UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS
SYLLABUS

ECON 102 – PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS                   Dr. Veree Ethridge
3 Credit Hours                                                                                         Spring 2007
9:00 – 9:50 a.m.  MWF

REQUIRED TEXT:   Microeconomics by Fred Gottheil, 4th Edition
                                      Webct course site (http://www.stfrancis.edu)
                                       Log in under MyUSF Portal
                             
OPTIONAL COMPUTER WORK:    CD ROM accompanying text
                 Power points shown in class on O drive under Bus Adm/Ethridge/pmicro
                 Web sites and other sources on Dr. Ethridge’s home page
                 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

            This course will provide the student with a working knowledge of microeconomics:  the study of individual economic decisions.  Major emphasis is given to how individual consumers, firms, and resource suppliers decide how much to produce and spend, and how prices are determined.  The role of the government and its affect on the market will also be examined. 

COURSE AND GENERAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES:

            Upon completion of this course the student should be able to demonstrate the following:

Quantitative Analysis:  how to locate and interpret economic data.

Reasoning Ability:  how to use logic and critical thinking to evaluate claims of policymakers.

Historical Awareness:   how to understand the economic events that shape our nation and world.

Scientific Awareness:  how to understand the use of data to support theories.

Social Awareness & Responsibility:  how to develop the capacity to make informed and responsible social judgments in relation to economic events.

Literacy:  how to express the knowledge learned in both written and spoken form.

 

 

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SPECFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES BY SUBJECT TOPIC AVAILABLE
TO PRINT FROM THE NETWORK (Specific objectives will be given for each lecture and can be found on the common area on the student network under the O drive.  The file is pmicro I-IV as a Microsoft Word document under the file folder Bus. Adm./Ethridge/pmicro)

 

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE: (Check Webct calendar for changes)

Week of               Topic                                                          Text Chapter

Jan. 8                    Review of Supply & Demand                              3
                              Elasticity of Supply & Demand                           4

Jan. 17                   Marginal Utility & Consumer Choice                 5
                              Indifference Theory                                      Appendix                     

Jan. 22                  Price Ceilings & Floors                                        6

Jan 29                  EXAM I – CHAPTERS 3-6 AND LECTURES

Feb. 5                    Business Ownership                                             7
                              Cost of Production                                               8
                             
Feb. 12                  Production Function                                       Class Handout
                              Maximizing Profit                                               9
                         
Feb. 19                  Identifying Markets                                            10

Feb 26                 EXAM II – CHAPTERS 7-10 AND LECTURES

March 12               Price and Output- Monopoly                             11
                              
March 19               Oligopoly                                                           12
                              Antitrust and Regulation                                    13
                             
March 26             Externalities                                                       14

April 2                 EXAM III – CHAPTERS 11-14 AND LECTURES

April  9                 Wages in Competitive Market                           15 & Appendix
                              

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April 16                  Wages in Non-competitive Market                   16
                                Interest, Rent & Profit                                       17
                             
April 23                  Income Distribution & Poverty                         18
                               Less Developed Economies                               21               
                               
Exam week              EXAM IV – CHAPTERS 15-18 & 21 AND LECTURES
                                    ( first 1 hour of exam time when scheduled)

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:

ATTENDANCE:   Class participation grade requires regular attendance or active                            
                                participation.  Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class
                                period.  If you are late you may not get credit for attendance.
                                Some material is presented only in the class lectures.   Cell phones
                                may not be used in the class.
                             
EXAMS:                The format of the exams will be discussed in class.  Any exams
                                missed on the assigned exam days must be made up on the very
                                next class meeting and must have prior approval.  The exams dates
                                could be changed if the class needs additional time to master
                                the material.  A week’s notice is given in class as to exact date.

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
                                During the semester five homework problems will be assigned.
                                Due dates will be announced and late papers (without prior approval)
                                will have points deducted for each day later.  After the homework
                                is returned to the class, it will not be accepted.  Seven Webct
                                quizzes will be assigned.    The highest five will count. 
                                Always check the Webct calendar for due dates.

GRADING POLICY:
                                EXAMS I – IV            400 points
                                Class Participation        50 points
                                Class Assignments      100 points
                                 Webct quizzes              50 points
                                                                    _________
                                              TOTAL         600 points

                                 540 points =  A
                                 480 points =  B
                                 420 points =  C
                                 360 points =  D
                                                           
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OFFICE HOURS:   Monday & Wednesday  10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
                                   Tuesday & Thursday   8:30-9:30 a.m.
                                   And by appointment
                                   Office – N222
                                   Phone – 740-3849
                                   Email -  vethridge@stfrancis.edu
                                   Web site:  http:// www.stfrancis.edu/ba/vereee/index.htm

Academic Integrity:
Students have an obligation to exhibit honesty in carrying out their academic assignments.  Students may be found to have violated this obligation if they plagiarize
or cheat.  Plagiarism is presenting the work of others as one’s own.  Cheating is taking, giving or accepting any illicit advantage for any course work inside or outside of the classroom.

ADA Statement:
The University strives to be in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.  To this end, a student who requires special support or arrangements due to a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services Coordinator, Pat Vivio at 815-740-3864 in the ARC; Library L 214 to coordinate accommodations.  This contact should occur no later than the first week of classes in order to allow for sufficient time to provide accommodations.  Should a need arrive after the start of a semester, the student is encouraged to contact the ADA coordinator as soon as possible.  Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Academic Resources:
If you need academic-related resources or assistance, please contact the Academic Resource Center on the second floor of the USF Library, room 214, or call them at
(815) 740-5060.

USF Mission Statement:
As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit
of knowledge, faith, wisdom and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking.  We strive for academic excellence
in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

College of Business Mission Statement:
The mission of the College of Business is to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs that are career oriented and focus on academic excellence.  Undergraduate programs are designed for traditional and nontraditional students providing a blend of professional studies, technology and a strong liberal arts curriculum.  Graduate programs are designed for working professionals and are practitioner based.  All programs in the College of Business are driven by the University’s Catholic Franciscan mission.  The College seeks to inspire in its students a love of knowledge and truth and to instill the Franciscan values of respect, compassion, integrity and service. 

Policies not covered in this syllabus will be handled in accordance with the USF catalog.