Econ 201 Online Syllabus Fall 2021 PDF

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College of Business & Economics Department of Economics Econ 201 ONLINE-FALL 2021 REQUIRED ORIENTATION MEETING (choose one): Wednesday, August 25 @9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (US and Canada) https://fullerton.zoom.us/j/81640040151

Meeting ID: 816 4004 0151 (Requires authentication to join: Sign in to Zoom via CSUF portal)

OR Friday, August 27 @9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (US and Canada) https://fullerton.zoom.us/j/81378098517

Meeting ID: 813 7809 8517 (Requires authentication to join: Sign in to Zoom via CSUF portal)

Instructor: Dr. Chiara Gratton-Lavoie Office Hours: Online on Zoom – Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30-12:30 PM and by appointment. Zoom Office Hours link: https://fullerton.zoom.us/j/83348334533 Meeting ID: 833 4833 4533 (Require authentication to join: Sign in to Zoom via CSUF portal)

PLEASE NOTE: any class-related zoom link (for orientations, office hours, special meetings, etc.) requires authentication to join (CSUF users only). Therefore you have to log into your CSUF portal, sign in to Zoom from there and then use the Join A Meeting tab and enter the meeting ID. Alternatively, use the Zoom links provided either here in this document or simply follow the links provided in the Canvas course page (in the individual course navigation menu). To authenticate, when prompted to Sign In, use the following option: Sign in with SSO –> Enter ‘fullerton.zoom.us’ and use your campus portal username and password E-mail: [email protected] Prerequisites: there are no prerequisites for this class REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS Required Textbook: bundle of Schiller 15th ed., Micro Economy Today + Connect Access Code, McGraw-Hill, ISBN #9781307243536 (please note: if you do not get this package and you want a printed version of the textbook, you will need to buy the printed textbook and the Connect online access separately) Required FREQUENT Use of the Following Instructional Systems: 

The Learning Management System (LMS) Canvas

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As a CSUF registered student you are automatically enrolled in Canvas. You may access Canvas from your CSUF student portal. Here is a link to student resource guides for Canvas . Problems? Contact the Student Help Desk at (657) 278-8888 or email [email protected].

IMPORTANT: All forms of communication regarding this course, i.e. all communication between instructor and students (course announcements, individual emails, etc.) will take place via Canvas, which uses CSUF email accounts by default. Therefore, you MUST check your CSUF email on a regular basis (several times a week) for the duration of the course. PLEASE READ BELOW AND MAKE SURE YOUR CANVAS NOTIFICATION PREFERENCE SETTINGS (found in the Canvas Global Navigation left panel, under Account) INCLUDE a RIGHT AWAY choice for ANNOUNCEMENTS. “By default, Canvas notifications are sent to your official CSUF email account at some set frequency (right away, daily summary, weekly summary, or don't send), but you can change these default settings at any time. See How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as a student? for details about changing the contact method for notifications or the frequency with which you are notified. For additional Canvas information, see the Canvas Guides “

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The McGraw-Hill online instructional system Connect In our Canvas course page, the course navigation menu includes a direct link to McGrawHill Connect, which will allow you to access the Connect course site and register. Once you follow the link, you will be first required to enter your email address (please use your CSUF email), next you will be presented with options regarding registration/payment, including a two week temporary free access. PLEASE DO REGISTER ON CONNECT RIGHT AWAY!

You have options when purchasing the book and the Connect access code:

1) The University bookstore is selling the custom bundle (loose-leaf printed text plus Connect access code)

2) Online purchase of e-book and code is available, as well as other online options (for example, a rental option), and you will be presented with all the online options when you follow the McGraw-Hill Connect link from your Canvas course page, as specified above.

CSUF Student Technical support: (657) 278-8888  [email protected]  http://www.fullerton.edu/it/students/helpdesk/index.php  Chat with IT: Log into: http://my.fullerton.edu/ and Click Online IT Help Click on Live

Chat Canvas Technical Support:  Canvas Support Hotline: 855-302-7528  Canvas Support Chat Student McGraw Hill Connect Support:  1-800-331-5094 (option 2 for “student” followed by option 2 again for “Connect”) 2

COURSE DESCRIPTION & COURSE OBJECTIVES This course is an introduction to the branch of economics known as microeconomics. Microeconomics studies how individuals and firms make choices, how they interact and what are the outcomes of their decisions. The fundamental problem of any economy is that productive resources are scarce and societies have to choose how to best allocate their limited resources among alternative uses. We will focus on the problems of scarcity and choice, on the typical consumer’s behavior and the representative firm’s behavior, on different types of markets, on the interaction between demand and supply to determine market’s outcomes, on government policies and their consequences, and on some aspects of international trade. The class uses graphing and other concepts from high school algebra and geometry. The goal of this course is to develop a basic understanding of microeconomics, the main players in the economy, the interactions between them and their implications, using critical thinking, intuition, writing, and analytical skills. Economics is an analytical subject. Although you will have to learn the economists' language, that language is not as important as the logic that underlies economic thinking. Economists assume that people are rational and self-serving, and most of their results are logical extensions of this assumption. You will become familiar with a new way of thinking, the "economic way of thinking". With your new knowledge of economics, you will also gain a better understanding of the news (much of what happens in the world involves economics) and you will become a better-informed citizen and voter (most of the time, political platforms revolve around economic issues). ASSESSMENT-GRADING POLICIES-DELIVERY OF COURSE CONTENT 

Your final grade will be determined by the combination of your performances on exams, quizzes, graded homework assignments, and a writing assignment. All assignments, all quizzes and the midterm examination will be administered online, while the final examination is officially scheduled on campus for Saturday, December 11, 7-9PM in room SGMH 1406. The following table shows a breakdown of your grade determination: Final Examination 22.5% Midterm Examination 22.5% Quizzes 20% (7 or 8 quizzes, lowest quiz score will be dropped) Graded Assignments 25% (5% from Learn Smart) (I will drop the two lowest assignment scores) Written Assignment 10% ___________________________ TOTAL 100%

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Later on in the semester you will receive specific information and detailed instructions regarding the written assignment’s requirements and deadline (i.e. do not worry about it right now ).

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All graded assignments, quizzes and midterm exam will be administered on McGraw-Hill Connect, unless specified otherwise. Notice that any homework questions’ feedback will be made available only at the end of each official submission period.

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I will do my best to be consistent about due day/time for homework assignments. As a rule, assignments will be due for submission on Sundays, at 11:59pm. Of course, exceptions might and WILL apply, so please remember that it is your responsibility to always check assignments’ due dates and times on Connect, and mark your calendar accordingly.

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As a rule, you will be allowed at most three submission attempts for each assignment before the deadline (AT MOST, which implies that sometime the number of allowed attempts could be lower than three). Again, notice that any available feedback will be made accessible only at the end of each official submission period.

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Letter grade distribution: Your final letter grade is a function of your total score over the semester according to the following modified scale (i.e. there is no curve): A+

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

D

F

100-97

96.9992

91.9988

87.9985

84.9980

79.9978

77.9975

74.9968

67.9959

58.990

NOTE: no (+) or (-) below C. 

Midterm Examination (online): Thursday, October 14 starting at 7pm

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Final Examination (in person, SGMH 1406) Saturday, December 11 starting at 7pm

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Course materials will be made available on Canvas:  PowerPoint slides and recorded video lectures  Handouts and Practices  Exam Study Guide Topics  Writing Assignment (article and guidelines)  Other Materials

COMMUNICATION AND RESPONSE TIME 

Office Hours are clearly indicated on the first page of this document.

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It is ESSENTIAL that you check your CSUF email very, very often, as well as notifications and announcements in Canvas. Please make sure that emails/notifications sent by me via Canvas or via regular CSUF email do not end up in your junk folder (check that!).

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During the week, I will typically respond to your inquiries as quickly as I can, usually within 24 hours.

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Do not expect a quick reply during the weekend hours (Friday 5pm to Monday 8am).

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The best way to communicate with me is via Canvas inbox. I prefer students send their questions/concerns directly to me via the Canvas inbox-messaging feature, because this way I automatically know which course your question is originating from.

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My email is [email protected] INBOX!)

BUT PLEASE SEE ABOVE (USE CANVAS

LATE OR MISSED GRADED WORK (ASSIGNMENTS, QUIZZES AND EXAMS) 

No late submission of graded assignments will be accepted, under any circumstance. Since I will drop the two lowest assignments’ scores, you can effectively miss two assignments 4

without grade penalty. Graded assignments will be made available on Connect with ample time (days) for you to work on them. If you choose to procrastinate and wait until the very last minute, you will bear the consequences of your decision (which also means that any temporary technical issue encountered on the platforms, any problem with connectivity or temporary internet malfunctioning, any of that does not constitute a good excuse, unless the technical problem has clearly affected the entire class in a significant way and for a prolonged amount of time). 

No make-up allowed for quizzes, under any circumstance. I will drop the lowest quiz score.

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Please MARK your calendar NOW regarding the date and time of midterm and final exam. As a rule, no make-up exam is allowed. I would consider the possibility only under the direst of extenuating circumstances (severe illness or other extreme emergency of which I should be notified IMMEDIATELY) if and only if you present proper documentation (e.g., doctor’s note). Should I decide to allow a make-up exam, it should be taken within two days of the exam date. If this is not possible, the final exam will carry the additional weight (again provided that you have valid proof).

ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING WORK In case of technical difficulties with the learning management system (LMS) Canvas, I will communicate with students directly through CSUF email, and assignments can be sent through email. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Students are expected to 1. Have basic computer competency which includes: a. the ability to use a personal computer to locate, create, move, copy, delete, name, rename, and save files and folders on hard drives, secondary storage devices such as USB drives, and cloud such as Google Drive (Titan Apps) and Dropbox; b. the ability to use a word processing program to create, edit, format, store, retrieve, and print documents; c. the ability to use their CSUF email accounts to receive, create, edit, print, save, and send an e-mail message with and without an attached file; and d. the ability to use an Internet browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer to search and access web sites in the World Wide Web. NOTICE: Please use ONLY CHROME or FIREFOX and allow pop-ups. Canvas and Connect work best with these two browsers. 2. Have ongoing reliable access to a computer with Internet connectivity for regular course assignments 3. Utilize a recent version of Microsoft® Office 2019 (for P.C.) or 2020 (for Mac) including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to learn content and communicate with colleagues and faculty; have the ability to regularly print assignments; 4. Maintain and access daily their CSUF student email account 5. Use Internet search and retrieval skills to complete assignment 6. Apply educational technology skills to complete expected competencies 7. Utilize other software applications as course requirements dictate

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8. Utilize the learning management system (LMS) Canvas (and/or other required platforms), to access course materials and complete assignments Software and Hardware for Students 

Do you know that you can get FREE and low-cost software for being an active CSUF student? Software downloads and request forms can be found on the CSUF Student Software website.

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Devices are also available for students. If a student requires a laptop, headset, or webcam for their classes, they may fill out a Device Request Form .

NETIQUETTE REQUIREMENTS Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner during the class - taking full advantage of the learning opportunities available. This includes completing all online discussions and assignments, adhering to proper netiquette, and so on. Netiquette refers to a set of behaviors that are appropriate for online activity - especially with email and threaded discussions. The core rules of netiquette can be found at the Netiquette website. Please read through these netiquette rules to ensure that you are familiar with what will be the expected online behavior for this course. COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES: 

Academic Integrity: Students are expected to adhere to the standards of academic integrity that govern students registered at CSUF. Plagiarism on the writing assignment, the use of books and notes, communications with fellow students during quizzes and exams or about the writing assignment, or communication of quiz and exam questions to students of other sections defeats the intent of learning. Students who violate CSUF standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including a failing grade for the course and other disciplinary action. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students and the university, policies on academic integrity will be strictly enforced: academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Academic dishonesty, when detected and substantiated, will result in a grade of F for the course, and may lead to additional disciplinary action, according to University policy. For more information see this

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Academic Accommodations: Students requiring special accommodation must contact the Office of Disability Support Services in UH 101, phone: 278-3117. For the disability support website click here.

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Emergency Policies: Please see here for details on emergency procedures. In the event that an emergency disrupts normal campus operations or causes the University to close for a prolonged period of time due to circumstances such as an earthquake I will contact you by email and post on Canvas information on how the class will proceed.

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General Education Information: This course meets the University’s General Education requirement in Category D.1, Introduction to the Social Sciences. The learning goals include: a) Understand the purpose of the social sciences and the distinguishing features of the social sciences; b) Understand and explain major social science concepts, methods, and theories and apply them to concrete problems of contemporary society; c) Reflect on what it means to be a social, historical, cultural, psychological, and political being; d) Reflect on their own social, cultural, and political experiences in light of social science concepts, methods, and theories; e) Understand the integrated nature of social, political, and economic behaviors

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and institutions in different geographical and historical contexts; f) Understand processes of social, political, and cultural change and differentiation in a variety of cultural contexts. In compliance with University policy on General Education courses, this course includes a significant writing component involving the organization and expression of complex ideas, information, and arguments. It incorporates a timely evaluation of writing that identifies deficiencies and offers suggestions for improvements, providing an opportunity for students to revise their work and improve their writing. 

Assessment: The programs offered at the College of Business and Economics at Cal State Fullerton are designed to provide every student with the knowledge and skills essential for a successful career in business. Since assessment plays a vital role in College’s drive to offer the best, several assessment tools are implemented to constantly evaluate our program as well as our students’ progress. Students, faculty and staff should expect to participate in assessment activities. In doing so, the College is able to measure its strengths and weaknesses, while continuing to cultivate a climate of excellence in its students and programs.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE* *Your instructor reserves the right to change this tentative course outline at any time during the semester. You will be notified of any changes in advance. Topics

Readings

Week

Economics: The Core Issues Appendix: Using Graphs

Chapter 1

Week 1 & Week 2

Chapter 3

Week 3 & Week 4

Chapter 4

Week 5

Chapter 6

Week 6 & Week 7

(Scarcity, Choice, Opportunity Cost, efficiency, PPC) How Markets Work (Circular Diagram Model,

Demand and Supply Analysis, Equilibrium; Shifts in Demand and Supply, Price Controls) The Role of Government

(Market Failure, Public Goods, Externalities, Taxation) Elasticity

Computing Elasticities; Understanding Elasticities; Elasticity and Total Revenue

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Review

Thursday, October 14 starting at 7pm

Week 8 (week of October11)

EXAM #1 Costs of Production

Production Function; Total Cost, Profits, Long and Short Run Costs, Various Cost Functions, Cost Curves and Shapes

Chapter 7

Week 9 & Week 10

Chapter 8

Week 11

Chapter 8 & Chapter 9

Week 12

Chapter 10

Week 13

The Competitive Firm

Profit Maximization in Competitive Markets Competitive Markets

Long-Run Perfect Competition Monopoly

Monopoly Profit Maximization International Trade

PPC, gains from trade, absolute and comparativ...