Principles of Microeconomics Northeast College Northline Campus ECON 2302 - Microeconomics CRN 18607 Fall 2016 Northline Campus Room 212 9am 12 noon Fridays Credit Hours: 3 Length of Course: 48 hours per semester Instructor: Sanjukta Kar Instructor Contact Information: sanjukta.kar@hccs.edu I. Department information Richard Gosselin Chairman Economics Department 3214 Austin St. Caroline St. Entrance EDC Bldg. Suite A-229 Houston, Texas 77002 Phone: 713-718-7638 Email: richard.gosselin@hccs.edu II. Instructor Office Hours: By appointment Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this course. Please DO NOT wait till the last moment to ask questions. Your performance in my class is very important to me. If you have questions outside class hours you can either send me an email or ask question the next class period. I will be available before and after class by appointment. III. Course Description and Prerequisites Microeconomics examines the fundamentals of the American economy as it relates to business and individual welfare. Emphasis in on basic economic concepts and theories as they affect domestic and international markets. Microeconomics includes cost and production decisions and discusses the role of competition, monopolies and oligopolies.
This course will help you to understand the kinds of markets businesses operate in as well as how firms maximize profits subject to constraints. There are many real world applications of this course in game theory, industrial organization, environmental economics, anti-trust law and other areas. The ONLY prerequisite for this course is the equivalent of MATH 0306 that does not mean you have to have taken the course if your scores on placement tests or other credentials allowed you to register for the course. If you feel you do not have these necessary skills, please talk to me today. IV. Textbook The Economy Today 14 th Edition by Bradley Schiller and Karen Gebhardt ISBN: 978-0-07-802186-2 MHID:0-07- 802186-3 THE EBOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN YOU BUY ACCESS TO MCGRAW HILL CONNECT ONLY USING THE REGISTRATION LINK PROVIDED. Registration Link to McGraw Hill Connect http://connect.mheducation.com/connect/shorturl.do?accessurl=s-kar-fall-2016-friday-9-12-pm Courtesy Access- Courtesy Access enables students to register for Connect and receive full access (typically for 14 days). Download Socrative Student in your smart device and you will need it for the practice non-graded quizzes. This free application, which can be downloaded after class starts. V. Student Learning Outcomes Students will: 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.
5) Read and interpret economic data from graphs. VI. Core Objectives Be aware that the following skills will be evaluated in this course either through exams, homework assignments or written work. 1.Critical Thinking Skills (CT): To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. 2.Communication Skills (COM): To include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication. 3.Empirical and Quantitative Skills (EQS): To include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. 4.Social Responsibility (SR): To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities. VII. Instructional Methods As an instructor, I want my students to be successful. I feel that it is my responsibility to provide you with knowledge concerning the field of Microeconomics that allows you to connect the information that you learn in this course to the real world. In short the purpose of this course is not to turn you into an economist but rather to train you to become economically literate. This course will involve lecture, computer based assignments, short videos and other methods approved by the institution. As a student wanting to learn about the field of economics, it is your responsibility to read the textbook, submit assignments on the due dates, study for the exams, participate in classroom activities, attend class, and enjoy yourself while experiencing the real world of economics. VIII. Student Assignments Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. To better understand a topic, you will be given assignments on key information that you will need to remember for your success in this course. Students will be required to successfully complete the following:
Homework s: A problem set will be assigned after every topic. There will be a total of 6-7 assignments. The homework s will consist of multiple choice questions and short answer type questions. These will help you prepare for the midterms and the final exam. All homework s will always be due on Sundays at 11:59 pm. NO LATE HOMEWORKS ARE ACCEPTED WITHOUT VALID REASONS. Link to McGraw Hill Connect to Access the Homework s http://connect.mheducation.com/class/s-kar-macroeconomics-friday-9-am-12-noon Midterms: There will be TWO closed book midterms. This will help you better grasp the concepts taught in class. A formula sheet (if required) will be given to you at the beginning of the exam. Late arrivals during midterms (unless in an emergency) will not grant you extra time to write the exam. Essays: Two essays will be assigned for this class. You will be assigned economics topics which you need to write using the theories taught in class. Each essay is completed in stages. Stage one is the preparation of the rough draft, which must be sent to a tutor through the HCC Ask Online service. Students must submit the tutor s comments to me. After the student receive feedback from the tutor, the student must then make revisions and provide a second submission. After the second submission I will review your work, provide comments and feedback so that you can turn in your final work. You will have approximately one month to prepare for each essay. An essay schedule is provided in the course schedule. All essays should be submitted in Canvas. No paper copies of essays are accepted. Helpful websites for graphs www.tradingeconomics.com https://www.stlouisfed.org/ I will show how to use these websites in class and you can ask as many questions you have regarding how to use these sites. Though not mandatory if you want to put your work online you can make a flipbook. To do that go to http://www.flipsnack.com/ and upload pdf files of your essays. It is completely free!
Final Exam: There will be one closed book final exam on December 9 th from 9 am to 12 pm. As with the midterms a formula sheet (if required) will be given to you at the beginning of the exam. The final exam is NOT comprehensive. NO MAKE-UP TESTS ARE CONDUCTED WITHOUT VALID AND WRITTEN EMERGENCIES. In-class Activities: In all classes we will have graded and non-graded activities to facilitate active learning. Graded activities will include instructor guided Web exercises. Non-graded activities will include practice quizzes using Socrative Student. IX. Grading Percentages Categories Number Percentage Homework s 5-6 20% Midterm 2 30% Essays 2 10% Final Exam 1 30% In Class Graded Activities 10% Total 100% X. Grading Scale The final course grade will be determined using the following scale:
Total Points Grade 90-100 A 80-89 B 70 79 C 60 69 D Below 60 F XI. Make-Up Policy There will not be any make-ups allowed for any reason unless you have well documented medical reason or any other emergency. Therefore, it is imperative that you complete all of your work. With respect to midterm exams, if a student misses one exam the score will be dropped before calculating the midterm average. If a student misses more than one exam the student is subject to withdrawal by the instructor. XII. Absences and Withdrawals Please understand that any student who misses 12 hours of instruction or more (i.e. four classes) is subject to withdrawal by the instructor. Also, any student who missed more than one midterm or two or more chapter quizzes is also subject to withdrawal. Do not automatically assume that I will withdraw you if you simply stop attending. Withdrawing from the course is your responsibility. If you fail to withdraw from the course by the withdrawal date you will receive an F for the course. Instructors are not given the power to assign a W after the withdrawal date. Last Day to Withdraw with 70% Refund is September 7 th. Last Day to Withdraw with 25% Refund is September 13 th. Last Day to Withdraw for Regular 16 Week Fall 2016 is October 28 th. XIII. Instructor Requirements As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to: Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and lectures Description of any special projects or assignments Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or assignments Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student s responsibility to: Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities. Read and comprehend the course materials. Complete the required assignments and exams. Ask for help when there is a question or problem. Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments. XIV. Classroom Behavior In order to promote a conducive learning environment I propose the following classroom etiquette: Meaningful and constructive dialogue is encouraged in this class and requires a degree of mutual respect, willingness to listen and tolerance of opposing points of view. Respect for individual differences and alternative viewpoints will be maintained at all times in this class. One s words and use of language should be temperate and within acceptable bounds of civility and decency. Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption, all students are expected to come to class prepared and on time, and remain for the full class period. All pagers, wireless phones, games, players or other electronic devices that generate sound and/or pictures must be turned off during class. Disruptive behaviors, including excessive talking, arriving late to class, leaving class repeatedly sleeping, reading newspapers, using unauthorized electronic devices during class are not permitted. If the student fails to abide to any of these conditions he/she will be asked to leave the class. XV. HCC Policy Statements Access Student Services Policies on their Web site: http://central.hccs.edu/students/student-handbook/ XVI. ADA Statement Any student with a DOCUMENTED disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide ONLY the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. If you have any questions please contact this number 713-718-8322 (Northeast campus) as soon as possible to make the necessary accommodations. The counselor will inform instructors on the recommended accommodations. If you still have questions contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165.
The information in this publication will be made available in large print, taped or computer-based format upon request. Should you receive such a request, the office of Disability Support Services at your college has the expertise and equipment necessary to accommodate it. HCC CAMPUS CLASSES ONLY: If you have a physical handicap that necessitates assistance during a building evacuation, contact the instructor on the first day of class and a buddy will be assigned to you. This buddy along with the instructor and security personnel will assist you in the unlikely event of a building evacuation. XVII. Access DE Policies on their Web site: All students are responsible for reading and understanding the DE Student Handbook, which contains policies, information about conduct, and other important information. For the DE Student Handbook click on the link below or go to the DE page on the HCC website. The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to the DE student. Students should have reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory orientation. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's contents. The handbook contains valuable information, answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and procedures (how to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid, degree planning, etc.), course information, testing procedures, technical support, and academic calendars. Refer to the DE Student Handbook by visiting this link: http://de.hccs.edu/media/houston-community-college/distance-education/student-services/de-student- Handbook.pdf XVIII. Student Handbook Visit this link: http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook XIX. Access CE Policies on their Web site: http://hccs.edu/ce-student-guidelines XX. The course schedule is as follows:
Course Schedule: Week Date Chapters 1 August 26th Chapter 19: Theory of Consumer Choice 2 September 2nd Chapter 19: Theory of Consumer Choice Contd. Chapter 20 : Elasticity Homework 1 is posted online. Due September 11th. 3 September 9th Chapter 20 : Elasticity Contd. Chapter 21: The Costs of Production Homework 2 is posted online. Due September 18th. 4 September 16th Chapter 21: The Costs of Production Contd. Midterm 1 Review 5 September 23rd Midterm 1 6 September 30th Chapter 22:The Competitive Firm Essay 1 is due 7 October 7th Chapter 22:The Competitive Firm Contd. Chapter 23: Competitive Markets Homework 3 is posted online. Due October 16th. 8 October 14th Chapter 23: Competitive Markets Contd. Chapter 24: Monopoly 9 October 21th Chapter 24: Monopoly Contd. Midterm 2 Review 10 October 28th Midterm 2
11 November 4th Chapter 25: Oligopoly 12 November 11th Chapter 25: Oligopoly Contd. Homework 4 is posted online. Due November 20th. 13 November 18th Chapter 26: Monopolistic Competition Homework 5 is posted online. Due December 4 th. Essay 2 is Due 14 November 25th Thanksgiving Holidays 15 December 2nd Final Exam Review 16 December 9th FINAL EXAM Syllabus Change: While every attempt has been made to prepare this syllabus and class schedule in final form, it will be the instructor's prerogative to make any changes as may be deemed necessary in order to meet the learning outcomes of the course. Students will be notified well in advance of any change.