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Instructor: Dr. Perry Burnett Course Title: ECON 208 Principles of Microeconomics

ECON 208: Course Syllabus Course Description: The course will introduce students to economic reasoning from a microeconomic perspective. Economic reasoning is a skill in which a framework or model is used to understand and engage in decision-making. While this skill can be useful in most decision-making, the focus of this course will be on choices faced by individual consumers and firms (microeconomics). The course will emphasize a broad-based learning experience while exposing students to the particular perspectives of economics as a social science.

This hybrid course will pace students though the basic concepts of microeconomics. We will be using MindTap from Cengage to facilitate interaction with the textbook material and for grading purposes; therefore, you will need to register online. TO REGISTER ONLINE, PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING LINK (or cut and paste in browser):

https://www.cengage.com/dashboard/#/course-confirmation/MTPQXFPQP2F4/initial-

course-confirmation

After registering your university email, you should see the following:

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STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

Scroll down and start trial. You should see the following:

You can gain immediate access to the course. NOTE: This unpaid access ends, so you will need to pay for access. This access gets you the etext along with an incredible amount of interactive and video material along with the required graded assignments. Here is where you pay for full access. Pressing should bring you to the following page:

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STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

The course is included in the Cengage Unlimited option and you simply purchase access (see screenshot). Note you can purchase 4-month access from just this course for $119.99. You can purchase other options instead at your own discretion. You can also gain temporary access without payment, but to avoid missing assignments later due to restricted access after trial period is over, it is best to pay upfront. Once in the course you should see the following:

There are two views of the course. The above is called the Outline View. I prefer the

Rolling Week View. Click the Rolling Week View and you will see the following:

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STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

You can switch between Rolling Week view and Outline View as you prefer. NOTE: Week 1 consists of the timeframe from August 23rd-August 23rd (see under Week 1). The course does not officially start until August 24th (or Week 2). I have allowed early access to ensure everyone can enter and prepare for the course by reviewing the structure and set up of the course.

Starting in Week 2, the course will tell what assignments are due and the date they are due. Only the assignment that have an orange dot and say COUNTS TOWARD GRADE are the assignment that count towards your grade. The other assignments are for your learning and practice. ALSO NOTE: There are three INTRODUCTION/TUORIAL Assignment to help with the learning curve. These count towards your grade. All course material will be available from Day one.

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If you would like, the electronic version will “read” the textbook to you by clicking on the “mouth” icon after clicking on the chapter link. Note: the mouth icon is located on the upper right of your view.

SUPPLEMENTAL VIDEOS: Along with the textbook readings there are supplemental videos.

A) Video Lessons: These are short lectures over the textbook material.

B) Video Problem Walk-Throughs: These are short videos that work through problems available each week and related to the current course material.

These videos will assist you in completing the Online Course Assignments (see below) and should be viewed PRIOR to attempting the course assignments.

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STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

Course Assignments: A Homework: This type of homework is “traditional” in the sense that it is multiple choice based on the material; however, you get three chances to answer each question correctly and can save your answer and come back to it later. TO EXIT THE ASSIGNMENT, CLICK SMALL “X” IN THE TOP RIGHT OF THE SCREEN.

NOTE: TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT YOU MUST SUBMIT IT FOR GRADING BY PRESSING THE BLUE “I’M DONE, GRADE ASSIGNMENT NOW” BUTTON IN AT THE TOP.

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B. Problems and Applications: These assignment are more interactive and there

are multiple chances per question, however, it is best to get the answer correct the first time as your score will be the average of your answers.

For Example: In the problem below, the student got Question 1 incorrect the first time and scored a “0” out of “1”, but was able to get it correct on the second and third attempt to bring the score of the question to “0.7” out of “1”. In Question 2, the student got it correct the first attempt and scored a “2” out of “2” and would not increase the score by attempting it again (but could decrease the score if she got it wrong on the second attempt).

NOTE: TO GET MULTIPLE CHANCES YOU MUST CHOOSE THE “GRADE IT NOW” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH QUESTION.

STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

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After you press the “Grade it Now” button you will be given an explanation and you current scores. To get another attempt press the “Try Another Version”. If you are satisfied with your score or want to move on press “Continue”

NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR APLIA HOMEWORK JUST LIKE YOU DID THE

HOMEWORK BY PRESSING THE BLUE “I’M DONE, GRADE ASSIGNMENT NOW” BUTTON IN AT THE TOP EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE ALL YOUR SCORES SHOWN.

Note: Math/Graphing Tutorial: There is a special graded tutorial in Week 2 that works similar to the Aplia homework described above.

STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

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C. Policy and Application Quizzes: There will be a midterm and a final Policy and Application quiz that will consist of lecture-based material. They will turned in online on the following days. I will post the questions a week before these dates. Each question will be worth up to 40 points and graded per the requirements below:

1) October 18th – Choose 3 of 5 (90 points) 2) Day of Final Exam – Choose 5 of 9 (150 points)

Policy and Application Quizzes: Each essay question will be graded on the following scale: “30”: A “40” answer demonstrates that the student has mastered the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by a clear and complete discussion and analysis that includes comprehensive use of all relevant information. If a graph is required, the graph is clear and correctly analyses the concept. Minimal minor errors may be acceptable. “20”: A “30” answer demonstrates that the student has a competent grasp of the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by a clear and mostly complete discussion with basic use of most of the relevant information. If a graph is required, the graph is generally correct with correct basic analysis. Some minor errors and/or a major error may be acceptable. “10”: A “20” answer demonstrates that the student has a minimal understanding of the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by a basic or skeletal discussion and analysis with minimum use of relevant information. If a graph is required, the graph may have significant mistakes, but at least demonstrates coherent logic. Many minor errors and/or or a couple major errors may be acceptable.

“5”: A “10” answer demonstrates that the student has insufficient learning of the concept or material questioned. This is demonstrated by the student revealing some understanding, but not minimal understanding. The student may have applied one section of the major concepts correctly, but lacks overall understanding or completion of the material “0”: A “0” is given when the student fails to demonstrate at least insufficient learning of the concept or material questioned. Minor errors are incorrect details or missing minor information. Major errors are incorrect concepts or missing vital information.

Course Grade: The course will have the following grade distribution: 89.5% and above: A 84.5% - 89.49%: B+ 79.5% - 84.49%: B 74.5% - 79.49%: C+ 69.5% - 74.49%: C 64.5% - 69.49%: D+ 59.5% - 69.49%: D 59.45% and below: F

STUDENT INITIALS___________________________

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Class Policies: Attendance: Attendance is expected. Syllabus Agreement Sheet: Students must sign the Syllabus Agreement Sheet to complete the class and receive a grade. Students who do not sign may receive an Incomplete for the course. Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated in any form. Cheating includes, but is not limited to copying, plagiarizing, bringing in answers or unauthorized formulas/equations or any other method deemed inappropriate. Students caught cheating will be subject to the consequences and procedures outlined in the Students Rights and Responsibilities: A Code of Student Behavior: http://www.usi.edu/creativity/Student%20Rights%20and%20Responsibilities.pdf Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: “If you have a disability, you are encouraged to register for the disability resources available in the Counseling Center. If you request an accommodation for a disability, early notification to your instructor is essential and you may be required to provide written documentation to support your request. Your instructor will work with you to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform and participate in class.” Student Conduct: Behavior that interferes with the learning of other students will result in expulsion from the class period and repeat offences may result in further disciplinary actions. Cell phones should be turned off. Title IX – Sexual Misconduct USI does not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, you may seek help by contacting USI’s Title IX Coordinator, Carrie Lynn, at 812-464-1703 or at cnlynn@usi.edu. It is important to know that federal regulations and University policy require faculty to promptly report incidences of potential sexual misconduct known to them to the Title IX Coordinator. The University will work with you to protect your privacy by sharing information with only those who need to know to ensure we can respond and assist. If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with a counselor in the University Counseling Center by calling 812-464-1867. Find more information about sexual violence, including campus and community resources, at www.usi.edu/stopsexualassault . Student Health Statement: In compliance with the Vanderburgh County Department of Health, the Indiana Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, students should NOT attend class or any campus gatherings while ill with flu symptoms. Students with flu symptoms will be asked to self isolate in housing or go home. It is very important that individuals avoid spreading the flu to others.

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Changes to the Syllabus: The syllabus may be changed any time during the semester at the instructor’s discretion. If a change occurs, an announcement will be made in class and a new syllabus will posted on Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to check Blackboard for the current syllabus.

Course Content Objectives:

1. Provide a framework for decision-making. A. You should better understand the decisions you make. B. You should understand some of the issues faced by the

economy/society as a whole and the complexities involved in “solving” them.

C. You should understand the role of government in these decisions. 2. Interpret and analyze real-world economic events and issues.

A. You should be able to read and understand an article with economic content in sources such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, etc.

B. You should be able to formulate and articulate an argument based in economic reasoning for/against current economic/political issues, and to understand how others might logically arrive at a different conclusion. Thus, you should be able to have an intellectual debate on current issues.

Course Skill Objectives:

1. Analytical Problem Solving

Contact Information: Dr. Perry A. Burnett

Office Location: BE2040 Email: paburnett@usi.edu

I, _____________________, have received, read, understand, and accept the policies provided in the syllabus. I have been given the opportunity to challenge and/or clarify the syllabus. I, _____________________, accept full responsibility for my grade in this class. It is my responsibility to seek out help if I

need it. I understand that the instructor wants me to succeed academically and is here to help me accomplish my academic goals for the course. Sign Name______________________________ Date_________