Calumet
College of St. Joseph
SYLLABUS
FOR INTRO TO GENERAL ECONOMICS
Term: Summer,
2001-2002 (013) (April 29 – May 3)
Course Number: ECN150x
Instructor: Mr. Dave Kasper
E-mail: seminar7@aol.com
Home
Phone: 773-646-4886
Office
Hours: By
Appointment Only
Instructor
Background: MBA DePaul University, BS Purdue University, Owner
of Seminar 7 – a home-based technology training company, Engineer for 9 years,
interests include music, sports and stock market investing
Course Time: Fridays 6:30 – 9:30pm
Course
Description: This course introduces a range of approaches to
economic theory. The basic principles
of both microeconomics, as well as macroeconomics are covered, together with
alternative approaches to economic analysis.
Note:
Students may not receive credit for both ECO 150 and ECO 210.
Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:
Students in this course will:
·
Define terms used to explain economic concepts
·
Explain the concept of being a "practical
economist"
·
Defend the study of economics
·
List and briefly explain the three economic
questions that every society must decide
·
Describe the circular flow of economic activity
·
State and apply the Law of Supply
·
State and apply the Law of Demand
·
Compare and contrast the four basic market models
·
Utilize economic models and recommend solutions to
a contemporary economic problems
·
Utilize graphs
·
Discuss how economists deal with externalities
·
List and explain the economic roles of government
·
Given a contemporary problem, evaluate the results
of government intervention
·
Evaluate the impact of large federal government
deficits
·
Describe the three tools the Federal Reserve can
use in controlling the money supply
·
Explain the process of international trade
·
Interpret economic statistics such as GDP, CPI, and
the unemployment rate
·
Describe the US tax system
·
Calculate federal and state tax liability for a
given income
·
Keep current on economic news
·
Find economic statistics on the Internet
Textbooks: UNDERSTANDING
ECONOMICS TODAY, Walton & Wykoff, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 7th Edition
Other Materials: Calculator,
and Graph Paper
Learning
Strategies: Group Discussions, Team Projects, Video Cases and
Lecture will be utilized throughout the semester.
.
Assessment:
|
Assignment |
Possible
Points |
Earned
Points |
|
Participation |
20 |
|
|
Homework #1 |
10 |
|
|
Homework #2 |
10 |
|
|
Homework #3 |
10 |
|
|
Homework #4 |
10 |
|
|
Article Review #1 |
10 |
|
|
Article Review #2 |
10 |
|
|
Economic Internet Research |
20 |
|
|
Group Oral Presentation |
20 |
|
|
Microeconomic Practice Problems |
50 |
|
|
Macroeconomic Practice Problems |
50 |
|
Total
|
220 |
|
Grading Scale:
202 – 220 A
180 – 201 B
158 – 179 C
140 – 157 D
000 – 139 F
General Conduct of the Course:
Class
Policy on Homework: Students may hand in assignments late. Late
work will have one point taken off for each week late.
Class
Policy on Article Reviews: You may find printed articles or Internet
articles. Please include a copy of the article with you review. Reviews must
address 2 important issues: the economic principle/theory they relate to and
current/future economic ramifications. Do not simply re-state the article!
Class
Policy on Oral Presentations: You will be given a
contemporary economic problem to research and then address. Each member of the
team will take time to present. Issues,
problems, solutions and ramifications must be discussed.
Class
Policy on Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Remember that your
participation points are partially based on your attendance record. It is the
your responsibility to get class lecture notes and make up any work missed.
Class Policy on Professionalism: Any
student or group of students who infringe on the rights of other students or on
the rights of this instructor to teach his class will be asked to leave the
classroom and will not be allowed back during that period. The student's
removal from the classroom will result in one absence for the day. Students
removed a second time for disruptive behavior may be required to withdraw from
the course.
A disruption includes ringing
cell phones/pagers, cell phone conversations, or private conversations during
class.
Center for Academic Excellence:
Tutoring
assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The
Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help
students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to
do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.
Statement of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St.
Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in
another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may
elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any
form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for
judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses
student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)
Citation Guidelines:
Calumet College
of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular
discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the
Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of
sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal from Classes Policy:
After the last
day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw
from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty
member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the
withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal
must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final
examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to
the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to
make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is
forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or
deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive
notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate
why the withdrawal is disallowed.
An official
withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript.
Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an
"F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).
Course Outline:
|
WEEK |
TOPICS |
CH. |
ASSIGNMENTS |
|
1 5/3 |
Syllabus |
1 |
|
|
2 5/10 |
Scarcity and the Economic Problem |
2 |
|
|
3 5/17 |
The First Law of Economics The Law of Supply and Market Price |
3 4 |
|
|
4 5/24 |
Shortages,
Surpluses & Prices
|
5 |
Homework #1 consisting of:
P.21 Study Questions 1,4
P.46 Study Questions 4 P.89 Problem 1-3 |
|
5 5/31 |
Production, Profits & Marginal Analysis Competition and Monopoly |
6 7 |
|
|
6 6/7 |
NO CLASS
|
||
|
7 6/14 |
Jobs and Wages Market Failure and Government Failure |
8 9 |
Homework #2 consisting of:
P.171 Problem 1-4 P.197 Study Questions 4,5 |
|
8 6/21 |
Microeconomic Practice Problems |
1-9 |
|
|
9 6/28 |
National Economic Problems Overview of the National Economy |
11 12 |
|
|
10 7/5 |
Government Fiscal Actions and the Pace of the Economy |
13 |
|
|
11 7/12 |
Inflation and Unemployment |
17 |
|
|
12 7/19 |
Money, Money, Money The Fed and the Money Supply |
14 15 |
Homework #3 consisting of:
P.244-245 Study
Questions 3,4 P.263 Study Questions 3 P.383 Problem a-e |
|
13 7/26 |
Trade Among Nations |
10 |
|
|
14 8/2 |
Macroeconomic Practice Problems |
10-15,17 |
|