Syllabus for Economics 201 s1

Syllabus for Economics 2100 Economics and Society, Section 01 CRN#: 81269

Professor: Chris Clark Fall 2015

Lectures: Section 01: 9:00-9:50 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Atkinson 207

Office: Atkinson Hall 415

Phone: 445-2588 Email: [email protected]

Website: http://cclark.gcsu.edu/

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 – 10:00 AM Monday and Wednesday 10:00 – 10:50 AM Or by appointment

THIS COURSE IS INTENDED FOR NON-BUSINESS MAJORS ONLY.

Course Objectives The key objectives of this course are to give you an understanding of how economists think and how the economy works. I will attempt to teach you how markets function and what occurs when they don’t function properly. We will examine the decision making process and how individuals make choices given their constraints. We will also examine how the government intervenes in markets and why. Upon the completion of this course is my hope that you will be able to apply economic reasoning to real world problems and better understand how the world around you works.

Required Text and Materials The required text for the course is: Economics & Society, by Edwin G. Dolan. (5th Edition. Custom text. paperback. Horizon Textbook Publishing. ISBN 9781618828187).

Articles from The Wall Street Journal, other newspapers, magazines, etc will be assigned and discussed throughout the semester. You will find that the outside articles we read will help you immensely in understanding the real-world applications of the economic analysis that we learn in class.

1 Course Outline

1. The Economic Way of Thinking – Chapter 1 2. Supply and Demand the Basics – Chapter 2 3. Economic Theory Markets and Government – Chapter 4 4. Supply, Demand, and Elasticity – Chapter 3 5. Taxation – Various Chapters 6. In Search of Prosperity and Stability – Chapters 8, 9, and 10 7. Monetary Policy – Chapters 11 and 12 8. Fiscal Policy – Chapter 13 9. Other topics as time and interest allow

Evaluation Criteria Your final grade for the course is based on the distribution below. Your grade is determined on a standard 100 point scale. A: 90% to 100%, B: 80%-89%, C: 70%-79%, D: 60%-69%, F: 59% and below. Grading in the course will be based upon in class quizzes, two midsemester exams and a final exam. Exam questions will reflect information and ideas presented both in lecture and the assigned readings. (Please do not ask me to calculate your grade for you during the semester. You have all the information you need to do that yourself in the following table.)

Task % of Course Grade Quizzes 25% Exam I 25% Exam II 25% Final Exam 25%

Exams There will be two midsemester exams and a final exam. The dates for the exams are shown in the schedule on the last page of the syllabus. If you need to reschedule the final exam because of a conflict, you need to submit your request in writing (email is acceptable) to me two weeks in advance. I will provide calculators that you may use on the exam. If you arrive late on the day of an exam and another student has already turned in their exam you will not be allow to take the exam and you will receive a grade of zero.

Concept Quizzes During the semester I will give approximately 13 concept quizzes. Of these 13 total quizzes, only the 10 highest scores will count. Since approximately three assignment grades may be dropped, I DO NOT GIVE “MAKE- UP” QUIZZES. Concept quizzes will cover material from the preceding week of class lectures, reading assignments, or questions from practice assignments.

Makeup Exams I DO NOT GIVE “MAKE-UP” EXAMS. If you miss an exam due to an excused absence the weight assigned to that exam will be shifted to the final exam. For example if you miss Exam I, you will not be able to take exam I and the final would now be worth 50% of your grade (25% from exam I + original 25% for final). If you miss an exam with an unexcused absence you will receive a zero for the exam. The University defines the following as excused absences: illness of the student or serious illness of a member of the student's immediate family; death of a member of the student's immediate family; University sponsored trips; or major religious holidays. In each foreseen case, written verification will be required at least one week before the scheduled exam and permission to miss an exam must be secured before the scheduled exam time unless the cause of the absence is unforeseen. IF YOU MISS AN EXAM FOR AN UNFORESEEN REASON YOU SHOULD CONTACT ME AS SOON AS YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ME. IF YOU ARRIVE LATE TO TAKE THE EXAM AND ANOTHER STUDENT HAS ALREADY TURNED IN THEIR EXAM AND LEFT THE ROOM YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE EXAM.

Returning Exams and Appeal Procedure Anyone feeling that a dispute exists after the grading of an exam may submit a written grievance. This grievance should identify the item in dispute and arguments supporting the student's position. The appeal should be stapled to your exam and must be submitted within two class periods following the return of the assignment. I agree

2 to prepare a written response to the student's grievance within two class periods from receipt of the grievance.

Cheating

Cheating is in no way tolerated at Georgia College and State University. Anyone caught cheating will be penalized severely. The minimum penalty is an "F" for the course. I require two stipulations to reduce the potential for cheating. You may not wear a hat with any sort of bill in front during exams and you may not have your cell phone out during the exam. Disciplinary procedures and appeals will follow the process found in the GCSU Undergraduate Catalog.

Course Expectations

 Being Prepared: Students are expected to read assigned material prior to class and participate in class discussion and activities. Do not be afraid to participate because of the size of the class and if you have a question, never let it go unanswered. If you do not get an opportunity to ask your question during class, stop by during my office hours or feel free to contact me via electronic mail. Being prepared also means going through the notes from one class period before coming to the next class period. If you look at the new material at least once within forty-eight hours of first seeing it, you will learn the material more thoroughly and studying for the exam will be easier.

 Being in Class: I will not take roll; however, consistent attendance is essential for acceptable performance in the course. Many students find economic concepts difficult to grasp. Missing class will only make the process of absorbing this material more difficult. I will also present material in class that may not be found in the text. If you find yourself falling behind or you are having problems with the material, I encourage you to come to me for assistance. My posted office hours list the times that you are guaranteed to find me in my office. However, if you have a conflict, you may arrange a meeting time outside of office hours.

 Being Courteous:

1) If you do plan to attend class, be on time and do not leave until class is dismissed. Late arrivals and early departures are very disruptive to your fellow students and to me!! If you have a long walk to get to this class from another, let me know in advance. If nature calls so loudly that you must answer, please leave and return to the classroom as quietly as possible.

2) Please avoid carrying on private conversations during class. This behavior shows disrespect for your classmates who would like to hear the lecture and it can have a negative impact on the learning experience of the entire class.

3) Please turn off all cell phones, etc. If you are unable to turn off these electronic devices, please have them on mute or leave them at home. It is very disruptive to your peers and to me to have a cell phone ring during class.

Religious Observance Policy Students are permitted to miss class in observance of religious holidays and other activities observed by a religious group of which the student is a member without academic penalty. Exercising of one’s rights under this policy is subject to the GC Honor Code. Students who miss class in observance of a religious holiday or event are required to make up the coursework missed as a result from the absence. The nature of the make-up assignments and the deadline for completion of such assignments are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Failure to follow the prescribed procedures voids all student rights under this policy. The full policy and prescribed procedures are found at: http://senate.gcsu.edu/prod/motions/support_docs/499/1295533007_Religous%20Observance%20Policy%20for %20senate.docx

Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. Disability Services, a unit of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal

3 access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell Student Union at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233.

Student Opinion Surveys statement Given the technological sophistication of Georgia College students, the student opinion survey is being delivered through an online process. Your constructive feedback plays an indispensable role in shaping quality education at Georgia College. All responses are completely confidential and your name is not stored with your responses in any way. In addition, instructors will not see any results of the opinion survey until after final grades are submitted to the University. An invitation to complete the online opinion survey is distributed to students near the end of the semester. Your participation in this very important process is greatly appreciated.

Academic Honesty (I will be using Turnitin software to check your work for plagiarism.) The integrity of students and their written and oral work is a critical component of the academic process. All written work submitted in this course will be individual work unless otherwise instructed. The submission of another’s work as one’s own is plagiarism and will be dealt with using the procedures outlined on pp. 64-67 in the Undergraduate Catalog. Remember that allowing another student to copy one’s own work is considered cheating. Also see the student Honor Code at the website: http://www.gcsu.edu/studentlife/handbook/code.htm

Fire Drills Fire drills will be conducted annually. In the event of a fire alarm, students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of the building. Do not use elevators. If you encounter heavy smoke, crawl on the floor so as to gain fresh air. Assist disabled persons and others if possible without endangering your own life. Assemble for a head count on the front lawn of main campus or other designated assembly area. For more information on other emergencies, please visit http://www.gcsu.edu/emergency/actionplanmain.htm

Everything Else: http://www.gcsu.edu/business/docs/GCRequiredSyllabusStatements.docx

4 Semester Calendar

Fall 2015

Monday Wednesday Friday

August 17 August 19 August 21

August 24 August 26 August 28

August 31 September 2 September 4

September 7 September 9 September 11 No Class Labor Day September 14 September 16 September 18 EXAM 1

September 21 September 23 September 25

September 28 September 30 October 2

October 5 October 7 October 9

October 12 October 14 October 16 FALL BREAK (October 15th is the last day to NO CLASS drop.) October 19 October 21 October 23 EXAM 2

October 26 October 28 October 30

November 2 November 4 November 6

November 9 November 11 November 13

November 16 November 18 November 20 NO CLASS Conference in New Orleans November 23 November 25 November 27 NO CLASS Conference in New THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING Orleans NO CLASS NO CLASS November 30 December 2 December 4

December 7

5 Final Exam: Friday, December 11, 2015 8:00 AM-10:15 AM