Principles of Microeconomics - Fall 2003

Instructor: Kaya V. P. Ford, Assistant Professor

Room 252 (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30-9:30 am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12:30-1 pm - and by appointment
Phone: 703-845-6288 (office) -- Fax: 703-845-6186
E-mail:kford@nvcc.edu   -- Credits: 3

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. 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.

PREREQUISITES: Students enrolling in this course are expected to have college level reading and writing ability (ENG-013 or equivalent is desirable) as well as familiarity with computer spell checking. The expected mathematical knowledge is basic math.

TEXT: The textbook for the course is The Economy Today, by Bradley R. Schiller, 9th ed.

STUDY GUIDE: A study guide to supplement the text is available, but optional. It does contain a large number of practice problems that would be very useful for learning the material in this course.

WEB SITE: The course web site is located at http://www.nvcc.edu/home/nvfordc. 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. I encourage you to check it twice a week, as it frequently includes important announcements regarding the next class period.

GRADES: Your course grade is based on two midterm examinations, a non-comprehensive final examination, and your scores on weekly homework assignments and two computer assignments requiring use of the Internet. 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:

The method that yields the highest score will be used as your score for the course. Grades are based on a standard 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 distribution (90% or above is an A, 80 - 89% is a B, etc.). All exams are to be taken in the classroom you attend for lectures, and are multiple-choice format and machine graded. You will need SCANTRON answer sheets for all exams. You must bring #2 pencils to each exam. I reserve the right to curve any exam for difficulty.

EXAMINATION DATES: The dates of the exams will be dictated by how quickly or slowly we proceed through the chapters assihned. We will be following the sequence listed on the syllabus, and I will give you at least two days' notice for the exam. The final exam will follow the college schedule.

IMPORTANT: If you know you will be unable to take the final, do NOT take this course.
(The last day to make adjustments with tuition refund is September 5. and to withdraw without grade penalty, or change to audit is September 29. If you need to withdraw after this date, you must get my signature.)

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE (College Closed, no classes): Labor Day, August 31 - September 1, 2003. Thanksgiving Day Holidays, November 27 - 30, 2003. Non-Instructional Days (No classes), October 13 - 14, 2003 and November 26, 2003.

COURSE OUTLINE:

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.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY: This course will adhere to the college'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 Dean of Students for review and possible additional action, at the professor's discretion.

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. The computer assignments will require the use of an Internet browser, such as Netscape Navigator™ or Internet ExplorerTM. These assignments will allow the student to build skill in finding, retrieving and analyzing current economic information from a wide variety of sources.

ADA ISSUES: 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 feel free to come and discuss this with me privately, as soon as possible. Also, please contact the DSU ADA Coordinators, Rebeccah Garcia & Lecrecia Robinson 703-845-6301 TDD 703-845-6016.

ATTENDANCE POLICY : Students are expected to attend all classes. Missing classes will hurt your performance on course assignments.  If you have more than 6 absences or tardiness, or 3 consecutive and unexplained absences during the semester, you may be withdrawn administratively, or fail the course, depending on individual circumstances. This is not an open classroom. Arriving late and leaving early are disruptive to your fellow students.  I will call the roll within the first 5 minutes, and an absence will be marked if you arrive after that. Chewing tobacco, gum, are not proper activities for a classroom.  Cell phones and beepers must be turned OFF during class. Courteous and respectful behavior is expected. Absolutely no sleeping will be allowed in the classroom.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LINK.

Last updated on August 23, 2003