Economics 100

Fall 2007

Robert Francis

Office: 5336

Phone: 546-4797

E-mail: bfrancis@shoreline.edu

Web site: http://elmo.shore.ctc.edu/economics

Office hours: 8:30- 9:20 Monday through Thursday, 9:30-10:20 Friday,

Or by appointment

WEEKLY READINGS

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

LECTURES

The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back. I am sure that the power of vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared to the gradual encroachment of ideas.—J.M.Keynes

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to introduce economics and the economic analysis within the general discipline of social science. While there will be some formal models, we will try to focus on the fundamental concepts and use them to try to make sense of current events. My hope is that you will be able to evaluate modern market outcomes as to their effectiveness and efficiency using a variety of analytic and evaluative tools. We will explore possible social/political interventions into the market to solve contemporary problems, as well as the effectiveness of past interventions. The bottom line is that I want you to leave this class with the ability to critically exam current issues that you might have previously chosen to ignore due to a feeling of an inadequate background to weigh in on the issue. You should note that this course is not designed for economics majors or four-year business majors. It will help prepare students in those majors but those students are expected to take the two class sequence in micro- and macroeconomics.

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES

Students should be ready for college level English.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course the student should be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret and communicate through spoken and written forms of English.

Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret and use graphs, along with other quantitative tools, commonly used in economics.

Demonstrate an understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural responses to meeting material needs and place those responses into historical context.

Demonstrate how market forces work and evaluate the outcomes of those forces.

Demonstrate the ability to evaluate past and present attempts to intervene in market outcomes.

Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret and evaluate information generated by the news media.

Demonstrate the ability to place economics concepts and paradigms into appropriate social, political and historical context.

Instructor/Student Expectations

The Student is expected to exhibit the following behaviors:

attend all lectures.

do the assigned readings on time and be prepared to answer questions and discuss reading content.

spend time contemplating the basic issues discussed in class and readings.

treat peers and instructor with respect.

engage in appropriate academic classroom behavior: arrive on time prepared to take notes, do not engage in social conversations or other disruptive acts.

do not engage in "social loafing" during group assignments.

take independent steps to remediate any confusion due to missed lecture, or any other reason, by using whatever methods deemed effective by the student.

devote ample time to the course content despite work, social and other class obligations.

keep abreast of current events as they pertain to the course.

do not cheat.

The Instructor shall exhibit the following behaviors:

arrive on to class on time and prepared to make effective use of the students time.

treat students and their opinions with respect.

be available to students during office hours and at other times arranged by mutual agreement.

make every reasonable effort to assist students in attaining their academic goals.

assess student performance in an objective and accurate manner as is possible given institutional constraints.

keep abreast of current economic events.

continue to research and study the field of economics and economic education.

TEXT

Required: Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan

Selected Readings on Website

It is my intention to build the class around discussion and active learning. This type of class depends on you to come to class consistently and be prepared to engage the topics.

GRADING

The point distribution shall be approximately even between the exams and quizzes/alternatives. The students grade will be determined by the total number of points earned during the course, less the lowest point quiz, divided by the total possible points, which then establishes the students percentage. This percentage is the converted into a numerical grade according to the partial chart below (the student is encouraged to complete the chart below).

Percent	Decimal Grade	Percent	Decimal Grade	Percent	Decimal Grade	Percent	Decimal Grade
95-100	4.0	85	3.0	75	2.0	65	1.0
94	3.9	84	2.9	74	1.9	64	0.9
93	3.8	83	2.8	73	1.8	63	0.8
92	3.7	82	2.7	72	1.7	62	0.7
91	3.6	81	2.6	71	1.6	61 or less	0.0
90	3.5	80	2.5	70	1.5
89	3.4	79	2.4	69	1.4
88	3.3	78	2.3	68	1.3
87	3.2	77	2.2	67	1.2
86	3.1	76	2.1	66	1.1

Weighting

Exams 70%

Homework and quizzes 30%

WITHDRAWALS

Any student may withdraw from this course and receive a “W” on his/her records through November 10th. After this date students may request a “Z” (see below) a “V” will be given to anyone who stops coming to class.

"Z Hardship Withdrawal – This grade may be given at the student’s written request and the instructor’s agreement that a crisis and/or unusual, extreme circumstance which has interfered or interrupted the student’s ability to attend class and perform course work for the current quarter has occurred. This grade will not be considered in GPA calculations." (Shoreline Policy 6260)

This is a mandatory decimal grading course.

CLASS CANCELLATION

Unless the student is otherwise notified, class will meet at the scheduled times. The only exception to this will be if the college is closed due to inclement weather and/or other extreme conditions.

EXTRA CREDIT

Extra credit may be earned by attending discussions sponsored by creditable groups, such as the League of Women Voters or the Worldly Philosophers and Dismal Scientist Club at Shoreline Community College, and submitting a typewritten summary and students position on the issue. The student may also choose to write a summary and position on an extended print article in a creditable magazine such as the New Republic, The Atlantic or The Economist. Contact the instructor for prior approval. Extra credit shall be limited to 20 points (Each paper will on average be worth five points).

CHEATING

Any student seeks inappropriate assistance during examinations or case study projects will automatically fail the course. The instructor will make every effort to avoid putting the student in the position feeling compelled to cheat. Any student who observes cheating is encouraged to report it to the instructor.

Students with Disabilities

Shoreline Community College is committed to providing educational programs without regard to disabling conditions as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Reasonable accommodations will be made and no otherwise qualified individual with disabling conditions shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity or service administered by the college. Please contact Shoreline's coordinator of services for students with disabilities at 546-5832 or 546-4520 in the FOSS Building, Room 5229, for more information or for an assessment of your individual needs.