INTRODUCTION
AND GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
|
Course |
Survey of Economics (ECO 100) |
|
Quarter |
Spring 2008 |
|
Instructor |
J. Hubert |
|
Office |
301 Fine Arts Building |
|
Phone |
587 2037 (office); 938 1134 (home) |
|
Email |
|
|
Hubert’s Homepage |
|
|
Economics Homepage |
|
|
Office Hours |
10:00 – 10:50 daily and by appointment |
|
Textbooks |
·
The
Economics of Public Issues;
Miller, Benjamin, &
North, 15th Edition ·
Economics
for Life, Madariaga |
|
|
·
Library
Sited Economics Supplemental Readings (available on reserve in the SCCC
Library) ·
Web
Sited Supplemental ·
The
Wall Street Journal (Subscription Available) |
ECONOMICS
Economics is the study of how to best allocate scarce
resources among competing uses: guns or butter types of questions.
Typical textbook definition
“The theory of Economics does not furnish a body of settled
conclusions immediately applicable to policy.
It is method rather than a doctrine, an apparatus of the mind, a
technique of thinking which helps its possessor to draw correct
conclusions.”
John Maynard Keynes
Economics as an "engine
for the discovery of concrete truth."
Alfred Marshall, "The Present Position of Economics"
(1885)
·
”Ethics deals
with morality and I would contend that capitalism is an amoral economic
model.” *
Business
Administration Program Review 2002
* Note: We will spend
some time addressing this rather thoughtless comment.
INSTRUCTOR’S COMMENT
It is important to note that, as a social science, Economics is concerned with people…it is a behavioral
science! In Economics we attempt to explain and predict behavior.
SURVEY OF ECONOMICS, ECO 100
Economics 100 is a survey course in economic theory designed for
the first or second year college student. The course will cover traditional
economic topics including: money and banking, unemployment, inflation,
capitalism (and other economic systems), interest rates, supply and demand, the
market mechanism, prices, factors of production, and the theory of the firm. Additionally, the course will address a host
of social issues, such as: the health care crisis (?), pollution, airline
deregulation, the S & L crisis, drugs, minimum wage laws, and poverty.
In this course we will attempt to relate economic theory to the
real world - the world of people and businesses making decisions. Students will
have the opportunity to suggest topics or issues for class discussion. In this
process, we will question conventional wisdom!
COURSE
GOALS:
1. To achieve a basic understanding of economic terms, concepts, and
theories.
2. To be able to interpret and analyze basic economic data.
3. To develop an ability to apply economic tools in critical thinking
about a variety of issues and problems.
4. To develop an understanding of social interactions, implications and
responsibility.
5. To develop a fundamental understanding of ethical issues and their
applications to economic issues.
6. To prepare for more advanced economics courses.
COURSE
PREREQUISITES:
There are no formal
prerequisites for Survey of Economics. The following informal prerequisites are
presented for your consideration. If you feel that you are deficient in any of
the following areas, please see the instructor.
It will be assumed that
students in this course have the following skills:
1. General education background of a high school graduate or above.
2. The ability to read English at a 12th grade level and comprehend
material read.
3. The ability to read and construct simple graphs.
4. The ability to learn and use the correct spelling of economics
vocabulary.
5. The ability and desire to study outside of class.
6. The ability to "handle" college level course work.
7. The maturity to attend class and complete assignments in a timely
manner.
COURSE
PHILOSOPHY:
The general philosophy of
the course will be "learning through cooperation rather than
competition." Students will learn together through group work as well as
individual study. Study groups will be organized to address and analyze a
variety of economic issues. Active classroom participation is required. NOTE: This is a college level course…spelling counts!
Consider the following
disclaimer:
"At the same time, recalling my insignificance, I affirm
nothing, but submit all these opinions to the authority of the Catholic Church,
and to the judgment of the more sage; and I wish no one to believe anything I
have written, unless he is personally persuaded
by the evidence of reason."
René Descartes, circa 1625
I share Descartes’ concern
regarding persuasion and evidence - data. I wish no one to believe anything
presented in this class unless he or she is “personally
persuaded by the evidence of reason.”
The emphasis in my classes
is on analysis. This approach tends to challenge my students. To quote R.
Jackson Wilson, Professor of History at
"Students come to us having sat around for twelve years
expressing attitudes toward things rather than analyzing. They are always ready
to tell you how they feel about an issue, but they have never learned how to
construct a rational argument to defend their opinions."
Finally:
"There is a moral obligation to reach one’s own conclusions…”
Nobel
Laureate James M. Buchanan.
I feel that my college
transfer courses must be taught at the same level of rigor and content as
comparable courses at four-year institutions - to do less penalizes our
transfer students.
METHODS OF
INSTRUCTION:
Lecture and collaborative
techniques: I combine traditional lectures with a host of other approaches
including small group work, short individual and group presentations, and
current events from the Wall Street Journal and other publications.
EXAMS AND
QUIZZES:
There will be 7 or 8 short
quizzes (Fridays) during the course of the quarter, beginning on April 4th. NOTE: The quiz will be scheduled for the first one or
two minutes of the class. Since we all tend to have "off" days or
miss class, only the highest 5 quizzes will be included in the grading
algorithm.
NOTE: No makeup
quizzes will be offered.
A 50-minute midterm exam
is scheduled for Monday, May 12th and a
50-minute final exam on Tuesday, June 10th.
NOTE: A post-final exam review and
discussion session is scheduled for Thursday, June
12th at 8:00 am.
NOTE: Test times and dates are inviolate, that is,
alternative test dates or times will not be scheduled.
Scantron forms may be required for quizzes and will be required for the
two exams.
GRADING:
Quizzes (5) 100
points
Mid-term (1) 100
points
Final (1) 100
points
Participation* 100
points
Homework* as
assigned
Important NOTE: Successful completion of
all homework assignments is a necessary, but not sufficient condition, to
receive a passing grade in the course.
GRADING MATRIX *
Grade* Minimum % of total points
3.5 91 %
2.7 77 %
1.5 66 %
0.7 51 %
0.0 less than 51
%
* Approximation only
HOMEWORK:
Homework may be
periodically assigned throughout the course.
Note: All homework must be completed and submitted in a satisfactory
manner in order to PASS the course.
Additional readings will
be assigned on an ad hoc basis. Reading assignments (textbooks and
supplemental) represent your main learning tools. Please do your reading when
it is assigned. Lectures will cover important and/or difficult topics and will
assume that you have done the reading assignment.
Ultimately, you will be
responsible for the topics assigned, whether discussed in lecture or not. Note:
New material may be introduced in lectures. You will be held accountable for
both readings and lectures.
EXAMINATIONS:
Exam One: 9:00 am, Monday, May 12th
Final Exam: 9:00 am, Tuesday, June 10th
Post-Exam Review and Discussion: 8:00 am,
Tuesday, June 12th
NOTES:
a. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a
disability; if you have emergency medical information to share with me; or you
need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated; please make
an appointment with me as soon as possible.
Students with special needs are invited to confer with the appropriate
SCCC counselor to address such needs.
b. District regulations prohibit children in the classroom.
c. College regulations prohibit food or beverages in the
classroom. This is an unpopular
restriction that will be enforced.
d. Academic dishonesty will not be condoned in my classes. Note:
Cheating may be punishable by expulsion from the college.
e. Cell phones and beepers are to be turned-off prior to
entering the classroom.