Course Info

            Econ 101, Principles of Microeconomics, Sect 1, F11

            MWF 9:00-9:50, 2245 Coover

 

Instructor Info

            Prof Ron Deiter

            Office: 174 Heady Hall

            Office Hrs:  MWF 10-11, TR 1, other times by appointment

            E mail: rdeiter@iastate.edu

            Phone: 294-5436

 

Course Overview/Focus

            *Economic decision making by individual (i.e. ‘micro’) consumers or firm managers.

            *How to pursue goals related to buy, sell, consume, or produce subject to constraints.

            *The role of markets and public policies in coordinating/influencing economic decisions.

            *Benefits to you: a more informed citizen, improved critical thinking, better problem solver.

*NOT a ‘macro’ econ course dealing with national consequences (e.g. inflation, employment, output, etc) of collective decisions.

*Foundation for taking additional Econ classes or majoring in Econ or Ag Bus.

 

Class Website

            Address: http://www.econ.iastate.edu/classes/econ101/Deiter/

Info at this site: syllabus, TA info, weekly announcements, exam info, topics, etc.

Note – we are NOT using WebCT

 

Textbook

            Required: Microeconomics by Krugman and Wells, 2nd ed. (2009), Worth Publishing

            Website for supplemental resources: 

               http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/krugmanwellsmicro2/

            Readings: see class website

Recommended: The Wall Street Journal

 

Help Room

            Location: 180 Heady Hall

            Hours: M thru R 9-5, F 9-4; you can see any TA on duty

 

Lecture Format

            Will cover and supplement text material.

            All material assigned in book or presented in class is fair game for exams.

            Lecture notes will generally be written on an overhead vs power point.

            Missed lecture notes will NOT be provided by your instructor (ask a fellow student).

 

Exam Dates

            Midterm #1, F Sept 30, 9:00 a.m.

            Midterm #2, F Nov 11, 9:00 a.m.

            Final, W Dec 14, 7:30 a.m.

            Locations:  all exams to be given in regular classroom, 2245 Coover

            Study guides:  to be posted on class web site

 

Other Important Dates

            M Sept 5, No Class, Labor Day

            M-F Nov 21-25, No classes, Thanksgiving break

            F Oct 28, Drop deadline

            F Dec 9, Optional Current Event Paper due

 

Quizzes

            Numerous 2-question, 2-pt quizzes will be given in class throughout the semester.

            You need to purchase 3 x 5 index cards on which to submit your answers.

            These may not be announced; w/ instructor permission, you may complete w/ a fellow student.

            Partial credit will be given for ‘wrong’ answers.

            No make up quizzes are given for any reason.

           

Homework

            Suggested homework problems out of the book will be assigned on class web site.

            These will NOT be turned in or graded as they are intended as exam ‘practice’.

 

Course Grades

            Method A

            Grades will be based on total points earned out of 150:

                        80% = 120 pts = A                  64% = 96 pts = C+                  47% = 70 pts = D-

                        77% = 115 pts = A-                60% = 90 pts = C                    <47% = <70 pts = F

                        74% = 111 pts = B+                57% = 85 pts = C-

                        70% = 105 pts = B                  54% = 81 pts = D+

                        67% = 100 pts = B-                 50% = 75 pts = D

 

            Point Values (sum = 150; 158 max possible with max bonus pts):

                        Midterm #1 = 33 pts

                        Midterm #2 = 33 pts

                        Final = 50 pts

                        Sum of top 17 quiz scores = 34 pts

                        0-8 bonus pts earned (see below)

 

            Method B

Grades will be based on total points earned out of 120 max (116 max exam pts as noted above + 4 max current event paper bonus pts explained below).

Quiz scores and bonus pts for number of quizzes missed are excluded with this method.

                        90% = 108 pts = A                  70% = 84 pts = C

                        87% = 105 pts = A-                67% = 81 pts = C-

                        83% =  101 pts = B+               63% = 76 pts = D+

                        80% =  96 pts = B                   60% = 72 pts = D

                        77% = 93 pts = B-                   57% = 69 pts = D-

                        73% = 88 pts = C+                  <57% = <69 pts = F   

 

Notes:

*Each student’s grade will be calculated with each method; the highest calculated grade will be assigned.

*While attendance is not explicitly graded, students are expected to attend lectures and students with perfect or near-perfect attendance records will be given the higher grade if they are on a grade borderline.

*This grading system typically turns out to be more lenient than a ‘curved’ grading system that would, for example, base grades on points earned as a % of the top student’s points.

*If a student has any ‘legitimate excused’ quiz absences (see below under Missed Exam Policies), the student’s total quiz points will be ‘prorated’ to a 17 quiz score equivalent.  For example, with 1 excused missed quiz, total quiz pts = (sum of top 16 quizzes x 17/16),

 

Bonus Points

            Based on number of “unexcused” quizzes missed

                        +4 pts for 0-1; +3 pts for 2

            For doing current event paper (see instructions below)

                        +4 for A- to A paper; +3 for B- to B+ paper; +2 for C- to C+ paper

 

Exam Format

            Exams will be multiple choice questions.

            Questions will relate to definitions, graphs, solving problems.

            Each midterm will cover new material presented prior to that exam.

            The Final will be comprehensive.

            Exam scores and keys will be posted on the class web site after grading.

 

Missed Exam Policies

*A mutually agreed upon (student and instructor) make up exam w/o penalty will be made available for a legitimate and documented excuse for missing an exam.

*Legitimate excuses, if written documentation is provided, include illness, death of a significant other, time conflict with another activity previously set.

*Students who do not have a legitimate and documented excuse for missing an exam will be allowed to report to the instructor’s office within 2 hours of the missed exam’s scheduled start time to take a make up.

*For all other situations involving one missed Midterm, a student will be allowed to replace the missed exam score with a score = to 60% of their Final Exam score. 

*If a student misses w/o excuse both midterm exams, they will be allowed to only replace one of the missed test scores.

 

Exam Taking Policies

            Bring a photo ID to show when you turn your exam in.

            No calculators or electronic devices of any kind can be used while taking the exam.

On your answer sheet, provide the LAST 4 DIGITS of your 9-digit student ID #.

Special needs for a disability should be worked out with your instructor in advance.

 

Disability Accommodations

Students who want/need special exam-taking accommodations should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability Resources Office in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building.

 

Current Event Paper Instructions

*Include a cover page that identifies your topic, your name, course and section, and date.

*The body of your paper should be one page min, two pages max, that gives an overview of your topic and in which you apply course material to explain observed/reported information and/or predict the consequences of alternative courses of action.

*There should be a reference page that identifies your sources OR simply attach a copy of any material you used as the source of information for your paper.

*Do use 10-12 pt font, single space (double space between paragraphs), reasonable margins, staple pages together, and save a copy for your records.

*Do NOT duplicate applications made by your instructor during a lecture.

 

Classroom Etiquette Policies (to provide an environment conducive to learning for all)

No distracting behaviors during class of any kind will be allowed.  Examples include:

Use of cell phones (including texting)

Whispering, talking, or gathering up your materials

            Reading The Daily or other newspapers

            Using computers for any reason other than taking notes

Recommended behaviors include:

            Sitting next to an exit if you must leave early and let your instructor know in advance

            Asking questions of your instructor (not your neighbor)

            Taking the nearest available seat if you show up for class after the lecture has begun

 

            Note: if you habitually violate these policies, you will be given a 10% total point penalty.