scale;
no part of your grade will be based on any kind of curve.
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