COURSE SYLLABUS for
MICROECONOMICS
ECON 2010/ONLINE COURSE
Dr. Mary Kelly Email: mkelly@hpu.edu
Website: http://kainani.hpu.edu/mkelly
Oct 6-Dec15 2003
TEXT: Economics 6th ed., Michael Parkin, 2003 and supplemental readings/handouts as directed. The Student Guide is on the resource CD that comes with the book, as is the Personal Tutor.
Online source: www.economicsplace.com
A. Online Issues: Online course have a few unique issues.
Read carefully
1. How to get into Campus Pipeline – Click on this
URL: http://campus.hpu.edu
Your initial log on will be your
Campus Pipeline log on (e.g., John Smith’s password would be jsmith), your initial password is your birthday
entered as mmddyy for example if you were born
For additional
assistance please contact ITS Call Central at 566-2470 or by e-mail at cphelp@hpu.edu .
2. This is an asynchronous course, which means there is almost no time when everyone has to be online all together. To do so makes it difficult for those who may be on a deployment or a TDY during this course.
3. There are no actual class meetings in person unless you miss the final. If you miss the final, the student has to make an appointment to take the final in person. The lectures are presented online, and are in the discussion area.
4. We will communicate with postings to the discussion board. Assignments due to the posting board should be accomplished on time for the class to proceed smoothly. The discussion board discussions are a part of the grade and course requirements.
5. All quizzes and tests will be conducted online. There are “working” quizzes, which allow a longer time period, usually 20 - 30 minutes. Students should not try the working quiz without doing the assigned work. Students will not have enough time to look up each answer. Regular quizzes are usually 3-5 minutes long. The formats are multiple choice, true/false and fill-in the blank. The computer grades the quiz right away and gives you a score. The quizzes become available at the end of each week, as noted on the calendar. There are specific times to take the quizzes. Students who do not complete the quizzes in the assigned time receive a zero for that quiz.
6. Tests are accomplished the same way as the quizzes. The mid term is usually 50-60 questions, and the final is 75. Both tests are divided into two parts, and both must be taken within the prescribed time limits. The tests are timed like the regular quizzes, but the window is much narrower for the tests. All quizzes and tests must be your own work.
7. This course is not easier than a regular in-class course, but it does allow a flexibility that many adult working students, particularly military members, need. If you are not able to keep up with the work, please contact me right away about another option.
8. It is imperative that you keep up with the readings, reviewing the lectures, and doing the quizzes as assigned. Falling behind by one week puts students at a significant disadvantage for the remainder of the course.
B. How To Do Online Work:
1. Obtain reliable access to the Internet. You may already have an Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as AOL or Roadrunner. If not, you can access the Internet through your HPU Campus Pipeline account.
You must have an HPU login and password for this course!
All registered students at HPU are given a free Campus Pipeline account. Not only does Campus Pipeline provide you with Internet access, it offers a calendar of university events, academic information, important dates, and more. Be aware that Campus Pipeline is heavily used, and you may experience some delays in connecting to the Internet during peak service hours. Factor this information into your study schedule. For more information about Campus Pipeline, or to determine your Campus Pipeline login and password, contact cphelp@hpu.edu.
2. Check Your Hardware Setup. Make sure that your home computer meets the minimum hardware requirements for this course by reviewing the hardware specifications for HPU's online program.
3. Check Your Software Setup. This course material is delivered primarily through the use of a computer. You will need a Web Browser, like Internet Explorer or Netscape, installed on your computer.
The WebCT software tracks your time on line, your interactive responses, and your quiz scores. All of this information is automatically uploaded via the Internet and stored on a server, and may be viewed by both you and the instructor at any time throughout the semester.
From time to time, you will be required to access lectures and materials using "streaming media." In order to receive streaming media on your home computer, you will need to install a program called Windows Media Player. View a short tutorial describing how to download and install Windows Media Player. Then, connect to Microsoft to download your free copy of the software. Be sure to select version 7.1 of Windows Media Player.
4. Purchase Your Course Materials. You may purchase your
book, Economics in person at the downtown campus (Blaisdell
Hotel,
5. Technical Support. You do not need to be a computer wizard to take this course online. If you need help setting up an HPU Internet account, contact internet@hpu.edu.
6. How Does the Course Work? The course is conducted online. The material is introduced through reading the text, the CD-ROM, the quizzes, the discussions, the use of streaming media lectures and book exercises. This allows you to learn at your own pace. Quizzes, chat sessions, discussion postings and other assignments are completed online. Students are expected to meet all course deadlines. How you schedule your time to meet these deadlines is up to you.
C. COURSE ISSUES:
1. COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course analyzes economic behavior on a small
or micro level. We focus on consumers, firms and resource owners, and the impact of microeconomics on real world issues. Specifically, the objectives are:
A. Introduce the student to the fundamental nature of microeconomic problems.
B. Familiarize the student with economic concepts of supply and demand, and markets structures.
C. Introduce the student to economic philosophies and theories which shape economic processes.
D. Introduce the student to major economic institutions and examine how these institutions affect our domestic economy.
E. Pertinent economic ideas such as unemployment, inflation, recession, interest rates, deficits, welfare, social security and poverty are recurring, germane themes, and will be discussed at length.
F. Applications of economics to private investing, home buying, and following financial pages add a practical aspect to microeconomics.
G. Generate a sincere interest in economics and raise student awareness of the role of economics in society. This course adds practical knowledge to economic theory and students become informed on important economic issues.
2. CORE CURRICULUM THEMES: HPU undergraduate integrated approach to learning is designed to introduce the student to broad perspectives in various academic fields, develop the students’ critical thinking skills, and enhances their intellectual curiosity. The five themes include Communication Skills, issues of a Global System, understanding of World Cultures, ethical and moral decision relating Values and Choices, and Research and Epistemology. This course vigorously supports these themes with in-class projects and discussions and external assignments.
3. INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Mary C.
Kelly holds a BS from the
4. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Online course. Students are responsible for all reading, homework assignments and lecture material.
5. GRADING: Grades are based on quizzes, homework assignments (to include discussion questions), exams, and projects, as follows:
Exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50%
Quizzes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20%
Research paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20%
Assignments/online discussions. . .10%
The grading scale is the standard 90-100 = A, 80-89 =B, 70-79 =C, and 60-69 = D.
A. Quizzes are graded and scores made available immediately, so quizzes cannot be “made up.” Missed quizzes are averaged as zero.
B. Projects are due as assigned. Late projects are not accepted without prior permission.
C. Class participation and written class assignments count. Students are encouraged to express views and create active dialogue. This class is supposed to help students learn to formulate ideas on economic processes and the effects. Thinking and cogent discussions are part of the college experience.
D. Grades are not curved. There is no extra credit.
6. ACADEMIC HONESTY: Is
demanded. Cheating or any form of plagiarism is absolutely not allowed.
7. INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY: The WebCT email is checked frequently. Email is checked most nights. Make sure to put “Micro online” in the subject line for fastest response. If I do not recognize and email address, I usually delete it.
8. CLASS REQUIREMENTS: Must be fulfilled for a passing grade.
1. RESEARCH PAPER (20% of grade):
You will read two books, available at most libraries. They are The Wealthy Barber, by David Chilton, 3rd Ed., and Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson. After reading both, you will write a paper on what points you consider the most salient, why they are relevant, and how they can be applied in your life. This paper is 5-6 pages, typed, doubled-spaced paper, font 12, with footnotes or endnotes, and includes a bibliography in standard form. All papers are checked for plagiarism, so cite carefully. Papers without either footnotes, endnotes, or MLA citing within the text will not be accepted.
2. ADAM SMITH THOUGHT PAPER:
Two page typed essay on the major accomplishments of Adam Smith based on links found at my website. This is a thought piece. Use the links on the homepage for information on Adam Smith. Do not plagiarize.
Submit projects to the email address to me within the WebCT course. Do not send papers to my AOL account.
3. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Throughout the course, posted on the calendar, there are reading assignments and questions for discussion. Post your answers and thoughts on the appropriate category in the discussion area. Please keep up with these and submit them on time. Feel free to comment on others ideas as well as the assigned readings from Pedestrian Guide to Economics.
DATE SUBJECT
AND ASSIGNMENT
Week 1 Student introductions. Study chapters 1 and 2.
Week 2 Study pp. 51-56 and chapters 3 and 4.
Week 3 Study chapters 5 and 6.
Week 4 Study chapters 7 and 8 pp. 168-170. Adam Smith thought paper due.
Week 5 First exam this week.
Week 6 Study chapters 9 and 10 and chapter 11, pp. 233-240. Pedestrian’s Guide Comments 1 due.
Week 7 Chapters 12 and 13.
Week 8 Study chapter 14 pp. 337-342, and chapter 15. Pedestrian’s Guide Comments 2 due.
Week 9 Study chapters 16, 17, pp. 389-390 and pp. 400-403. Personal Finance paper due.
Week 10 Final exam this week.
Note: Dates and times are posted on the course calendar. Students need to keep up with the requirements in the course calendar.
F. Keys to success in this class.
1. Prepare for class by doing the reading and assignments.
2. Turn in assignments on time.
3. Read the syllabus and course calendar.
4. Review the new terms and definition throughout the week.
5. Start your projects early.
6. Find quiet, uninterrupted time to read, and concentrate completely on the material when studying.
7. Let the instructor know immediately if an unexpected event (such as a deployment) occurs during the course that may preclude your successful completion of this class for options.
8. Have fun.