Principles of Microeconomics

Instructor:  Sara Saderion, Ph.D.                     Course:    Econ 2302/11167

Time:          11:00-1:00pm  TuTh                      Semester: Fall 2007, Second Start -  September 22

Textbook:    Economics for Today, 5^th edition, by Irvin B. Tucker

ISBN:  0324408013

ISBN-13: 9780324408010

OR SOFTCOVER HCC EDITION

Textbook’s website (strongly recommended)  http://websites.swlearning.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=0324408013&discipline_number=413

Location:        Stafford - SW College              

Room:             W124                                      

Office:             E121B                         

Office #:          (713) 718-7778                         

E-mail:             sara.saderion@hccs.edu                                         

Office Hours:  10:00-11:00am TuTh

                         or by appointment

Course Description:  Economics is the study of the efficient utilization of scarce resources.  Microeconomics is the study of all individual decision-making economic entities.

Course Objective:

To develop a basic understanding of the methods and subject matter of economics within the framework of a "market economy."

To develop a basic understanding of pricing and resource allocation with particular emphasis on the decision making process of consumers and business firms as they relate to product markets.

To develop a basic understanding of pricing and resource allocation within factor markets.

Exams:  There will be four exams and a comprehensive final. The lowest grade of the four exams will be dropped.  For this reason, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN.   Each exam is worth 22%, and the final 30%.  The remaining 4% will come from daily short quizzes. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, problem solving, and essay questions.  To help yourself prepare for these exams you are strongly recommended to do the problems in the text and come to class with your questions.  These questions and problems will be discussed in class. Active class participation is highly expected and will be reflected in your course grade.  

Grades:  All exams are to be weighted by the highest grade made in all of my microeconomics sections.  For example if your grade was a 67 but the highest grade in this course was a 95, then your adjusted grade is (67/95)*100=71.  Final grades will be assigned by the following grade scale: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79 =C; 60-69=D; 59 & below =F.

Attendance:  Regular attendance is strongly encouraged.  Good attendance is the variable that most closely correlates to high grades.  The reason for this is that all test material is covered in classroom lectures.  Attendance will be taken for every class period.   If a student decides to drop the course for any reason he or she must officially withdraw.  Any student who has not officially withdrawn from the class but has ceased to attend will receive an “F” as a final grade.  Instructors can not assign a “W” after the official drop date.  If the student has stopped attending class or has failed to meet the course requirements that student will receive an “F” as a final grade

Tardiness:  Students are expected to be on time to class.  If a student has a conflict, which will result in his being late on a consistent basis, he should see the instructor immediately. Daily quizzes are given at the very beginning of class time.

Notice:  Students who take this course for the third time or more may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.  If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available

Expected Outcomes and Course Goals:

      A.     Economics related- By the end of the semester the student should be able to: identify causes of changes in supply and demand, differences between changes in supply/demand and changes in the quantity supplied/demanded; analyze equilibrium in markets for individual goods and services. Understand the economic efficiency/consumer surplus/producer surplus concepts, and be able to evaluate market structure issues (differences between perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly; and the implications of these differences on price and output in any market),

 B.     General Literacy- Basic Intellectual Competencies in the HCCS core curriculum: As a core curriculum class various assignments in this class including tests, papers and other assignments (both in class and take home) will be

Reading: Reading material printed in the English language with the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed and other media including: Books, periodicals, documents and web-based references.

Writing: Writing skills (in the English language) to be developed include the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion and audience. In addition knowing correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process.

Speaking: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience.

Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both quantitative and qualitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one application of critical thinking.

Computer literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems and acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems and possibilities associated with the use of technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available. 

Methods of attaining these goals:

Reading - Assignments from textbook and outside sources will be of sufficient rigor to meet college standards and are designed to improve student comprehension of difficult material by expanding student’s vocabulary. Tests, quizzes and special assignments will be designed to partially measure this ability.

Writing - Students will write in class and/or on tests, quizzes and special assignments and part of the grade on these assignments will be based on whether they write clear, grammatically correct prose.

Speaking - Grammar and vocabulary will be evaluated in student special assignments. Speaking skills will be developed as a secondary goal. In class participation will be encouraged through the use of the Socratic method.

Listening -Students will be evaluated on lecture materials as well as films or in class demonstrations. Feedback will be provided regarding student’s ability to actively listen in the form of special assignment grades, quiz and test grades.

Computer Literacy - Computers will be used to present material. Computer-based assignments will be completed and certain basic components of web-based searches and/or spreadsheet applications will be taught.

 Test conduct: Any student discovered cheating on an examination will be dropped from the course and will receive a grade of F. No compromise.

Student Conduct: Every student must get acquainted with the "Code of Student conduct" as printed in the HCCS Student Handbook.  The code includes such issues as disruptive behavior, scholastic dishonesty, etc.

Special Note: Any disabled individual requiring special accommodations should contact me after class or during office hours. Any student with a DOCUMENTED disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide ONLY the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.  If you have any questions please contact the counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909 (Southwest campus) as soon as possible to make the necessary accommodations. The counselor will inform instructors on the recommended accommodations.

Course Topics:                                                                                            Chapters

Last Day for Withdrawal    --------   November  8

Thanksgiving Holiday       --------     November   22-25

Last day of classes             --------     December  7

Final Examinations         --------       December  8-11

Grades Available            --------        December  21

Tentative EXAM DATES