ECONOMICS 103-080 WEB-ENHANCED TELECOURSE IN                            MICROECONOMICS

                  

Triton College

Eco 103-080, Telecourse in Microeconomics

Prerequisite;  None

Instructor;  Tom Porebski

Phone; 708-456-0300, extension 3509:  Please feel free to call me if you are having any difficulties in the course or have any questions about the course.  Messages can be left on my school phone if I am not there at the time you call.

Office;  D-105, In the Science building (formerly S 105) 

E-Mail: You can send me e-mail at tporebsk@triton.edu or At tporebski@aol.com

Office hours; 1.  Fall and spring semester, 9-12 on Monday and Wednesday or by appt.

       

Please note these times are subject to change depending on changes in my classes.

 

If these times are not convenient for you, please call to make an appointment.

Hot line;  708-456-0300, EXTENSION 3416.  Messages can be left with the telecourse hot line twenty-four hours a day.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:   In recent years, I have been making revisions to the Eco 102-103 telecourses.  These telecourses are now web-enhanced, and students will have to sign on to WebCt to take some quizzes.  Students will also have the option of taking the exams either in the ETRC as most traditional telecourses do OR taking the exams online (with the exception of the final exam, which must be taken in the ETRC.  This will be explained later.)  READ THE SYLLABUS VERY THOROUGHLY TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE OPTIONS. 

 

Your first assignment is to send me an email as soon as you read this syllabus so that i can email you information if needed.  You can email me at either tporebsk@triton.edu  or tporebski@aol.com.  You can also use the private mail inside webct once you have logged into webct as explained in this syllabus.

 

TEXTBOOKS;

 

The required books for this course are;

 

1.         Economics U$A, 7thh edition, by Edwin Mansfield and Nariman Behrevesh

2.         Telecourse study guide for Economics U$A, 7th edition, prepared by the Southern California consortium.

This syllabus will explain grading procedure, exams, and hopefully answer most of your questions concerning the course.  If you have any other questions, you can call me at the numbers above.

 

Welcome to Eco 103-080, a telecourse in microeconomics., which can now also be taken as an internet course.  This telecourse uses the economics U$A television series.  The series consists of 28 half-hour television programs on both macro and microeconomics, therefore this course will use only a portion of the 28 lessons.  The remainder are used in Eco 102-080, a telecourse in macroeconomics.

 

The above texts are required for this course.  They should be available in the Triton bookstore.

 

Telecourse goals

 

The economics U$A series attempts to reinforce several major themes;

 

• The economy is part of our everyday lives.

 

Try as you may, you cannot escape economics.  Each day you will make countless economic decisions;  this alone is reason enough to study the economy.

 

• We are influenced significantly by our own and other's economic decisions.

 

Consider for a moment such things as the prices you pay for goods and services, the income you make during your life, the type of jobs your have, the taxes you pay, etc.  You should quickly realize the enormous impact such variables have on our lives.

 

• Economic principles help explain both day-to day occurrences, and significant historical events.

 

If you turn on the tv or open the newspaper, chances are that some major economic story will appear.  Major elections are often decided on the basis of economic events.  After studying economics, students should have a better understanding of current events around them and be able to analyze the abundance of economic data given out by the media each day.

 

Options for taking this class:  Web enhanced telecourse or Internet course

 

As noted earlier, this class can be taken either as a web enhanced telecourse or as an online course.  Here’s a brief summary of the two options:

 

1.       Web Enhanced telecourse:  In this format, you get the book, read the chapters for each exam as assigned, watch the videos either here on campus OR online if you prefer, take a series of quizzes online using Webct, and take the exams here on campus in the Educational Technology Resource Center in M-142 (formerly the AT bldg).  Exams are closed book.   You can also take practice quizzes at the textbook website for extra credit, explained later.

 

2.       As an Internet course:  In this format, you get the book, read the chapters for each exam as assigned, watch the videos either online or on campus, take a series of quizzes online using Webct, and take the exams online as scheduled in this syllabus.  The final exam however, must be taken on campus just as in a regular telecourse.  Of course in this format, since you will be taking most of the exams online, they become open book, but you will have less time for the exams in this format than you would on campus. This is to compensate for the fact that you can have your book and materials with you during online exams.  I urge you to be ready for the exam however, and not rely on your book for looking up answers.  The exams are timed and the time limit is strictly enforced.

 

In either version of the course, you will have access to the WebCt program we use in internet courses.  Even if you are taking the course in the traditional telecourse format, you can access the videos online. 

 

Also there is a new Norton website (the publisher of the text) that has practice quizzes for each chapter.  In either version of the course you can take these quizzes and email me the results for extra credit.  This will be explained more later.

 

Also in WebCt  are my own practice exams and review sheets for the exams.  These practice exams do not count for points, but they will help you get ready for the tests.

 

Logging into WebCt:

 

In order to log into Webct, go to the following web address:

 

http://online.triton.edu:8900

 

This will take you to the Webct log in screen.  Clicking on log in, and you will need to enter your WebCt id and password.  Your id is your first and last name, all small letters, no spaces, exactly as you are registered here at Triton.  Your password is the first letter of your first name, the first 3 letters of your last name, and the last four digits of your social security number, again with no spaces.

 

From there, you will go to a screen called MyWebCt, which will list all courses you are currently taking that are using the webct program.  (this might be the only course on the list, or there could be others depending on what you are taking.)

 

Click on the link for this course (Eco 103-080 Telecourse) and begin familiarizing yourself with the web site.

 

Note that you can also access the WebCt log in screen from the Triton homepage.  Go to the quick links area in the upper right and find Webct on the pull down menus, and follow the directions from there.

 

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING PROCEDURE

 

There will be 4 examinations.  The exams will be multiple choice, with the questions being very similar to the type used in your practice exams in the syllabus as well as the telecourse study guide. If you are taking the course as a traditional telecourse, and thus take the exams on campus, a Triton I.D. and a driver's license, as well as your printed student schedule, will be required for identification when you take any examination.

 

Location.  If you are taking the course as a traditional telecourse:  All exams will be given on Triton's main campus at the service desk of the Educational Technology Resource Center (ETRC) located in room M142A in the Advanced Technology building. If you are taking the course using the online option, then the first 3 exams will be online, but the final exam must be taken on campus , again in the Advanced Technology bldg. 

 

Hours;  The lab is open at the following times; (note, these are the hours they will give out tests)

 

Fall and Spring semesters; 8 AM TO 8 PM on Monday through Thursday, Friday, 8 to 3, Saturday from 8-2, and noon to 2 on Sunday. 

 

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR COMPLETING THE EXAM.  You have 60 minutes for the first 3 exams and 90 minutes for the final exam for those of you taking the tests in the ETRC. 

 

SUGGESTED COMPLETION DATES FOR EXAMS, FALL 2008.

 

 

EXAMINATION       SUGGESTED COMPLETION DATE         TEXT CHAPTERS AND VIDEO PROGRAMS

 

EXAM 1                     OCT. 15                                                          1,2,15,16,17

 

EXAM 2                     NOV. 10                                                         18,19,20

 

EXAM 3                     DEC. 1                                                            21,22,23

 

FINAL EXAM           DEC. 18                                                          COMPREHENSIVE, ON ALL CHAPTERS AND UNITS, WITH EXTRA EMPHASIS ON 24,25,26, and 28.

 

Note;  For the first 3 exams, the completion dates given are guidelines only.  You can take exams past these dates (see exception below) but I strongly encourage you not to fall behind.  However all exams must be completed by Dec. 18th.

 

IMPORTANT EXCEPTION!!!  All students MUST take at least the first exam by Nov. 10:  if not you will be dropped from the course prior to the drop deadline of Nov. 15.  In other words, you cannot just begin taking all the exams in December at the end of the course!

 

ONLINE STUDENTS:  For those of you taking the exams online, the same suggested dates apply:  however again you can take the exams when you like after they are made available.  For the online students, you will have 45 minutes for the first 3 exams (40 questions each).  Once again, the final exam must be taken on campus in the ETRC and will be a closed book comprehensive final.  All students will have 90 minutes for the final exam which has 80 questions on it. 

 

GRADING PROCEDURE

 

There will be 4 exams, 3 regular exams and a comprehensive final exam.  The lowest of the first 3 exams will be dropped.  There will also be a series of ONLINE short answer quizzes, worth 10 points each.  I will use the highest 4 of these in your grade calculation.  (There will be at least 5 of these quizzes so one or more will be dropped, that is only the top 4 scores count).   THE ONLINE QUIZZES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DATES ON THE QUIZ IN SIDE WEBCT!  I grade on a point system, with points allocated as follow;

 

TOP 2 EXAMS          40 QUESTIONS x 2.5 POINTS EACH = 100 POINTS

                        40 QUESTIONS x 2.5 POINTS EACH = 100 POINTS

FINAL EXAM           80 QUESTIONS x 2 POINTS EACH =    160 POINTS

ONLINE QUIZZES   TOP 4 X 10 PTS EACH =                           40 POINTS

TOTAL                                                                                            400 POINTS

 

GRADE DISTRIBUTION;

 

350 TO 400 = A   (87.5% AND UP)

300 TO 349 = B   (75% AND UNDER 87.5%)

250 TO 300 = C   (62.5% AND UNDER 75%)

200 TO 249 = D   (50% AND UNDER 62.5%)

BELOW 200  = F   (UNDER 50%)

 

Extra Credit:  Any student can earn up to 15 points extra credit by taking practice quizzes at the publishers web site and emailing me the results.  Here’s how to do this:

 

  1. Go into WebCt as explained earlier.
  2. Click on the link for the Economics U$A web site.
  3. Click the quiz link on the right side of the page.  From there, choose the chapter you wish to take a quiz on. 
  4. You will have a choice of taking a 5, 10, or 15 question quiz.  You must take the 15 question quiz in order to get the extra credit.  (Note, some of the chapters might not have a 15 question option:  use the largest number of questions available in that case.)
  5. At the end of the quiz you will be prompted to send the results to your professor.  Enter your name, email address, and send it to my email at tporebsk@triton.edu.  For section number simply list the course you are in, that is Eco 102-080.
  6. FOR EACH CHAPTER QUIZ ON WHICH YOU SCORE AT LEAST 80%  ( 12 OR MORE CORRECT OUT OF THE 15) YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE EXTRA CREDIT POINT.  SINCE THERE ARE 15 CHAPTERS IN THE COURSE, YOU CAN EARN A MAXIMUM OF 15 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS. 

 

Cheating on exams; Any attempt to cheat on any exam will result in a failing grade (F) for the course.  If you are taking the course as a traditional telecourse and thus take the exams in the ETRC, TAKE ONLY A PENCIL AND A CALCULATOR INTO THE EXAMS.  You will be provided with scratch paper if needed.

FOR ANY OF THE WORK THAT IS DONE ONLINE, REMEMBER THAT GIVING OR RECEIVING AID OF ANY KIND WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF F FOR THE COURSE AND IS CAUSE FOR EXPULSION FROM TRITON COLLEGE.   FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOUR ANSWER TO ANY OF THE SHORT ANSWER QUIZZES HAS BEEN COPIED FROM ANOTHER STUDENT, BOTH STUDENTS WILL FAIL THE COURSE.

 

 

REMEMBER THAT GIVING OR RECEIVING AID OF ANY KIND WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF F FOR THE COURSE AND IS CAUSE FOR EXPULSION FROM TRITON COLLEGE.

 

INCOMPLETE GRADES;  If you cannot finish the course by the date given for the last exam, you may request an incomplete grade.  HOWEVER, YOU MUST FINISH THE FIRST 3 EXAMS AND BE PASSING THE COURSE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR AN INCOMPLETE GRADE.  YOU MUST CALL OR CONTACT ME IN ORDER TO REQUEST AN INCOMPLETE GRADE.

 

Withdrawing From Class:  It is your responsibility as a student to withdraw by the drop deadline if you feel the need to drop the class.  The drop deadline for Fall 2007 is Nov. 18th. You must fill out the required paper work, otherwise you will receive an f for the course if you have not done the work.  If you cannot make it to campus to withdraw, call me.

 

BORDERLINE GRADES;  Many times, immediately after taking the final exam, a student will call me and say " I just finished the final exam and missed getting a "b" (or some other grade) by only 5 points.  Can I do some extra credit to get the points? " Please note that the only extra credit is by doing the website quizzes as explained above.    I do take a close look at borderline grades, but please do not call me and ask for more extra credit.

 

ORGANIZATION OF THE TEXT:

 

The first 2 chapters of the Economics U$A book are mostly an introduction to basic economics and I use them in both the Macro and Micro courses.  Chapters 3-14 are the main core of Macro, covered in Eco 102.  Chapters 15-26 are the main core of Micro and thus are covered in this course, Eco 103.  The last 2 chapters are on international trade and exchange rates:   Chapter 28 on exchange rates is covered here in the Micro course and chapter 27 on international trade is covered in the macro class.  Thus both courses will have 15 chapters of material.

 

 

 

Textbook Chapters and Corresponding Videos

 

 

EXAM 1:  Chapters 1,2,15-17 and Videos 1,2,15-17

 

Textbook Chapter                                          Video Program                                  

 

 

Ch.1: What is Economics?

 

 

Lesson 1: Scarce Resources:

What is Economics all about?

 

Ch. 2: Markets and Prices

 

 

 

Lesson 2: Markets and Prices:

Does the Free Market Respond

to People’s Needs?

 

Ch.15: The Business Firm: Organization, Motivation, and Optimal Input Decisions

 

Lesson 15: The Firm: How can it Keep its Costs Down?

 

 

Ch. 16: Getting Behind the Supply and Demand Curves

 

Lesson 16: Supply and Demand:  What Sets the Price?

 

Ch. 17: Market Demand and Price Elasticity

 

Lesson 17: Perfect Competition and Inelastic Demand: Can the Farmer Make a Profit?

 

EXAM 2:  Chapters 18-20 and videos 18-20

 

 

 

Ch. 18: Economic Efficiency, Market Supply, and Perfect Competition

 

Lesson 18: Economic Efficiency: What Price Controls?

 

Ch. 19: Monopoly and its Regulation

 

Lesson 19: Monopoly: Who’s in Control

 

Ch. 20: Monopolistic Competition, Oligopoly, and Antitrust Policy

 

Lesson 20: Oligopolies: Whatever Happened to Price Competition?

 

 

 

EXAM 3 :  Chapters 21-23 and videos 21-23

 

TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS                                        VIDEO PROGRAMS

 

 

Ch. 21: Pollution and the Environment

 

Lesson 21: Pollution: How much is a Clean Environment Worth?

 

Ch. 22: The Supply and Demand for Labor

 

Lesson 22: Labor and Management: How do they Come to Terms?

 

Ch. 23: Interest, Rent, and Profit

 

Lesson 23: Profits and Interest: Where is the Best Return?

 

 

FINAL EXAM:  Comprehensive

 

TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS                                        VIDEO PROGRAMS

 

 

 

Ch. 24: Poverty, Income Inequality, and Discrimination

 

Lesson 24: Reducing Poverty: What have we Done?

 

Ch. 25: Economic Growth

 

Lesson 25: Economic Growth: Can we Keep up the Pace?

 

Ch. 26: Public Goods and the Role of the Government

 

Lesson 26: Public Goods and Responsibilities: How Far Should We Go?

CH. 28: Exchange Rates And The Balance Of Payments

LESSON 28: Exchange Rates: What In The World Is A Dollar Worth?

 

All earlier chapters, including 1,2, and 15-23

 

All earlier lessons, including 1,2, 15-23

 

 

NOTES ON FINAL EXAM: THE FINAL IS COMPREHENSIVE, HOWEVER ABOUT 50% OF THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE FROM CHAPTERS 24,25,26 and 28, AND THE REST FROM THE EARLIER CHAPTERS.

 

 

LOCATIONS FOR VIEWING THE VIDEO TAPES

 

1.  ON CAMPUS:  You can watch the tapes in the ETRC, Room M-142 in the AT building.  PLEASE BRING YOUR Triton College ID WITH YOU!!!

 

  1. ONLINE:  YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEOS ONLINE BUT YOU NEED A BROADBAND CONNECTION, SUCH AS DSL OR CABLE MODEL TO DO SO.  A SLOW REGULAR MODEM CONNECTION WILL NOT WORK.   You can either access the videos from inside WebCT, by clicking on the Economics U$A link, or by  going to the following website:

 

http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html

 

You may have to sign up and get a password, but there is no charge for signing up. 

 

Off campus locations:  The following public libraries also have the video series:

 

1.              Eisenhower Library

4652 Olcott Avenue

Norridge, Il.  867-7828

 

 

2.              Schiller Park Library

4200 Old River Rd.

Schiller Park, 678-0433

 

PLEASE PHONE AHEAD IF YOU WISH TO RESERVE A VIEWING TIME AT THESE LIBRARIES.

 

ALSO THE TRITON COLLEGE CABLE STATION WILL AIR THE TAPES.  PICK UP THEIR SCHEDULE IN ROOM AT 142.