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CONTENT:
  Download Syllabus (.doc file)
  Prerequisites                                             Course Outline
  Textbook                                                   Course Objectives
  Course Grades                                           Disability Act
  Make-up Policy                                          

Spring, 2002                                                 SYN:  21757
Credits:  3.0                                                  Room:  EH 201
Instructor: Dr. Daniel A. Talley                     Office:  EH 306B
Office Hours: 2 - 5 pm MW,                           College of Bus & Info Sys
1:30 - 2:30 pm TR, and 2 - 4 pm F                  Dakota State University
Phone: 256-5314                                           
E-mail: Dan.Talley@dsu.edu


APPROVED COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The study of economics from the micro-economic approach with a detailed look at the markets, the price system, and the allocation of resources.

INSTRUCTOR'S COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is an introduction to microeconomic analysis.  Topics include Supply and Demand Theory, Utility Maximization Theory, detailed discussion of the Theory of the Firm (Cost and Production), and an examination of the different market structures in which real world firms interact (Industrial Organization). The last part of the course will deal with government intervention (regulation and antitrust) and labor market issues.  The course is designed to give the student an understanding of the fundamental operations of the markets in which we daily transact--how they work as well as when they fail.  Given the fact that many of today’s defining events have important economic origins, a knowledge of economics can aid in understanding our world and the occurrences that affect our lives.

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PREREQUISITES:  MATH 102 or 103 (or place appropriately on the DSU math placement test).

TEXT: The textbook for the course is The Microeconomy Today, 8th edition, by Bradley R. Schiller.  All readings are from the text.  A semester subscription to the Wall Street Journal is required for this course.  The instructor will make available a 15-week subscription at the best possible rates in the first week of class.

STUDY GUIDE:  The study guide to supplement a standard text is available, but optional.  It is called A Study Guide to Accompany The Microeconomy Today and is available at the bookstore.

            Required                                               Optional

                               
Title:    The Micro Economy Today                Title:    A Study Guide to Accompany
               8^th Edition                                                     The Microeconomy Today

Author:     Bradley R. Schiller                        Author:     Linda Wilson
                  (Irwin McGraw-Hill)                                    Tom Anderson

ISBN:        0-07-366273-9                            ISBN:      0-07-366276-3

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WEB SITE:  An extensive course web site has been established at http://courses.dsu.edu/econ201/Spring02/.  You will be expected to obtain supplemental lecture outlines, all course assignments, and current course information (e.g. scores and answer keys for homework assignments and exams) from this site.

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GRADES:  Your course grade is based on two midterm examinations, a comprehensive final examination, two computer assignments requiring use of the World-Wide Web and regular participation in weekly discussion topics using the course WebBoard, a discussion board set up exclusively for this course.  These assignments and exams will be the sole basis for your course grade.  Two methods will be used to calculate your score for the course.  The two methods are:

            Method 1                                             Method 2
  Homework Assignments   10%            Homework Assignments  10%
  Internet Assignments        15%            Internet Assignments       15%
  Midterm 1                         20%            Highest Midterm               25%
  Midterm 2                         20%            Lowest Midterm                 0%
  Final                                 35%            Final                                50%
                                          100%                                                  100%

Grades are based on a standard 90, 80, 70, 60 distribution (90% or above is an A, 80 - 89% is a B, etc.).  All exams are multiple-choice format and computer graded. All exams are to be taken in the classroom you attend for lectures.  I will provide SCANTRON answer sheets for all exams.  You must bring #2 pencils to each exam and may bring a calculator.  I reserve the right to curve any exam for difficulty.

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MAKE-UP POLICY:  There will be no make-up exams.  If you miss an exam for any reason, Method 2 will automatically be used to calculate your course score.  However, it is strongly recommended you plan on taking both midterms.  Carefully note the examination dates listed below.  Failing to take the final will result in a failing grade for the course.

EXAMINATION DATES:  The dates of the exams are:
Midterm 1                            Thursday, Mar. 7
Midterm 2                            Thursday, Apr. 18
Final                                    Thursday, May 9 from 10:10 am to 12:10 pm

These dates are immutable.  The dates of the examination will not change under any circumstance.  There will be up to one-hour of lecture on the final day of class.  IMPORTANT:  If you know you will be unable to take the final exam, do not take this course.  (The last day to drop with a full refund is Jan.  18.  Last day to withdraw, without a refund, is Mar. 28.)

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COURSE OUTLINE:
                       Topic                                                Reading
  Introduction and Basic Concepts                Ch 1, with appendix
  
  Production Possibilities Tradeoff
  and Basic Economic Questions                                 Ch 2
  
  Comparative Advantage
  Supply, Demand and the Price
  System                                                                      Ch 3

  The Public Sector                                                     Ch 4

MIDTERM 1   --   THURSDAY, MARCH 7

  Utility Theory                                                            Ch 5

  Production and Costs                                                Ch 6

  Perfect Competition                                               Ch 7 & 8  

  Monopoly                                                                  Ch 9

MIDTERM 2   --   THURSDAY, APRIL 18

  Oligopoly                                                                  Ch 10

  Monopolistic Competition                                         Ch 11

  Competitive Labor Market                                        Ch 15

  (Additional Topics as Time Permits)

FINAL  --  THURSDAY, MAY 9, FROM 10:10 AM TO 12:10 PM

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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:  This course will adhere to the university’s policy on academic integrity.  Academic dishonesty is any violation of academic integrity and consists of, but is not limited to:  Plagiarism, copying answers or work done by another student either on an exam or assignment, allowing another student to copy from you, and using unauthorized materials during an exam.   The professor reserves the right to determine appropriate sanctions and penalties for academic dishonesty, which may range from zero credit for falsified work to automatic failure in the course.  Any incident may also be reported to the DSU Academic Integrity Board for review and possible additional action, at the professor’s discretion. The academic integrity policy can be found here: http://www.departments.dsu.edu/hr/policies/040500.htm

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:  By the end of the course, students will have improved their analytical and critical thinking skills as well as their understanding of the basic operation of markets and the price system in the U.S. economy.  In addition, students will improve their understanding of those terms and basic concepts in economics crucial to success in our market economy.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:  The student may use computers to complete their weekly homework assignments.  Word processing and  spreadsheet programs can be usefully employed for several assignments.  In addition, I encourage students to contact me via e-mail or using the WebBoard bulletin board.  The computer assignments will require the use of an Internet browser, such as Netscape Navigator™ or Internet Explorer^TM.  These assignments will allow you to build skill in finding, retrieving and analyzing current economic information from a wide variety of sources.

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AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:  If there is any student in this class who, due to a disability, has  need for non-standard note taking, test taking, or other course modification, please contact Dr. Nancy Moose, Dakota State University’s Academic Coordinator as soon as possible.  She can be reached at 111 Beadle Hall, (605) 256-5269 or moosen@pluto.dsu.edu.

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Last updated 04/16/2002

Page created  by Aluisius Sudiarto @ July, 2001