Progression of the Course
Economics 2306 - 001 & 002
Principles of Microeconomics
Spring 2010
Instructor: Melissa S. Lind, Ph.D.
Office Number: 320 Business Building
Office Telephone Number: 817-272-3284
Email Address:
Web Page:
Text Web Site:
Office Hours: M, W: 11-11:45 am; T,R 11-11:45 am, 8-8:30 pm & after class; any time I am in my office or by appointment
Course Title, Course Number, Section Number, and Meeting Times:
Econ 2306 Principles of Microeconomics
Section 2306-001: 239 Business Building;MWF 9:00- 9:50 am
2306-002: 150 Business Building; MWF 10:00-10:50 am
Description of Course Content: The science of choice; develops demand, supply, and the market mechanism for allocating society’s scarce resources; industry structure, antitrust regulation, the market for resources, social issues, the environment, and finance.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
1. Understand and apply the economic perspective and reason accurately and objectively about economic matters
2. Master the principles essential for understanding the economizing problem, specific economic issues, and policy alternatives, including the ability to:
a. Describe the basic terminology of microeconomics.
b. Apply the concepts of choice and opportunity cost to basic situations involving scarcity and clearly identify feasible choices.
c.Explain how markets operate and be able to identify welfare outcomes for consumers and firms.
d.Compare and contrast different market structures, firm technologies and economics and social policies that affect market equilibrium and welfare outcomes.
Required Textbooks and Other Course Materials: Microeconomics Brief Edition, First Edition, by McConnell, Brue, and Flynn,McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2010; Study Guide for Microeconomics Brief Edition
Text Web Site:
Online quizzes and informationfor you to check your mastery of the material.
Other Materials: You will need a simple calculator. Graph paper templates are available at the class web page. You will also need access to a stapler, as your homework pages must be stapled together – a small one is available at local discount stores.
Information Regarding the Rigor of Microeconomics:
Microeconomics is the study of economics at the individual level. Unlike a “survey” class, this course teaches business foundations – the economic theory of firm behavior. You may have to change the way you study. Memorization techniques do not work well with a class that is mostly theory.
Study Tips:
Read the text, come to class, take notes, read the text. Then, do the problems at the end of the chapter and class assignments. Talk to your classmates, form a study group, use index cards or whatever works for you.
Free Economics Tutoring: Economics graduate students are available 5 days a week, 8 hours a day to help you understand economics! Take advantage of this FREE opportunity. All you have to do is sign in at the front desk in the Econ Dept in room 309.
Descriptions of Major Assignments and Examinations:
1. Participation: You start the course will full participation points. However, missing class repeatedly, disruptive behavior, such as talking during the lecture, leaving class without giving prior notice, and any non-professional conduct will dock your participation score at my discretion. Unannounced quizzes will count toward your participation grade. In addition, if you fail to speak up once during the semester you will forfeit a point. (Total Participation points = 10)
2. Assignments: There will be at least6homework assignments. I will drop the lowest assignment score. Late assignments are not acceptable. (Total assignments points = 90)
4. Exams: There will be three midterm exams and a comprehensive final. The exams are multiple-choice questions and short-answer essay/graphing questions. Midterms 2 and 3 may include material from prior midterms. The final is comprehensive, multiple-choice questions only. If the final exam grade is higher than your lowest midterm, your final grade will replace it. The final exam is required to pass the course. Exam dates will be announced at least a week in advance. No one will be admitted to any exam after the first exam has been turned in. Buy Scantron form No. 882-E, with 50 questions per side. You will also need a simple calculator (no sharing of calculators, no phones). (Total exam points = 400)
Note: Exam material will consistof information from the course textbook plus information from all class lectures. You are responsible – ask a neighbor.
Tentative Exams:
Midterm 1: chapters 1-3
Midterm 2: chapters 4-6
Midterm 3: chapters 7-9
Final Exam: all of the above plus 10-12
Grading Policy:
Midterm 1: 100 points
Midterm 2: 100
Midterm 3: 100
Final Exam: 100
Assignments: 90
Participation: 10
Total 500
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 450 - 500
B = 400 - 449
C = 350 - 399
D = 300 - 349
F = 299 and below
I reserve the right to round-up any scores for students’ benefits.
Extra Credit: There is no formal extra credit. On occasion, I might offer an extra credit quiz. These are unannounced and might occur at anytime. There is NO MAKE-UPshould you miss these.
Make-up Exams: Make-up exams are available if you miss an exam for a valid reason – for instance you are in the hospital as a patient - and you notify me as soon as possible. I reserve the right to determine validity and require proof for the absence. Please see me to schedule a make-up exam.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend each class, and are expected to come to each class with their assignments completed. Roll may be taken randomly and will be used to help determine your participation grade. If you regularly miss class or walk out after signing the roll, then my assumption is that the class is not very important to you (and I will cross your name off the roll).
Missing Class: If you miss a class for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to get notes from a fellow student and to stay informed about the class. This means emailing me should be your very last resort! You don’t need to inform me if you will be missing a class, unless of course you are in the hospital or are having an emergency with a family member.
Lind Classroom Professionalism Policy*:The highest professional standards are expected of all members of the UTA community. The UTA classroom experience is enhanced when:
Students arrive on time. On time arrival ensures that classes are able to start and finish at the scheduled time. On time arrival shows respect for both fellow students and faculty and it enhances learning by reducing avoidable distractions.
Students are fully prepared for each class. Much of our learning takes place during classroom discussions. When students are not prepared they cannot contribute to the overall learning process. This affects not only the individual, but their peers who count on them, as well.
Students respect the views and opinions of their colleagues. Disagreement and debate are encouraged. Intolerance for the views of others is unacceptable.
Laptops are closed and put away. When students are surfing the web, responding to e-mail, instant messaging each other, and otherwise not devoting their full attention to the topic at hand they are doing themselves and their peers a major disservice. Those around them face additional distraction. Fellow students cannot benefit from the insights of the students who are not engaged. Faculty office hours are spent going over class material with students who chose not to pay attention, rather than truly adding value by helping students who want a better understanding of the material or want to explore the issues in more depth. If you are unable to separate yourself from your laptop, then sit in the last row at the back of the classroom.
Phones and wireless devices are turned off. We’ve all heard the annoying ringing in the middle of an exam. Not only is it not professional, it cuts off the flow of discussion when the search for the offender begins. When a true need to communicate with someone outside of class exists (e.g., for some medical need) please inform the professor prior to class.
*Adapted from UT Austin’sMcCombs School of Business
Disclaimer Regarding Syllabus: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as the semester progresses. Students are responsible for being aware of these changes.
Drop Policy: April 2nd is the last day that you can drop this course and still receive an automatic "W." You do not need my signature to drop. If you cannot make it to campus to drop, call 817-272-3061 to have a drop slip faxed to you. After completing it, fax it to 817-272-3145 by 5 pm.
Americans With Disabilities Act: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in room 102 of University Hall orcall them at (817) 272-3364.
Academic Integrity: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlingtonthat academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2)
1. Remain seated during exams.
2. No talking during exams.
3. Backpacks, etc., are to be left at home or placed in a designated area in the classroom during exams.
4. Mistakes filling out scantrons are not valid reasons for grade changes.
5. Bring a government issued photo I.D. (driver’s license or student ID) to be shown when you turn in your exam.
6. I reserve the right to photograph seating arrangements during exams.
7. Possession or use of textbooks, notes, scratch paper, or electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, PDAs, laptops, cameras) during exams will result in an automatic F for the course. (Read that one again!)
Student Support Services Available: The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
E-Culture Policy: The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University email address as an official means of communication with students. Through the use of email, UT-Arlington is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email.
All students are assigned an email account and information about activating and using it is available at New students (first semester at UTA) are able to activate their email account 24 hours after registering for courses. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active as long as a student is enrolled at UT-Arlington. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly.If I need to contact you, I will use your UTA email account. If you prefer another email account, please have your UTA account forward your messages.
Grade Grievance Policy: You have one calendar year from the date the grade is assigned to initiate any grievance. The normal academic channels are department chair, academic dean, and the provost.
Important Dates:
Census Date: February 3rd
Spring Vacation: March 15-19th
Last Day to Drop: April 2nd
Final Exams: Section 001: W, May 12th, 8:00 am – 10:30 am
Section 002: M, May 10th, 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Progression of Course:
Part One: Introduction
Chapter 1- Limits, Alternatives, and Choices
2- The Market System and the Circular Flow
Part Two: Price, Quantity, and Efficiency
3 - Demand, Supply, and Market Equilibrium
4-Elasticity of Demand and Supply
5-Public Goods and Externalities
Part Three: Product Markets
6-Businesses and Their Costs
7 - Pure Competition
8 - Pure Monopoly
9 -Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly
Part Four: Resource Markets
10 - Wage Determination
11-Income Inequality and Poverty
Part Five: International Economics
12 - International Trade and Exchange Rates
MICRO CONFIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE / Spring 2010
FIRST NAME______LAST NAME______
Please answer the following questions as fully as you wish:
Expected Major at UTA: ______
How long you been attending UTA: ______
Are you currently working (full-time/part-time)? ______
Please list any Economics courses you have taken previously: ______
______
Please list any college math courses you have or are currently taking:
______
Have you taken any Stats courses? ______Finance?______
Will you be using a translating dictionary? ______
Any problems you anticipate with this course?
Any questions floating around in your head about the economy, firms, micro – something we might address during the semester or something you’re curious about?
And finally, tell me something about yourself (I like to get to know my students) – for example where you were born, your hobbies, or something unique about yourself:
The following is an excerpt from UTA’s statement on Ethics, Professionalism, and Conduct of Students1. Read the statement carefully, sign it, and return it to me.
STATEMENT ON ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM, AND CONDUCT
FOR PROFESSOR LIND’STUDENTS
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
The College cannot and will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty by its students. This includes, but is not limited to cheating on examinations, plagiarism, or collusion (explained below).
Cheating on an examination includes:
1. Copying from another's paper, any means of communication with another during an examination, giving aid to or receiving aid from another during an examination;
2. Using any material during an examination that is unauthorized by the proctor;
3. Taking or attempting to take an examination for another student or allowing another student to take or attempt to take an examination for oneself.
4. Using, obtaining, or attempting to obtain by any means the whole or any part of a not-yet-administered examination.
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged incorporation of another's work into work which the student offers for credit.
Collusion is the unauthorized collaboration of another in preparing work that a student offers for credit.
Student Responsibility Regarding Academic Dishonesty
1) Students who choose to take the risk associated with scholastic dishonesty and any other violation of the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline must assume responsibility for their behavior and accept the consequences. These consequences are described on the back of this statement and elsewhere including UTA policies and class syllabi. In an academic community, the standards for integrity are high.
2) Students who are aware of scholastic dishonesty and any other academic policy or conduct violations, have the responsibility to report academic policy violations to their professor, a College of Business administrator, or to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. The decision to do so is one of many moral dilemmas to be faced as students define who they are. [paraphrased from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs website1]
One method of reporting an academic policy violation is to submit a narrative of the incident to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, located in E.H.HerefordUniversityCenter, lower level, B160, Box 19355 or to the professor. This narrative can also be submitted via email at or faxed to (817) 272-5221.[1]
I have read and I understand the above statement. In addition, I understand that, in order to ensure fairness to all students, exams will be proctored and possibly videotaped.
Student's signature:______Date: ______
Student's name, printed: ______
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