Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

SYLLABUS FOR INTRO TO GENERAL ECONOMICS

 

Term:  Spring, 2002-2003 (January 6 – April 16)                                                         

Course Number: ECN150x

Instructor:   Mr. Dave Kasper

E-mail:                seminar7@netzero.net

Home Phone:  219-473-0573

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

·       Determine your price consciousness

·       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

 

Video Case #1

5

 

Video Case #2

5

 

Real Life Price Index

20

 

Economic Internet Research

20

 

Microeconomic Practice Problems

50

 

Macroeconomic Practice Problems

50

 

Total

230

 

 

Grading Scale:

207 – 230                A

184 – 206                B

161 – 183                C

138 – 160                D

000 – 137                F

 

General Conduct of the Course:

  1. From time to time, handouts of recent economic events will be distributed.
  2. Take good notes in class! I give you much more information than what is in the text. I will also be showing the video series “Economics USA” to illustrate real life cases of economic theory.
  3. Reading assignments should be completed before attendance in class.
  4. Contact your instructor if additional help is required or if an emergency comes up that requires you to miss more than one class.
  5. Homework assignments and article reviews must be typed (double-spaced) or written in legible handwriting.

 

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 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

1/10

Syllabus
The Economics of Personal and Social Choice

 

1

 

2

1/17

Scarcity and the Economic Problem

 

2

 

Video Case #1

3

1/24

The First Law of Economics

The Law of Supply and Market Price

3

4

 

4

1/31
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

2/7

Production, Profits & Marginal Analysis

Competition and Monopoly

6

7
Article Review #1

       

6

2/14

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

7

2/21

Microeconomic Practice Problems

 

1-9

 
·         Microeconomic Practice Problems

8

2/28

National Economic Problems

Overview of the National Economy

11

12

Article Review #2

9

3/7

Government Fiscal Actions and the Pace of the Economy

13

Real Life Price Index

10

3/14

Inflation and Unemployment

17

 

Video Case #2

 

11

3/21

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

12

3/28

Trade Among Nations

10

 

Economic Internet Research

13

4/4

Macroeconomic Practice Problems

10-15,17
·         Macroeconomic Practice Problems
 Homework #4 consisting of:

P.310 Study Questions 2,5

P.333 Study Questions 2,4

P. 218 Study Question #1

14

4/11

PIZZA PARTY!!!