Principles of Microeconomics 

SCF Venice campus on Mondays/Wednesdays in room 418 from 11am-12:20pm 

Full Term 16-week course from August 17^th-December 4th

ECO 2023 – Fall 2020	Associate Professor:  Kristen L. Zaborski Department Chair: Business Department, Venice campus
Department of Business, Venice campus	Office:  Bldg. 600, Room 623 (Venice Campus)
	E-mail:  zaborsk@scf.edu
Office Hours: Virtual at various times within Canvas using email.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The objective of this course is to present the natures of economics and tools for economic analysis for an industry or an individual firm. The market system, price theory, theory of the firm, and theories of production and distribution are also presented.

Optional/Recommended Textbook Economics in Modules 3rd Edition by Paul Krugman; Robin Wells; Margaret Ray; David A. Anderson (or Microeconomics in Modules 3rd Edition by Krugman & Wells). 

Optional Textbook Options

Option 1: ISBN-13: 978-1-4641-3903-1 or ISBN-10: 1-4641-3903-2; Format: Hardback textbook. (Expensive!)

Option 2: ISBN-10: 1-4641-5326-4; ISBN-13: 978-1-4641-5326-6; Format: Loose Leaf Sheets. (Less expensive!)

Option 3: eISBN-13: 9781464169526; Format: e-Textbook. (Least expensive!)

https://store.macmillanlearning.com/us/product/Economics-in-Modules/p/1464139032

Note: There are plenty of used copies available to rent or purchase in the SCF Venice and Bradenton campus bookstores. The textbook is also available to purchase on Amazon. In addition, the textbook is currently on reserve for students to use in the SCF Venice and Bradenton campus libraries. The textbook is also currently on reserve in the SCF Venice campus Academic Resource Center. 

Attendance Policy

You will be graded on your attendance record throughout the semester, and attendance will be taken every class and recorded in Canvas. Do not miss this class unless necessary. Students are required to be present and on time to every class meeting. If you must miss a class or leave early, please notify me ahead of time via email or before class starts. Students who do not contact me and miss two consecutive weeks of class and do not login to the e-text or submit assignments for two weeks will be cut from the course and will receive a W, after the withdraw deadline, students will receive an "F". Furthermore, if you do not take the required comprehensive final test, you will receive an "F" regardless of current grade in the class. Students are only allowed to miss a total of three classes over the semester. If you miss more than three classes, you will be withdrawn from the course for nonattendance. Please note there are no excused absences.

Grading Policy

1) All course assignments are delivered “online” through Canvas and will emphasize applying the concepts and analytic approaches developed in the course. If you happen to miss a regular test, your lowest regular test grade will replace the test that you missed at the end of the semester but you must provide me with relevant documentation such as doctor/hospital paperwork explaining why you were unable to complete the test during the testing period. The dates missed must align with the dates of the testing period. If no documentation is provided, then you will receive a grade of zero on the missed test.

2) You will be able to take the test/exam at any time on the scheduled day/days.  However, there will be a time limit for each exam.  This means that once you begin taking the online exam, the computer starts a timer and will close the exam when the time limit expires. You will have a running time clock to let you know your time remaining.  I do not expect the exams to take the entire time, but some students like to use the entire time.  Students are provided with more than enough time to complete assignments. 

3)  Module Self-Test Quizzes will be due by Sunday night at 11:59 pm each week. Please do not wait until the last minute to complete them in case you experience technical difficulties. 

4) Discussion forums are due by Sunday night at 11:59 pm every other week. Please note that you are required to provide lecture notes references in each module discussion question. For more details, click on the discussion forum directions links located in Canvas. You are not required to respond back to another student in the discussion forum area, but I do strongly encourage it since it provides students with a platform for debate and a chance to get to know your fellow classmates. Students can expect to receive feedback and see discussion forum grades a few days after the due date has passed in the comments section in the Canvas grade book.

5) The grading scale is a standard 10% scale with 90% - 100 earning an A, 80% - 89% earning a B, 70% - 79% earning a C, 60% - 69% earning a D and below 60% an F. Please keep in mind that I do not round up grades at the end of the semester, so do not ask me. The grade you receive is the grade you earned. Additionally, in order to remain in the course, a student must maintain an overall grade of a D 60% or higher. If a student does not maintain a grade of D (60%) or higher in the course, the student will be withdrawn for lack of adequate course participation. If you require tutoring or have questions related to the course material, make sure you email me. I am more than happy to help you.

6) If you are having a computer-related problem within Canvas, contact Canvas support and fill out a help desk ticket immediately to resolve the issue first, not the instructor. 

24/7 Canvas Support – Live Chat or 844-920-2764

Make-up Policy

There are NO make-ups for the tests/exams or any assignments.

Weight Distribution:

Module Self-Test Quizzes/Discussion Forums	20%
Exams (3)	45%
Final Exam Attendance/Class Participation	20% 15%

 

Although this course primarily requires independent learning, you will still be required to participate in class. Students are required to post a response to the discussion forum the week it is assigned by Sunday night at 11:59 pm.

Interaction with the instructor and other students should prove beneficial, as you can clarify your understanding of the concepts and discuss alternative applications of an idea. Students also seem to be comforted when they learn that others in the class are struggling with a concept that they find perplexing. 

No-Show Policy 

Students who do not drop a course that they have never attended will be reported as a No-Show by the course instructor during the No-Show period. This drop may have financial aid implications for the student who is dropped.

Note: Students who do not log into the course or submit assignments for two weeks and who do not notify me via email will be cut from the course and will receive a W, after the withdraw deadline date, the student will receive a "F". In addition, If you do not take the required final exam, you will receive a "F" regardless of what your current average in the class.

Withdrawal from a Course

A withdrawal is a change in the student's course schedule where one or more courses are withdrawn before the withdrawal deadline. SCF encourages the student to discuss a withdrawal with the instructor, Financial Aid, and academic adviser before withdrawing from a course. 

Students should consult the academic calendar or the Office of the Registrar for the specific dates of the withdrawal deadlines. Withdrawn courses appear on the student's transcript as a "W" and are classified as attempts. No refunds are permitted for withdrawn courses. 

Students failing to completely process a drop form or drop a class online may result in the student being assigned a grade of "F". 

Financial Aid Impact: 

Withdrawing from one or more courses during the semester may have an impact on both the amount of aid received for the semester and a student's academic eligibility to continue receiving financial aid for future enrollment. 

Students will be permitted a maximum of three attempts per course. An "attempt" is defined as registration in a class after the end of the registration period. All withdrawal policy statements and course attempts apply to part-time as well as full-time degree-credit and developmental students. 

Faculty Withdrawal 

Before the course withdrawal deadline (60 percent of the term) a faculty member may withdraw a student when the student has stopped attending class and has not formally withdrawn from the course by the withdrawal deadline. A faculty member can withdraw a student for excessive absences, excessive tardiness, academic misconduct, or another similar reason, as noted in the faculty member's respective syllabi. A grade of W will be recorded. The grade is recorded on the student's permanent academic record. Fees are applied for all courses accordingly and are counted as attempted courses. 

Prohibiting Recording Device: The use of recording devices during class is prohibited, except when the use of such devices is approved as an accommodation through the college Disability Resource Center.  In such cases the student must provide a copy of their Memo of Accommodation and meet with the instructor to discuss how best to provide the approved accommodation.

Classroom Rules: Please refrain from bringing food or drinks in the classroom. Do not leave any trash behind you. Children are not allowed in the classroom. Cell phones must be silenced and put away while in the classroom at all times. You may be asked to leave class should you get caught texting on your cell phone. Texting during class is extremely disrespectful to the professor, and will not be tolerated. Laptops/tablets are not permitted in class; bring a notebook to every class because you will need paper for in-class assignments, lecture notes and drawing graphs. Outside reading material is not permitted. Students are expected to stay in their seats during class. Please use the restroom prior to coming to class. You may be given a short break during class on occasion. Excessive talking is not allowed in class, except during class discussion initiated by the professor. The professor reserves the right to ask any student who is being disruptive to leave, which includes excessive talking or texting during class.

Statement of Nondiscrimination: State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) is an equal opportunity and access institution that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation and any other factor prohibited under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules and regulations in any of its educational programs, services or activities, including admission and employment.

Religious Observances: Students who expect to be absent due to religious observances must provide their instructor with advance notification, in writing, of the purpose and anticipated length of any absence by the end of the second week of classes.

Academic Integrity:

A fundamental principle of academic, business and community life is honesty.  Violation of this ethical concept will result in penalties ranging from a grade of “F” in the course to dismissal from the College.  In all penalties, a letter of fact will be included in the student's file.  The use of unauthorized material, communication with another student during an examination, attempting to benefit from the work of other students, or attempting to aid another student, and other similar behaviors which defeat the purpose of examinations and individual assignments is unacceptable.  Violation of these standards is a serious offense and shall result in disciplinary actions allowed by the College. (see current SCF Catalog).

Statement of Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, opinions, illustrative material, data, direct or indirect wording of another scholar and/or writer—professional or student—without giving proper credit. Expulsion, suspension, or any lesser penalty may be imposed for plagiarism.

Standards of Conduct:

Students are expected to abide by all SCF Student Handbook guidelines. Make sure you are familiar with all guidelines. I have a strict no tolerance policy. Additionally, students MUST wear a face mask/shield to each class to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. When possible, practice social distancing among other students in the class. Bring plenty of hand sanitizer with you to class. Per SCF policy, a student will be asked to leave the class if not wearing a required face mask/shield. 

Disability Resource Center Information: SCF has a Disability Resource Center (DRC) to assist students. To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact the DRC at 408-1448 in Venice, or by email at DRC@scf.edu. If you have already requested academic accommodations through the DRC for this course, please meet with me to discuss your specific needs.

Department Chair information: For all courses, if a student encounters a problem in the course, they should first work with the professor to resolve it. Most issues can be resolved between the professor and the student. However, if the student needs help and the professor is unable to help or is unavailable, contact Kristen L. Zaborski, Venice campus Department Chair for Business by email at zaborsk@scf.edu . 

Course Management

Learning is self-directed learning.  It requires a high level of responsibility, dedication and self-discipline on the part of the student.  In this course, you are responsible for your own work, your own progress and your own grade.  In order to succeed, you need to log in to the course at the beginning of each week to check announcements, participate in discussions, read email and access course content.  So please, try to stay on track!

Questions???

Questions directed to me should be sent to me via an email in Canvas and must include a proper greeting and closing, otherwise you will not receive a response. 

Material provided each week:

1. PowerPoint presentations 
2. Discussion Forums and Module Self-Test Quizzes
3. News articles
4. Helpful websites 

Netiquette

Communication Courtesy Code.  All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions and chats.  If I deem any of them to be inappropriate or offensive, I will take appropriate action, which could include expulsion from the course.

Deadlines.  Odd things happen in cyberspace; emails get lost, servers disconnect temporarily, and logins fail.  Do not wait for the last minute to do your work.  Allow time to meet deadlines.  Reply and check for replies on every email sent and received.  You are responsible for getting the work done on time.

Late Work. I strongly recommend that students keep up with assignments each week and not wait until the last minute. Late work will not be accepted.

Help Desk.  For technical problems like not being able to view a page, slowness issues, problems viewing video or hearing audio, things not working as they should, contact 24/7 Canvas Support – Live Chat or 844-920-2764, not the instructor. 

Email Policies and Procedures

General email.  In all emails and other correspondence sent to me and/or other members of our class, please identify yourself fully by name, not simply by an email address. Keep all email correspondence within the Canvas learning management system!

Responding to email.  I will check my email daily, and will make every effort to respond within a 24-hour time period. Please make sure that all email sent to me include both a proper greeting and closing. Sending email is different than sending text messages.

Safeguards.  Back up your work on a USB drive and/or make a hard copy. If you experience computer difficulties, you are responsible for solving your own technical problems.

Important Information:

• All Tests will be delivered online through Canvas including discussion forums and self-test quizzes.
• Please check Canvas periodically.