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San José State University
Department of Economics
Economics 2B

Sections 01

Fall 09

Online Supplement to Principles of Economics

Instructor:

Matt Holian

Office Location:

DMH 131

Telephone:

408-924-1371

Email:

 

Matthew.Holian@sjsu.edu

 

Office Hours:
  • Tuesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Thursday, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. (w/ prior notification)
  • most other times, by appointment

Class Days/Time:

 

online

 

Classroom:

na

Prerequisites:

Principles of Microeconomics

GE/SJSU Studies Category:

GE social science D1

Course Fees: 

 

MyEconLab (MEL) registration ($40)

 

 

Faculty Web Page and MYSJSU Messaging

A copy of the syllabus can be found on my web page accessible through http://mattholian.com. You are responsible for regularly checking the inbox of the current e-mail address on file with MySJSU, and you should check your spam box.

 

Course Description

This course is an excellent review of key economic concepts. It is designed for students preparing for graduate programs in business administration or economics and for economics majors transferring a 3-unit principles course.

 

This is a 1-unit course that runs entirely online. Each student is required to purchase a subscription to MyEconLab (MEL); the best deal, in my view, is the $40 option. To use MEL you need a connection to the Internet from campus or from your home. To sign up for MEL go to www.MyEconLab.com. You will need to set up a user name and password. See the appendix to this document for more information about registering for MEL.

 

The expected workload is 2 to 3 hours per week for 8 weeks. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. To receive credit requires a score of 75 percent or better, on average, on all assignments.

 

The online activity consists of eight online tests.  There are not tests in the normal sense; they are online, you can use all of the tools (access to the eBook, etc.), and there is no time limit. 

 

Dealines are very important in this class. Be sure to acquaint yourself with the MyEconLab website and notice the specific due dates. Practically speaking, there is no reason to miss a due date. You can submit answer to all questions ahead of time. You have flexibility on when you work, but the due dates are firm.

Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives

General SLO’s that the Economics Department emphasizes in this class include:

 

  • Incentives Matter (law of demand; law of supply; rational decision makers weight marginal costs versus marginal benefits; the power of self-interest)

 

·         Opportunity Cost (sunk costs; production possibilities; the free-lunch fallacy; tradeoffs in consumption and production; grains from interpersonal and international trade; comparative advantage.)

 

·         Supply and Demand ( understanding the S&D model as a representation of individual choices in exchange based on individual preferences, knowledge and circumstances; ability to examine current events using S&D tools; movement versus shift; welfare analysis.)

Required Texts/Readings

 

While you are required to purchase a subscription to MyEconLab, no textbook is required.  However, you can get access to the Bade and Parkin text for no extra charge through the eText learning tool.  Even if you select “no online text” when registering, you can actually access the Bade and Parkin eText through one of the MEL learning tools—selecting the eText icon while working on a test problem will take you to the precise section of the book that deals with the material in the question.  This is a very nice feature.  MEL also has other excellent learning tools, such as the guided solution tool. 

Appendix I: Registering for MyEconLab                 MyEconLab

 

How to Register and Enroll in Your MyEconLab Course

Welcome to MyEconLab! Your instructor has set up a MyEconLab course for you.
Course Name: Econ 1B / Econ 2B (Fall 2009, Prof. Holian)
Course ID:  XL0D-R1GP-901Y-5G52

To register, you will need:
1. A valid e-mail address, and, 2. Course ID:  XL0D-R1GP-901Y-5G52

You will have the choice to purchase access with or without a full etext.  Your professor advises you to choose the option without the eText.


Step 1: Register for MyEconLab
1. Go to http://www.myeconlab.com and click the Students button, under Register.


2. Enter the following Course ID:  XL0D-R1GP-901Y-5G52

This will return the following:

The Course ID you entered matched the following textbook:

Bade / Parkin, Essential Foundations of Economics, 4e

You can access your course using an access code or you can buy online.

Access Code

Buy Now

3. Choose Access Code if you previously purchased an access kit.  Most of you will select Buy Now, and then select MyEconLab without Pearson eText $40


4. Follow the instructions to set up your login and password and register for your course.


Need Help? For assistance, please visit http://www.myeconlab.com/support.

 

 

 

 

MyEconLab Grading: eight MyEconLab (MEL) assignments are required for this course.  If your average score on the eight tests is 75% or higher, you will get full credit  (a pass) for this course.

 

As you can see in the table below, the eight assignments are due in two batches (the first four assignments are due by September 24th , and the last four assignments are due by October 29th.  You will have until 2:00p.m. on the due data to submit each assignment.  You may begin immediately, so there is no excuse for missing an assignment.

 

Tips on working with MyEconLab

 

The assignments are composed of eight “Tests”.  You should only begin a test when you are ready to devote enough time to finish it, because once you start you cannot stop without it counting as one of your two attempts.  I will use the highest of the two attempts in calculating your score.  To make your first attempt, go to Quizzes and Tests, and select the test you want to begin.

 

After you finish your first attempt, look at your score.  Is it above 75%?  If not, you should retake the test.  First, however, you should review your results.  Go to the Results page and review the problems you missed.  You will have the opportunity to use all of the learning tools that are available, include the eText, during this review process. 

 

When you are ready to make your second and final attempt, go back to the Test and Quiz manager and begin.

 

Assignment    Material

Name              Covered                                                                                  Due Date

 

Test 1              Introduction/Getting Started with MyEconLab                     09/24/09

Test 2              Choice in a World of Scarcity, and Trade I                            09/24/09

Test 3              Supply and Demand I                                                                         09/24/09

Test 4              Supply and Demand II                                                           09/24/09

                       

Test 5              Elasticity                                                                                 10/29/09

Test 6              Cost and Industry Structure                                                   10/29/09

Test 7              Perfect Competition                                                                10/29/09         

Test 8              Monopoly                                                                                10/29/09

 

Appendix II: University Policies

Dropping and Adding

Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, etc. http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-324.html

 .  http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/

 

Academic integrity

Students should know that the University’s Academic Integrity Policy:  http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf. Your enrollment at San Jose State University requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions  http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.

Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.

Learning Assistance Resource Center

The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center. The center provides support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The LARC website is located at http:/www.sjsu.edu/larc/.

Peer Mentor Center

The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success Center. The Peer Mentor Center is staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping students manage university life.  Peer Mentor services are free and available on a drop –in basis, no reservation required. The Peer Mentor Center website is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/ .