California State University, Sacramento Department of Economics Econ 1B (Section 10)- Introduction to Microeconomics Analysis Fall 2014 Instructor: Min Min Thaw Office: Tahoe Hall 3021 Email: minmin.thaw@csus.edu Office Phone: 916-278-7062 Course Web Page: www.aplia.com Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:10 to 9:50 a.m. Monday and Wednesday 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. or by appointment Aplia Course Key: FYN3-MA22-EWAW Class Time: MWF 12:00-1:15 p.m. Amador Hall 217 Course Description: Introductory microeconomic analysis of the workings of supply and demand in the determination of price, resource allocation, and distribution. Markets are analyzed as they affect economic efficiency and income distribution (University description). This course is a general introduction to microeconomics; the study of the choices that individuals and businesses make, the way these choices interact in markets, and the influence of governments. This course examines: Supply and Demand analysis; international trade, theory of the firm including costs and output, perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly. Markets for factors of production and inequality of incomes will also be discussed. Learning Objectives: Students will demonstrate their comprehension of basic principles of Economics by doing homework, taking quizzes, passing two midterms and a final exam. Homework, quizzes, midterms and final exams will test students ability to Read and interpret economic relationships using charts and graphs. Understand the principles of opportunity costs, theory of taxation, marginal analysis, and how the government can influence choices that individuals make and individual markets make. Distinguish various market structures (i.e. Monopoly, Perfect Competition, Oligopoly and Monopolistic Competition) found in a capitalistic economy. Understand the role of markets in the development of policy making and evaluation. 1
Textbook: Brief Principles of Macroeconomics by N. Gregory Mankiw, 7 th edition. (South-Western College Pub) Bundle (Textbook + Aplia) and Aplia Access Cards are available at the bookstore. You are required to register for this course through Aplia web site. Please see the last page of this syllabus for detailed instructions on how to register. G.E. Requirements: This course satisfies the Area D guidelines for GE courses. Students who successfully completed this course will be able to demonstrate the followings: 1. An understanding of the unique perspective taken by at least one social or behavioral science discipline in its study of society and human behavior. 2. An understanding of the inquiry methods used by at least one of the social or behavioral science disciplines. 3. An understanding of the diversity that exists in human societies. 4. An understanding of the contributions to human society of at least two of the following groups: women, ethnic, religious, socio-economic, gays and lesbians and persons with disabilities. In addition, exams include essay questions where students will be encouraged to think thorough many economic concepts as described in Lower Level G.E. course requirements. Grading: Online Aplia Homework Assignments 30% Two Midterm Exams 40% (20% each) Final Exam 30% The curve looks roughly like this: 87+ A and A- 74 to 87 B+, B, and B- 60 to 74 C+, C, and C- 55 to 60, D+, D, and D Below 55 F Please notice that the curve will be adjusted according to the relative performance of the class. However, you will not pass the class if your final score is less than 55. Exams: Each exam will consist of multiple choice questions and essay questions. The essay questions will be evaluated and graded based on your demonstration of your understanding of the concepts and the clarity of your writing. All exams are closed books, and close notes. 2
You are responsible to bring a Scantron form (#882-E) and a simple calculator. No cell phones or note cards are allowed. No make up exams will be given unless there has been a major catastrophe and I have been notified in advance. If you are sick, you need to provide me with a physician s note that clearly states that you could not have taken a midterm or final on the date it was given. Merely being seen by a physician is not sufficient. Failure to provide a legitimate university excuse will result in a zero on the exam. Grade of incomplete will not be given. Homework Assignments: Homework assignments will be completed online. I encourage you to have high-speed internet connection when doing homework assignments. Computer problems are NOT an excuse for missing assignments. No late homework will be accepted. Due dates for all assignments will be posted on Aplia. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete the assignments. These assignments are challenging and important both for your homework grade and your performance in the class. Make sure to seek out help from me or an economic tutor when you encounter problems. When answer keys are available after due date, please make sure to review them. Free peer tutoring for this class is available in the Department of Economics. Tutoring hours are posted in the department office during the first week of classes. Class Policies: Regular attendance is expected. You are responsible for all work missed due to absences. Get the missed notes from a classmate as soon as possible following your absence to maintain a flow of materials. Should you have reason to come to class late or to leave class early, please feel free to do so, but remember that all missed work is your responsibility. Please be courteous in entering and leaving a lecture and make all attempts not to disturb your classmates. Academic honesty is expected. You are encouraged to work together and help each other in studying and working on homework. However, work submitted for grade must be that of an individual student. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism as described in the University policy may result in an F grade, should there is an evidence of cheating in the exams or in homework assignments. If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester. Course Website: Aplia.(https://www.aplia.com). To sign up for the website, you will need a registration key (see the last page). Course material, including Chapter handouts, online problem sets, 3
and announcements will be posted on Aplia. Be sure to sign up using an email account that you check regularly as all announcements will be made on Aplia and via email. Tentative Course Outline with Firm Exam Dates Week Topic Reading Syllabus 1: September 2 Introduction and Ten Principles of Economics Chapter 1 2: September 8 3: September 15 4: September 22 5: September 29 Thinking Like an Economist and The Market Forces of Supply and Demand Elasticity and Its Implications Supply, Demand and Government Policies Midterm Review: October 1 Midterm I: Thursday October 3 Chapters 2 and 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 6: October 6 Consumers, Producers and the Efficiency of Markets Chapter 7 7: October 13 The Costs of Taxation Chapter 8 8: October 20 The Markets for the Factors of Production Chapters 18 9: October 27 The Cost of Production Chapter 13 10: November 3 Midterm Review: Nov 5 Midterm II: Thursday, November 7 4
11: November 10 Firms in the Competitive Markets Chapters 14 12: November 17 Monopoly Chapter 15 13: November 24 Monopolistic Competition Chapter 16 14: December 1 Oligopoly; Earnings and Discriminations Chapter 17 and Chapter 19 15: December 8 Income Inequality and Poverty Final Exam Review: December 12 Chapter 20 Final Exam: Wednesday, December 17 th from 10:15 to 12:15 p.m. 5
How to access your Aplia course Econ 1B Principles of Microeconomics, 7e, Fall '14 Instructor: Min Min Thaw Start Date: 09/2/2014 What is Aplia? In just 10 years, more than one billion answers have been submitted through Aplia, the premier online assignment solution. Millions of students use Aplia to better prepare for class and for their exams. Join them today! Registration 1. Connect to http://login.cengagebrain.com/course/fyn3-ma22-ewaw. 2. Follow the prompts to register for your Aplia course. Payment After registering for your course, you will need to pay for access using one of the options below: Online: You can pay online using a credit or debit card, or PayPal. Bookstore: You may be able to purchase access to Aplia at your bookstore. Check with the bookstore to find out what they offer for your course. Free Trial: You can access Aplia until 11:59 PM on 09/14/2014 during your free trial. After the free trial ends you will be required to pay for access. Please note: At the end of the free trial period, your course access will be suspended until your payment has been made. All your scores and course activity will be saved and will be available to you after you pay for access. If you already registered an access code or bought Aplia online, the course key to register for this course is: FYN3-MA22-EWAW 6