COURSE SYLLABUS

A welcome is extended to those who seek the power of knowledge and who are prepared and willing to meet the academic challenge learning economics offers. Careful attention at the very outset of the course to the following details is your important first step.

PURPOSES OF THE COURSE:

To gain a mastery of basic economic concepts, models, and institutions which will lead to an initial and partial understanding of the structure and workings of the private market economic system in its macro aspects.

To acquire the capacity for and habit of thinking in a structured, critical, and analytic way that examines and weighs the incremental beneficial and costly effects of the choices we make in our lives, the "economic" way of thinking.

To eradicate incorrect, misinformed, and nonsensical knowledge and understanding of economics that has been acquired from casual personal observation of the economy and from listening to and watching politicians, businessmen, and talk show hosts, guests, and callers.

To develop curiosity about and an interest in how the world we live in works.

MODE OF THE CLASS:

A structured and comprehensive presentation of the material covered in the textbook will not be given in class sessions. Rather, class sessions will be devoted to:

For most persons, the study of economics is very demanding and requires much time, effort, and adequate levels of academic skills. The study of economics helps develop and improve the following skills, but adequate levels of the skills are needed to begin the college level study of economics. Verbatim note-taking and rote memory skills will be of minor use.

• Quantitative/Mathematical
• Verbal: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the English language.
• Thinking: analytically, critically, abstractly.
• Studying and Understanding.
  

NECESSSARY EFFORT:

To earn a good grade in the course, adequate levels of the above skills are needed. In addition, sufficient effort must be forthcoming to do all of the following:

• Attend all class sessions, listen carefully, understand what is said, ask questions, take thoughtful (not verbatim) notes, and study the notes.
• Read and study the textbook presentation of a topic before the class session(s) dealing with the topic, do the homework assignments, and reread and restudy the textbook following class discussion.
• Purchase and use the Study Guide.
• Spend a minimum of two hours outside of class studying course material for every hour in class, and do this routinely throughout the course. Attempting to study and learn material just before exams will not be of great help.
  

TEXT: The textbook for the course is The Macro Economy Today by Schiller, 8^th ed.

STUDY GUIDE:   Purchase and use of the Study Guide to accompany the text is very strongly                                  recommended. It is a significant aid to the mastery of course material.

GRADE: Evaluation of student performance in the course is by examination:

        First Hour Exam                 24%                              20 February

        Second Hour Exam           38%                               10 April

        Third Hour Exam                38%                              20 May

        The third exam will be given at the time of the final and is not cumulative.

EXAM MODE:

Exams seek to determine understanding (not rote memorization) of concepts, principles, and analytic points presented in the course. The questions include short answer (multiple choice, fill in the blanks) and short analytic essay questions. Sample questions will be discussed during the review session prior to each exam and are available on the course Web page: www.csus.edu/indiv/l/lundp

Students are invited to discuss the course or any other matters of concern during office hours held in Tahoe 3020 at the following times: TR 7-7:30  and 10:30-11 AM & MW 5-5:30 PM. The phone number for 3020 is 278-7078 and for the Economics Department Office is 278-6223. E-mail address: pblund@csus.edu. Instructor Web site: www.csus.edu/indiv/l/lundp/  Published on the Web site are the course syllabus,  sample review questions for each exam, and other items that might be of interest.

1. Completion of exams and other assignments at required times. In order that no student gains an advantage over other students and all students are treated equitably, all tests must be completed at the scheduled dates and times. Penalties will be given for failure to do this except in those cases where a significant illness or job-related problem interferes. If an exam must be missed and the reason is acceptable, the student must inform me prior to the exam if possible. If it is not possible, I must be consulted no later than the first class session following the missed exam. Failure to do so will mean an "F" grade will be given to that exam or assignment. Evidence must be provided with which I can verify the excuse.  This includes car problems and deaths in the family.

2. Makeup exams. All makeup exams will be given at the time of the final exam for the course. Because all exams in my courses are one hour in length, including the final exam, the two-hour final exam period allows an hour for a makeup exam. Makeup exams will be given immediately following the final exam.

2. Materials Needed. For the exam you will need only a writing implement and knowledge of the material. Responses to questions may be written on the exam sheets. Calculators are allowed.

3. Show Knowledge of Course Material. Each exam question is an attempt to get you to reveal your understanding of material presented in the course relevant to that question. Questions should be answered accordingly.

4. Say What You Mean. Be sure that your answer does, in fact, say what you mean to say. (Whether you mean what you say doesn’t matter.)

5. Length of Exams is One Hour. All exams are one hour in length. Allocate time accordingly.

6. To Learn Correct Answers. Come to the class session following the exam to learn what was expected in the answers. No comments are written on the exams.

7. Do Not Be Late. Do not be late for the start of the exam, as your coming in late will disturb the concentration of students who started on time. Any student who is more than five minutes late will be penalized five points on the exam.

8. No Cheating Tolerated. Cheating is one of the most reprehensible forms of student behavior and will be dealt with severely. With apologies to those who do not cheat, I will police the room during exams.

9. Leaving the Classroom. Come to the exam prepared to stay the full hour. If it is absolutely unavoidable that you leave the classroom for some appropriate purpose, do not leave without first getting permission.

9. Noise-Making During Exams. Clicking of pens, repeated sniffing of runny noses, the popping of gum, and the like interfere with concentration and are inappropriate behavior.

 

ADD/DROP POLICY

It is extremely important that every student understands University Add/Drop policy. Please click on this link to access the page which details this policy:  ADD/DROP.

COPYRIGHT BY PETER B. LUND
(December 2002)