PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS I

 SYLLABUS -- Fall 2008

Sandra Claflin-Chalton, Ph.D.

Course Description

• Principles of Economics I is an introductory course providing the tools of basic economics analysis including the concepts of scarcity, opportunity costs, choice, and supply and demand.
  
• Principles of Economics I emphasizes macroeconomics which looks at large issues such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policies and issues which effect our entire economy.

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The objective of this course is to provide to you, the student, the basic knowledge of macroeconomic theories and concepts.

• It will enable you to watch any news broadcasts dealing with general economics issues, such as CNN and the Nightly Business News, and understand both the explicit as well as implicit implications of changing economic parameters.
  
• This course will provide to you the basic vocabulary so you can engage in a meaningful discussion about general economic issues. It will also allow you to read and understand economic articles in popular news magazines such as Time and U.S. News and World Report, or in publications such as the Wall Street Journal.

• There will be four multiple choice tests worth 50 points each. At least half of the questions will come directly from the Workbook. 
  
• In addition to the tests, extra credit points are also possible from attendance, test score improvement and small outside assignments. 
  
• You can expect to spend at least 1½ hours of outside study time for every one hour of class time.

• You are not required to attend class, but you will receive 1/4 point extra credit for each time you attend.  However, please note that if you miss more than 5 times (6+) you will not receive any extra credit points.
  
• A sign-up sheet will be passed around near the end of each class period. It is your responsibility to be sure you have signed it.
  
• Please do not sign in for another person.
  
• There are no excused absences for any reason (this includes University sponsored outside activities) so use your five absences with care.

• The textbook for this course is Exploring Economics 4th edition by Robert Sexton. It is available at Instructional Resources.

• Grades are based on tests scores and follow a simple percentage: 90%+ A range; 80 to 89% B range; 65-79% C range; 55 to 64% D range and below 55% F.
  
• Students taking the course for C/NC must have at least 67% to receive Credit. All extra credit points move you up within these ranges.

• You can expect an exam about every 3 weeks or after the completion of the following Chapter sets.  The tentative exams dates will be provided under "Dates and News".

 

• Exam 1 will cover Chapters 1, 2, and 3
• Exam 2 will cover Chapters  4, 5, 8.1 and 8.2, and 9.1 and 9.2
• Exam 3 will cover Chapters 21, 22 and 25
• Exam 4 will cover Chapters 27, 28, and 29

 

• There is only one make-up test date and time.  All missed exams must be taken at this time.  

 Friday, December 5, 2008 from 1:30 to 3 PM

 

Study Hints

• Read the Table of Contents associated with the current Chapter before coming to class to familiarize yourself with general areas that will be covered.

• Read each Concept Check for all the Concepts within the Chapter before and then again after the lecture so you have the basic ideas of each Concept well in-hand.

• Keep up with the reading and questions at the end of each chapter. Plan to spend about 1½ hour everyday and more if you run into specific problems.

• If you do not understand something, do not wait, bring your questions to me during my office hours or ask for clarification during class -- you will be doing yourself and all your classmates a big favor.

 

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Last Updated: January 2008