INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS WEB PAGE
Dr. Jac Heckelman 122 Carswell Hall 758-5923 email: heckeljc@wfu.eduOffice hours: open (or by appointment)
ECN 150 is a one-semester introduction to
economics. It is intended as a primer for students who wish to have a basic
understanding of important economic concepts, and provides fundamentals for the
intermediate sequences in microeconomics and macroeconomics. In this course you
will learn to think analytically and develop graphing skills to display ideas.
We will also concentrate on developing economic literacy by discussing
journalistic articles and through writing assignments.
BOOKS
Mankiw, Principles of Economics (6th Edition)
Hamermesh, Economics is Everywhere (3nd Edition)
GRADING
3 Section Exams: 25% each
Specific dates for the first two exams will be announced as the semester proceeds,
and then posted to this page below, in brackets [ ].
The third exam will be on the final exam time slot and must be taken at that
time.
15 Quizzes: 1% each
Periodic pop quizzes will occur at the start of the class and cover material
from the last one or two classes. Make-up quizzes will not be given for missing
class or arriving late to class.
Homework and Participation: 10%
Dates for homeworks will be announced (once) in class as we progress and posted in brackets [ ] to the Reading List below. Specific issues will be discusssed in class. It is imperitive to keep up in the assigned readings. Readings are at the bottom of this page.
For the Hamermesh chapter readings, students are to prepare responses to any two vignettes of their choosing. Students will be called at random (?) to read their selected vignette and present their response. For the on-line readings marked by *, students will be called on to present the main points from the reading, and to answer questions, then general class discussion will follow. Students are to prepare a one page summary of the reading, and a one or two paragraph defended reaction (i.e. agreement or disagreement with the concepts within the context of course material).
These assignments will be collected. To receive credit, students must TYPE their responses and hand in at the end of that class, identifying each of their responses by the particular vignette number. Alternatively, students may also email their responses in an attached file PRIOR to the start of that class. (You should still bring a copy to class in case of being called on.) Emailed assignments received after the start of class will not be counted. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted (although graphs may be hand-drawn as part of your responses when appropriate).
Active participation does not mean merely attending class on a regular basis. Students are expected to contribute to the classroom environment by asking and answering questions and actively participating in discussions.
All cell phones are to be turned off before entering class. Not vibrate - they must be off.
READING LIST
KEY:
Mankiw textbook (Chapters)
Hamermesh (Chapter)
readings available on-line
Chapter 2 Thinking Like an Economist
Chapter 1 (1.2 - 1.21) [9/3]
Chapter 2 Appendix Graphing: A Brief Review
(responsible on your own)
Chapter 3 Interdependence and the Gains from Trade
Chapter 20 (20.1 - 20.11) [9/7]
Chapter 4 Market Forces of Demand and Supply
Chapter 2 [9/12]
Chapter 3 [9/14]
Chapter 5 Elasticity and its Application
Chapter 5 (5.1 - 5.15) [9/21]
Chapter 6 Supply, Demand and Government Policies
Chapter 4 [9/28]
EXAM 1 [10/1]
Chapter 7 Consumers, Producers, and the Efficiency of Markets
Chapter 8 Application: The Costs of Taxation
Chapter 10 Externalities
Chapter 18 (18.9 - 18.24) [10/15]
Chapter 11 Public Goods and Common Resources
Chapter 18 (18.1 - 18.8) [10/22]
Great Gas-out [10/22]
Chapter 19 Earnings and Discrimination
Chapter 17 [10/29]
EXAM 2 [10/31]
Chapter 23 Measuring a Nation's Income
The economics of life and death * [11/7]
Chapter 24 Measuring the Cost of Living
Chapter 25 Production and Growth
Chapter 26 Saving, Investment and the Financial System
The name is bonds
Index definitionsWhy Does the Government Patronize Us? * [11/30]
Proposal Borders on the Ridiculous * [11/30]
Chapter 28 Unemployment
Stand Up to Corporate Giant * [12/5]
Don't Blame Walmart * [12/5]
EXAM 3 [12/13: 10am]