HCCS NORTHWEST COLLEGE FALL

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1 Ladies and Gentlemen: Please read this document in its entirety. You are responsible for a thorough reading of this course syllabus. The terms, conditions and provisions of this syllabus apply equally to ALL students. Please do not ask for any exceptions. Course Title: HCCS NORTHWEST COLLEGE FALL 2012 Principles of Microeconomics Course Number: ECON CRN: Voice Mail Number: Instructor: DR. Ali Faegh (ali.faegh@hccs.edu) Office Location and Hours: Town & Country-Room AD-2, by appointment Required Textbook: **Principles of Economics-10 th Edition, by Case, Fair, Oster, Pearson / Prentice Hall, 2012 Required software: **MyEconLab software. COURSE ID NUMBER: faegh07526 COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS Economics 2302 is a survey course in principles of Microeconomics. A survey course touches lightly on a variety of topics but does not provide a deep and through coverage on any particular topic. The objective of the course is to provide students with an intellectual framework for the analysis and evaluation of Microeconomic issues confronting a society such as market mechanism, consumer behavior, price and output determination in various output markets, and employment of factors of production with concentration on labor force. The student will receive a solid approach and treatment of Microeconomic principles that will serve as a foundation for future courses in finance, intermediate and advanced Microeconomics, and other business related courses requiring analytical skills. The course will also help the students to develop skills that will enable them to recognize, understand, and respond to economic issues that surround our everyday lives.

2 COURSE TEXTBOOK The textbook materials can be used for all ECON 2301 and ECON 2302 courses offered at HCC Northwest College. The shrink wrap also includes an access code for the online tutorial (MyEconLab) accompanying the textbook. In HCCS Book Stores the textbook packet is identified as a Customized HCC Package. The textbook is available at the Central College, North line, Spring Branch, and Katy Campus HCC Book Stores. HCCS Book Store Purchases The text shrink wrap packet includes the actual textbook and a pass code/access code for use of the MyEconLab online tutorial. After purchase, secure the access code and have it readily available so that you can complete the initial registration process for the MyEconLab platform provided below. Online Textbook Materials Purchase In lieu of an HCCS Book Store purchase, the textbook purchase is available online. The online purchase involves paying for the text materials with a credit card with the packet being shipped to you by the textbook publishing company. Your options include: 1) Purchasing a hard copy of the text; 2) An electronic version of the textbook and 3) The Myeconlab access code. MyEconLab Initial Registration Process The activity in MyEconLab online tutorial is worth of 10 additional points added to your semester grade. Each of the MyEconLab text chapter modules is time/date sensitive. Once any module is marked Past Due you will be assigned a score of 0 and this will be averaged in with all other modules throughout the semester. In order to begin MyEconLab activity in this course you must first register into the MyEconLab online platform. Your course has a unique case sensitive COURSE ID number that you must provide to proceed with the registration process. THE MYECONLAB REGISTRATION PROCESS Go to the following website link below and type in your unique and CASE SNSITIVE Course ID number when it is requested: Register and Enroll in a New Subject 1. Go to the MyLab and Mastering website and click Student in the Register area. 2. Enter the course ID you received from your instructor for your new course, and click Continue. Course ID: faegh Follow the instructions to either: Use a student access code, purchase access online, or request temporary access. To use a student access code: 1. Go to the MyLab and Mastering website and click Student in the Register area. 2. Enter the course ID provided by your instructor and click Continue.

3 3. After verifying your course information, enter your username and password, and click Sign In. 4. If you don t have a Pearson account, click Create an account. 5. Complete the Create an Account page. Helpful hints display to guide you. 6. Read and accept the license agreement. 7. Optionally, you can select the check box to help us make our products better and learn about new offers. 8. Click Create Account. 9. Click Access Code and enter your six-word access code in the boxes. 10. Click Finish to complete your registration. 11. Click Go to Your Course to access your online course. To purchase course access online: 1. Go to the MyLab and Mastering website and click Student in the Register area. 2. Enter the Course ID provided by your instructor (faegh 07526) and click Continue. 3. After verifying your course information, enter your username and password, and click Sign In. 4. If you don t have a Pearson account, click Create an account. 5. Complete the Create an Account page. Helpful hints display to guide you. 6. Read and accept the license agreement. 7. Optionally, you can select the check box to help us make our products better and learn about new offers. 8. Click Create Account. 9. Select the button for the access level you want. 10. Select whether you want to pay with a credit card or use PayPal and enter payment information. 11. Click Review to review your order details. If you need to change anything, click the Change link. 12. Click Make Payment to submit your order. 13. Click Go to Your Course to access your online course. To request temporary access If a student is waiting for financial aid, 17 days of temporary course access without payment may be available. 1. Go to the MyLab and Mastering website and click Student in the Register area. 2. Enter the Course ID provided by your instructor and click Continue. 3. After verifying your course information, enter your username and password, and click Sign In. 4. If you don t have a Pearson account, click Create an account. 5. Complete the Create an Account page. Helpful hints appear to guide you. 6. Read and accept the license agreement. 7. Optionally, you can select the check box to help us make our products better and learn about new offers. 8. Click Create Account. 9. To get temporary access to your course, click the link at the bottom of the page. 10. When a confirmation message appears, click Yes to complete your registration. 11. You will receive a confirmation with payment instructions. Click Go to Your Course to access your course.

4 For more help with registration, go to the Get Started for Students area of the MyLab and Mastering website. For instructions on registration, watch the Register for your course videos. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. To develop a basic understanding of the methods and subject matter of economics within the framework of a market economy. 2. To develop a basic understanding of pricing and resource allocation with particular emphasis on the decision making process of consumers and business firms as they relate to product market. 3. To develop a basic understanding of pricing and resource allocation within factor markets. 4. To develop a basic understanding of key domestic economic issues such as the monopoly problem, the farm problem, and the urban problem Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): 1. Describe the concepts of elasticity and how it affects supply, demand and total revenues of a firm. 2. Discuss how government attempts to control and prevent monopolistic power through anti-trust regulation and describe the results. 3. Explain and identify production costs and how they behave in the short and long run. 4. Explain the characteristics of market behavior in both perfectly and imperfectly competitive firms. OUTCOMES: The student will be able to critically analyze materials related to the overall functioning of the economy, develop a framework within which to examine evaluations / modifications of the economy and use economic analysis utilizing critical thinking to develop well reasoned judgments on economic and related policy matters. Through this process the student will utilize her/his already acquired verbal, written, mathematical, computer, and public speaking skills. STUDENT EVALUATION: Your semester grade is determined based on the followings: 1 st Exam 30 points 2 nd Exam 30 points 3 rd Exam 30 points

5 Final Exam 40 points Extra Credit 10 points (for doing the HOMEWORK) The LOWEST test grade of the midterm exams will be dropped. The exams will cover materials and sample questions covered in the HOMEWORK and the STUDY PLAN section of MyEconLab software and may include end of chapter problems. MISSED TESTS: The first time you miss a test a score of 0 will be assigned and since it is the lowest grade of the midterms, then it will be dropped. The second time you miss a test, a score of 0 will be assigned and that grade will be averaged in with other scores. If you miss the final exam you will be assigned a score of 0 for the final exam unless you contact me by private HCCS no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the scheduled final examination to arrange for a make-up. The final exam make up will be a written long-answer essay exam administered at a time, date, and location determined by the instructor sometime before the electronic submission of course grades. No make-up exam for any midterm test is offered. EXTRA CREDIT: The software that comes with your textbook is called MyEconLab. This is a very good tool to learn, practice, and critically analyze the economic problems. There are dated assignments there. To earn the extra credit, students should do the HOMEWORK section of MyEconLab in the stipulated period. The software allows you to try and re-try and it guides you so that you find the right solution. The software also grades your work. The 10 points will be added to your total grade. I have allocated such a large percentage as extra credit because of its effectiveness in your learning process. Grading Scale: A= ; B= 80-89; C= 70-79; D= 60-69; F= 59 & below. ONLINE COURSE ATTENDANCE Students are totally responsible for withdrawing themselves from the course. Students who reach excessive absences will be assigned a final grade of FX for the course. International students and Financial Aid students may be assigned final grades of FX for course inactivity. (November 2, 2012) HCC COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY : FINAL WITHDRAWAL DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 2012 AT 4:30 P.M. STUDENTS ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WITHDRAWING THEMSELVES FROM THIS COURSE.

6 The State of Texas imposes penalties on students who drop courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX (6) total course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university. STUDENT SERVICES Student Services Associates (SSA) and Counselors can assist students with admissions, registration, entrance testing requirements, degree planning, transfer issues, and career counseling. In- person, confidential sessions, can also be scheduled to provide brief counseling and community referrals to address personal concerns impacting academic success. FINANCIAL AID STUDENTS: Students on HCCS Financial Aid who are assigned final course grades of FX maybe asked to refund any funds associated with this course back to the Financial Aid Office. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate (most convenient) DSS office for assistance: Disability Support Services Offices Northwest College: Mahnaz Kolaini After student accommodation letters have been approved by the DSS office and submitted to DE Counseling for processing, students will receive an confirmation informing them of the Instructional Support Specialist assigned to their professor. CLASSROOM CONDUCT All students in HCC Distance Education courses are required to follow all HCC Policies & Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and relevant sections of the Texas Education Code when interacting and communicating in a virtual classroom with faculty and fellow students. Students who violate these policies and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action that could include denial of access to course-related , discussion groups, and chat rooms or being removed from the class. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: The HCCS Student Handbook defines a number of behaviors that constitute violation of the HCCS Academic Dishonesty policy. Disposition of all academic dishonesty incidents will be carried out in a manner as described in the

7 Student Handbook. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the specific provisions of the HCCS Academic Dishonesty Policy provisions including the following sanctions: 1) Dismissal and or suspension from HCCS; 2) A final grade of F in the course and 3) An appropriate notation on the student s HCCS permanent record. I will enthusiastically enforce the HCCS Academic Dishonesty Policy. Students will be informed of pending academic dishonesty proceedings after the submission of final course grades at the end of the semester. I implement testing processes and procedures to identify and severely punish academically dishonest students. See the HCCS Student Handbook for what constitutes academic dishonesty. ADVICE A course in Economics is a demanding course. You may have found in other courses that you could get by with less, possibly much less effort. In all likelihood, that will not be the case with Economics. A casual read-through approach (newspaper reading style) will not be sufficient since Economics is analytical rather than factual. Therefore, understanding rather than memorization is required. CORE CURRICULUM INFORMATION Social sciences comprise of at least 15 semester hours of each HCCS student s core curriculum. Essential to the learning process in the social sciences discipline are at least six basic intellectual competencies. They are: Reading at the college level Writing at the college level Speaking effectively Listening effectively Critical thinking for application of qualitative and quantitative skills Computer literacy The followings are HCCS s stated exemplary educational objectives for its social sciences core. To employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition. To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures. To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.

8 To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues. To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the subject of study. To comprehend the origins and the evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, with a focus on the growth of political institutions, the constitution of the U.S. and Texas, federalism, civil liberties, and human rights. To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world. To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical) and differing points of view. To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research. To analyze, critically access, and develop creative solutions to public policy problems. To recognize and assume one s responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse, and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy. To identify and understand differences and commonalities with diverse cultures. ONLINE EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTION The EGLS (Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System) is an opportunity for you to evaluate your course instruction. Please take the time at some point before the end of the current semester to go online and complete this evaluation. Your instructor will make the website address available to you. OPTIONAL STUDENT STUDY TOOLS AND RESOURCES: The Economist Wall Street Journal The American Economic Review Daily Newspapers: the periodicals can assist you in integrating what you are studying into the major economic discussion of national, state, and local government and economic issues.

9 Fall 2012 Semester Course Calendar Subject to Change Timelines Activity: Chapter Text Materials Week of August 27 Week1 Week of September 3 Week 2 Week of September 10 Week 3 Week of September 17 Week 4 Week of September 24 Week 5 Week of October 1 Week 6 Week of October 8 Week 7 Week of October 15 Week 8 Week of October 22 Week 9 Week of October 29 Week 10 Week of November 5 Week 11 Week of November 12 Week 12 Initial Eagle Online Login; Initial MyEconLab registration with instructor-provided Course ID number. Chapter 1: The Nature and Scope of Economics Chapter 2: The Economic Problem: Scarcity and Choice Chapter 3: Demand, Supply, and Market equilibrium Chapter 4: Demand and Supply Applications TEST# (COVERS CHAPTERS 1,2,3) The exam is offered on MyEconLab Chapter 5: Elasticity Chapter 6: Household Behavior and Consumer Choice Chapter 7: The Production Process: The Behavior of Profit maximizing Firms Chapter 8: Short run Costs and Output Decisions TEST # (covers chapters 4,5,6) The exam is offered on MyEconLab Chapter 9: Long Run Costs and Output Decisions Chapter 10: Input Demand: The Labor and Land Markets Chapter 12:General Equilibrium and the Efficiency of Perfect Competition TEST # (covers chapters 7,8,9) The exam is offered on MyEconLab Chapter 13: Monopoly and Antitrust Policy

10 Week of November 19 Week 13 Week of November 26 Week 14 Week of December 3 Week 15 Chapter 14: Oligopoly Chapter 15: Monopolistic Competition FINAL EXAM Please see this semester s final exam schedule. Week of Week 16

11 Course Readings Economics 2302 Please note that this is a preliminary list of readings. The Scope and Method of Economics (chapter 1) The Economic Problem: Scarcity and Choice (chapter 2) Demand, Supply, and Market Equilibrium (chapter 3) EXAM I Demand and Supply Applications (chapter 4) Elasticity (chapter 5) Household Behavior and Consumer Choice (chapter 6) EXAM II The Production Process: The Behavior of Profit-Maximizing Firm (chapter 7) Short-Run Costs and Output Decisions (chapter 8) Long-Run Costs and Output Decisions (chapter 9) EXAM III Input Demand: The Labor and Land Markets (chapter 10) General Equilibrium and the Efficiency of Perfect Competition (chapter 12) Monopoly and Antitrust Policy (chapter 13)

12 Oligopoly (chapter 14) Monopolistic Competition (chapter 15) The Balance of Payments and Exchange Rates (chapter 35) FINAL EXAM Please note that this is a preliminary list of readings. The readings list is subject to change. In addition, you may be required to read outside material(s) which are relevant to the course.