SYLLABUS FOR INTRO TO GENERAL ECONOMICS

Term: Fall 2003 (Sept 5 – Dec 12)

Course Number: ECN150x

Instructor: Mr. Dave Kasper

E-mail: seminar7@netzero.net

Home Phone: 219-473-0553

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

· 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 & interpret economic statistics such as GDP, CPI, and the unemployment rate

· Discuss how economists deal with externalities/spillover costs

· 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

· Calculate the value of M1 & M2

· 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, Worksheets, Video Cases and Lecture and will be utilized throughout the semester.

Assessment:

Assignment	Possible Points	Earned Points
Attendance/Participation	20
Homework #1	5
Homework #2	5
Homework #3	5
Homework #4	5
Article Review #1	5
Article Review #2	5
Video Case #1	5
Video Case #2	5
Video Case #3	5
Video Case #4	5
Video Case #5	5
Worksheet #1	10
Worksheet #2	10
Worksheet #3	10
Worksheet #4	10
Worksheet #5	10
Worksheet #6	10
Group Project	20
Economic Internet Research	20
Total	175

Grading Scale:

158 – 175 A

140 – 157 B

123 – 139 C

105 – 122 D

000 – 104 F

General Conduct of the Course:

1. Handouts of recent economic events will be distributed. Please read and understand them!
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 answer sheet.

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 9/05/03	Syllabus The Economics of Personal and Social Choice	1
2 9/12/03	Scarcity and the Economic Problem The First Law of Economics	2 3	q Video Case #1
3 9/19/03	The Law of Supply and Market Price	4	q Worksheet #1
4 9/26/03	Shortages, Surpluses & Prices	5	q Video Case #2 q Worksheet #2
5 10/03/03	Production, Profits & Marginal Analysis Competition and Monopoly	6 7	q Video Case #3 Homework #1 consisting of: P.21 Study Questions 1,4 P.46 Study Questions 4 P.89 Problem 1-3
6 10/10/03	Jobs and Wages Market Failure and Government Failure	8 9	q Article Review #1 q Worksheet #3 Homework #2 consisting of: P.171 Problem 1-4 P.197 Study Questions 4,5
7 10/17/03	National Economic Problems Overview of the National Economy	11 12	q Video Case #4
8 10/24/03	Government Fiscal Actions and the Pace of the Economy	13	q Worksheet #4
9 10/31/03	Inflation and Unemployment	17	q Article Review #2 q Video Case #5
10 11/07/03	Money, Money, Money The Fed and the Money Supply	14 15	q Worksheet #5 Homework #3 consisting of: P.244-245 Study Questions 3,4 P.263 Study Questions 3 P.383 Problem a-e
11 11/14/03	Computer Lab Time		q Economic Internet Research Homework #4 consisting of: P.310 Study Questions 2,5 P.333 Study Questions 2,4
12 11/21/03	International Trade	10 20	q Worksheet #6
13 12/05/03	Practical Money Management	-	q Oral Presentations
14 12/12/03	PIZZA PARTY!