University of Wisconsin - Fond du Lac

                                             Economics 101 - Survey of Economics

                                                                      Fall 2007

 

                                                        COURSE INFORMATION

 

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Sayeed Payesteh                                     OFFICE: C-211

http://www.fdl.uwc.edu/faculty/spayeste/                                PHONE: 929‑3655

e-mail: spayeste@uwc.edu

OFFICE HOURS: MW 9:00-10:00 am, TR 11:45-12:30 am, T 5:00-5:45 pm, and by appointment.

CLASS TIMES: TR 9:00-10:15 S-238

                                                                                                           

TEXTBOOK: To better fit the course content, and also the reduce the cost of textbook for students, I have created a Primis customized ebook for this course. The screen-shot instructions for the students to access

the McGraw-Hill e-bookstore and my custom text (Gull: Issues in Economics Today, 2008) will be provided in class.

           

OBJECTIVES: 

The primary purpose of this course is to develop a basic understanding of the major economic concepts and theories used in analyzing economic issues.  Among the subjects included

are competitive and non-competitive markets, minimum wage and unemployment, government regulation, business cycle, gross product determination, the U.S. financial systems and the

role of Federal Reserve in controlling inflation, and global trade.

 

Proficiencies:

A UW Colleges-wide assessment program has been put into place to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the curriculum, programs and services of the institution.  The following areas of proficiency will be assessed because they are of primary importance in the education of our students:  Analytical Skills, Quantitative Skills, Communication Skills, and the Aesthetic Engagement.  The Business and Economics Department has also determined a number of core proficiencies for students enrolled in its classes.  For more information, go to http://www.uwc.edu/resources/assess/.

 

Class Participation

Participation in class is an important part of your learning experience.  Regular attendance is expected along with active class participation.  Reading the assigned material before class and completing assigned homework on time will help you to get the most out of your experience in this class.   

 

Class Conduct

Please turn off cell phones and any audible device during class. Also note that private conversation during class is distracting to both the instructor and the other students. Likewise, walking in late and leaving before the class has ended impede the learning of all students.  If you know that you will need to leave class early please sit near the exit

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments include reading the text, completing the assigned problem sets, and the Internet Assignments.  The Internet Assignments provide students with the opportunity to use the World Wide Web as a research tool to perform economic analysis.  These assignments allow the students to learn by taking advantage of new technology and to experience the link between the real world and economic theory.


Exams:

The course grade will be based on a presentation and 4 exams on the dates shown below. All exams are closed book and closed note. You will be allowed to use half of a page of notes containing definitions and/or formulas only. Document containing solutions to problems (examples, homework, etc.) are not allowed. 

As a general policy, there are no make-up exams. Anyone missing an exam will receive a zero score.

Make-up exam may be considered on exceptional basis only for the following reasons:

a. Participation in an authorized University activity.

b. Confinement due to illness, under a doctor’s care.

c. Death in the immediate family.

d. Participation in legal proceedings that requires your presence.

Documentation is required (e.g., letter from a university official, a doctor, lawyer, or funeral director). This policy will be strictly enforced.

 

Presentations:

Groups of two will orally present recent topics, (topics must be approved by me) analyzed with economic methods. Presentation length is 15 minutes. Additional details will be given in class.

 

Grading

                                                                                               

Presentation

20%

 

The course grading scale is roughly as follows.

Exams(4@20% each)

80%

 

Above 90%

A-, A

 

 

 

77-89%

B-, B, B+

 

 

 

65-76%

C-, C, C+

 

 

 

50-64%

D-, D, D+

Total

100%

 

Below 50%

F

 

REQUIRED READINGS                                                       EXPECTED DATE OF COVERAGE

I. Basics Concepts:

        Graphing: Yes You Can Do (Appendix 1 A)                               Sept. 4

        Economics: The Study of Opportunity cost                                 Sept. 6, 11

         Supply & Demand                                                                      Sept. 13, 18, 20

        Review                                                                                         Sept 25           

        EXAM I                                                                                      Sept. 27

II. Microeconomics:

        The Concept of Elasticity                                                            Oct. 2, 4

        Firm Production, Cost, and Revenue                                           Oct. 19, 11

        Perfect Competition, Monopoly                                                   Oct. 16, 18

        EXAM II                                                                                     Oct. 23

III. Macroeconomics:

        Every Macroeconomics Word You Ever Heard                           Oct. 25, 30                  

        Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply                                      Nov. 6, 8

        Fiscal Policy                                                                                Nov. 13

        Monetary Policy                                                                          Nov. 15

        EXAM III                                                                                   Nov. 20

THANKSGIVING RECESS                                                                 Nov. 22-23

IV. International Economics

        Interest Rate and Present Value                                                   Nov. 27, 29

        International Trade (Chapter 13 & Handout)                               Dec. 4, 6

        International Finance (Handout)                                                  Dec. 11, 13

        Final Exam: Will be announced in class