Principles of Microeconomics

ECO 2023 – Summer B 2015	Assistant Professor:  Kristen L. Zaborski
Department of Math, Science, Business & Technology	Office:  Bldg. 600, Room 604 (Venice Campus)
	Office Phone #:  (941) 408-1483  E-mail:  zaborsk@scf.edu
Office Hours: Virtual at various times within Canvas using email.	Department of Business Web Page: http://www.scf.edu/pages/2137.asp

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.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

http://www.SCF.edu/pages/1162.asp.

REQUIRED TEXT

Economics second edition in modules by Krugman & Wells.  Published by Worth.  The text, at the bookstore, is a 3-hole punch version. Note: The textbook is on reserve at the ARC (Academic Resource Center, Venice campus) and the library (Venice campus). ISBN13: 9781429287319 or ISBN10: 1429287314.

Grading Policy

1) All tests/exams are delivered “online” through Canvas and will emphasize applying the concepts and analytic approaches developed in the course.

2) All tests/exams are scheduled on the outline below.  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.  The amount of time will be announced later.  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.  I will email you more about the exams, including review, as the exam dates approach.

3)  Module Self-Test Quizzes will be due by Sunday night at 11:59pm each week.

4) Weekly discussion forums will be due by Thursday night at 11:59pm each week. You are required to post a response to each discussion forum.

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. Note: Students who do not take the final exam will receive a WF.

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 then contact me with an update after you have contacted Canvas.

Make-up Policv

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

Weight Distribution:

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

 

Although online courses primarily require independent learning, you will still be required to participate in "class."  Students are required to post a response to the discussion forums by Thursday night at 11:59pm each week. Students are required to submit Module self-test quizzes by Sunday night at 11:59pm each week. 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. Note: Students who do not log into the course or submit assignments for one week will be cut from the course and will receive a WF. If you do not take the required comprehensive final exam, you will receive a WF regardless of what your current average in the class is. This is college policy.

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 Student Handbook guidelines.

Course Management

Distance 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 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. For immediate response, please email me at zaborsk@scf.edu.

Material provided each week:

1. Module Reading Assignments and announcements
2. PowerPoint presentations and videos
3. Discussion forums and Module Self-Test Quizzes
4. Helpful websites and flashcards
5. Pictures of graphs and real-world examples on Instagram @insta_graph_
6. My economics blog

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 forward the message to the Chair of the department and the online administrators and appropriate action will be taken, not excluding 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 HELP for Canvas (available 24/7).

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.

Course Outline

Week of (begins on Monday)	Week	Module and/or Readings	Weekly Assignments Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forums	Online Tests delivered on Canvas
June 29		Welcome to the course! Complete the syllabus quiz by this Sunday night at 11:59pm. (Please review Module 1, Module 5, Module 6, and Module 7 on your own since these are covered in Principles of Macroeconomics.)
June 29	1	Module 46 Income Effects, Substitution Effects, and Elasticity Module 47 Interpreting Price Elasticity of Demand Module 48 Other Elasticities Module 49 Consumer and Producer Surplus	Module Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forum
July 3		Last day to drop a course and receive a refund.
July 6	2	Module 50 Efficiency and Deadweight Loss Module 51 Utility Maximization Module 52 Defining Profit Module 53 Profit Maximization	Module Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forum	Test 1 (covers Modules 46, 47,48,49,50,51) Sat. and Sun.
July 13	3	Module 54 The Production Function Module 55 Firm Costs Module 56 Long-Run Costs and Economies of Scale Module 57 Introduction to Market Structure	Module Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forum
July 20             July 25	4	Module 58 Introduction to Perfect Competition Module 59 Graphing Perfect Competition Module 60 Long-Run Outcomes in Perfect Competition Module 61 Introduction to Monopoly   Last day to withdraw from a course and receive no academic grade penalty.	Module Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forum	Test 2 (covers Modules 52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59) Sat. and Sun.
July 27	5	Module 62 Monopoly and Public Policy Module 63 Price Discrimination Module 64 Introduction to Oligopoly Module 65 Game Theory	Module Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forum
Aug 3	6	Module 66 Oligopoly in Practice Module 67 Introduction to Monopolistic Competition	Module Self-Test Quizzes and Discussion Forum due Thursday by 11:59pm (Summer B classes end)	Test 3 (covers Modules 60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67) due Thursday by 11:59pm
	6	Comprehensive Final Exam		Open Friday-Sunday