Palomar Community College
Microeconomics
Econ 102
Laughlin
Spring 2008
T Th
9:30-10:50 a.m.
Welcome to where the fun never stops!
In microeconomics the focus is on the behavior of individuals, firms and industries regarding productive decision-making. In this course we will investigate what determines demand and supply for a product, producer and consumer behavior, market structure, resource markets, market failure, and public policy.
In addition to the skills specific to microeconomics, you will learn many common or "portable" skills. When you master these "portable" skills you will be able to transfer them to other school or work situations. The "portable" skills for this class include communication skills such as listening, reading and writing, cognitive skills, such as creative thinking, analysis and synthesis, problem solving and quantitative reasoning and interpersonal skills, such as social interaction and teamwork.
This Class is Part of Campus Explorations:
The Impacts of Technology
We will incorporate the discussion of the impacts of technology in our classroom discussions. In addition, there is the opportunity for you to be part of a larger discussion Wednesday afternoons from 2-3 in ES 19.
For the schedule of the Wednesday seminar meetings go to: http://www.palomar.edu/campusexplorations/.
The seminars are open to the entire community.
Students who formally enroll in class #74130 will receive one unit of credit
o We anticipate allowing discussion to extend to 4 p.m. if necessary, and films will be shown beginning at 3:30 p.m.
o All speakers’ presentations, discussions and films will be open to the entire campus community.
o Connected Occasions will be such offerings as panel discussions, performances, exhibitions, guest speakers.
The text used in this course is Economic Today: The Micro View, by Roger Miller. The study guide that accompanies the text is strongly recommended as a way of reinforcing the readings and lectures. In addition, there will be readings that will be provided by the instructor.
Instructor Information:
Teresa Laughlin
Economics, History and Political Science Department
P-17F
e-mail: tlaughlin@palomar .edu
phone: (760) 744-1150 x2851
Office Hours: Monday: 9:00-9:30a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 -9:30 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m
Wednesday: 9:00-9:30a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00-11:00a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m.
Virtual Office Hours: I check my e-mail regularly, so feel free to e-mail me with a question, concern, or comment.
Assignments:
There will be three (50 point) examinations, three (25 point) problem sets, one (50 point) paper, and one (100 point) comprehensive final examination. A standard scale is used to determine grades (i.e. 90% + of the points possible earns an A, 80 - 89% earns a B etc.).
Assignment Explanation:
Exams: The examinations, including the final exam, will be a mix of multiple choice and short essay questions.
Problem Sets: The problem sets are a mix of numerical problems and essay questions. I encourage you to form study groups and work together, but you must separate to write your own essays. I will not accept late problem sets, because we go over them in class. I suggest that you take a xerox copy of your problem set answers to study from before you turn in the original.
Paper: The two-page paper is an analysis of the one of the guest speakers that will be on campus April 9th and 10th. You will briefly describe the speaker’s thesis and critically analyze his/her point of view using the models and concepts that we have learned in this class. You may rewrite this paper as many times as you wish to earn the grade you desire.
Attendance:
To succeed in this class it is important to attend the class regularly, ask questions, read the material and enjoy the process. I encourage questions, comments and any general relevant conversation. It is crucial to be engaged in the learning process. Active learners are much more successful than passive learners. You need to arrive to the class ON TIME, turn off your cell phones and pagers, and immerse yourself in the process. If you are going to be absent for any length of time, please contact me so we can arrange for make-up work.
Additional Housekeeping details:
I will drop the "no show" students on the first day of class; however, after the first day it is the student's responsibility to drop the class if it becomes necessary. The “no notation” drop date is: February 20th, but you can drop with a “W” until March 15th.
I expect that you will adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. According to the Palomar College Course Catalog, that includes:
1. Honesty
2. Trust
3. Fairness
4. Respect
5. Responsibility
( Palomar College Course Catalog)
One Problem that is rampant is Plagiarism. Whenever you use another’s ideas or words without citing your source, it is plagiarism. It is increasingly easy to plagiarize with the internet, but it is also increasingly easy to catch plagiarism. If you plagiarize, you will receive a zero on the assignment and/or an F in the class.
On-Campus Support Services:
Counseling, guidance, & Career Development: 744-1150 x2184
Admissions & Records: 744-1150 x 2171
Matriculation: 744-1150 x2197
Student Affairs: 744-1150 x2595
Student Support Programs & Services: 744-1150 x 2177
Health Center: 744-1150 x2380
Learning colleagues:
It is beneficial to have a contact or two or three in each class so that you can get assistance with assignments, information if you miss a class, or just someone to have coffee with before or after class.
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COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
The week of: Topics: Readings:
Jan. 21 Introduction, scarcity, marginal analysis Chs. 1 & 2
(holiday 1/21/2008) Graphical Analysis, Specialization
Jan. 28 Supply and demand and Elasticity of demand Chs. 3 & 21
Feb. 4 Equilibriums and disequilibriums Ch. 4
Feb 11 public spending and funding of public goods Chs. 5 & 6
problem set #1 due 2/14/2008
Feb 18 Test #1 in class 2/19/2008
(holiday 2/18/2008)
Feb 25 Consumer Decision making Chs. 20 & 23
The nature of the firm, Production costs, Long-run costs
March 3 Continuum of Competition, Perfect competition, profit Chs. 22 & 24
March 10 Monopoly Ch. 25
March 17 Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly Chs. 26 & 27
March 24 Spring Break!
March 31 Antitrust policy Ch. 28
Problem set # 2 due 4/3/2008
April 7 Test #2 in class 4/8/2008
No class of April 10th.
You must instead go to a Political Economy Days presentation
April 14 Labor markets Ch. 29
Paper due 4/17/2008
April 21 Bilateral monopolies Ch. 30
unions vs. management
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony
April 28 Poverty, health care, and the environment Chs. 31 & 32
Problem Set # 3 due 5/1/2008
May 5 Test #3 in class 5/6/2008
May 12 Global Economics Chs. 33 & 34
May 19 Final Examination: Tuesday 5/20/2008, 8:00-9:50 a.m.