ECON 1 - Principles of Microeconomics
Instructor: Gina Webster
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Course Description
Economic analysis of market systems price theory. Supply and demand analysis, marginal utility, elasticity, cost and revenue concepts, perfect and imperfect competition, international trade, pricing of the factors of production, poverty and income inequalities. Strongly recommended: English 1A eligibility and Math 65 and 65L.
The goal of this course is to teach you how to use the tools of microeconomics to understand the world around you. This course will prepare you for future coursework in economics and business, and most importantly, it will provide you with a basic framework for analyzing economic problems within the context of the business environment.
The emphasis will be placed on the development of analytical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition, you will have numerous opportunities to enhance your communication skills, and master your ability to work in a team.
To take this class, you must have daily access to a computer with an Internet connection, an email account, and experience using a web browser. You will also need to update your email address in CLASS-Web when you register.
Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.
This class begins June 16 and ends Aug 7.
On-Campus Meetings
There are no required on-campus meetings for this class. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus orientation to Online Learning on either June 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 2420, June 12 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Room 2420, or June 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 2412. Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.
How This Class Operates
There will be a total of 17 weekly sessions, including 1 "introduction" session, 12 "new material" sessions, 3 "review" sessions, and 1 "research" session.
This is not a self-paced class; there are due dates throughout the semester that you are expected to meet, just like in a traditional, face-to-face class.
Class Activities
You are required to complete the following tasks during the weekly sessions:
- Complete Aplia Quiz (Aplia is a web site dedicated to students and professors of economics).
- Read the appropriate chapter posted on the Aplia site.
- Review the accompanying Study Guide provided on Aplia.
- Complete all Study Guide assignments.
- Review the PowerPoint lecture presentation, along with the accompanying Lecture Notes provided on the Aplia.
- Complete Aplia practice assignments.
- Complete Aplia graded assignments.
Class Project
You are required to complete a Research Project. The Project will consist of two parts, each worth 50 points (a total of 100 points).
To complete the first part of the Research Project, you will select a topic (i.e. fuel economy, health care, education, etc.), and research it in great depth, focusing on “the economics” of the issue. Your primary objective is to identify the links between the basic economic concepts and tools you learned about in this class and the various aspects of your topic. You are expected to use the economic models and, equally important, the economic terminology to analyze and present your topic.
Based on your research, you are to create a PowerPoint presentation, which you will share with your classmates. The presentation should consist of 15-18 slides and include detailed graphs, charts, and economic data, whenever applicable.
To complete the second part of the Research Project, select a presentation completed by one of your classmates. You must choose a topic different than your own. Review the Presentation focusing on “the economics” of the issue.
Based on your review, write a critique of your classmate’s presentation, which you will share with the class. This written document should consist of 3-5, double-sided, pages and include your overall comments, and, in particular, your responses to the following questions: (1) what have I learned from the presentation about the given topic? (2) what are the key economic concepts pertaining to the issue? and (3) what was I hoping to learn from the presentation, yet haven’t?
How Students are Graded
There are 500 points possible:
Research Project: Part I = 50
Research Project: Part II = 50
Weekly Quizzes = 120
Graded Assignments = 280
Total = 500
The following scale will be used to assign your final grade:
90-100% (420-500 points) = A
80-89 (380-419) = B
70-79 (320-379) = C
60-69 (260-319) = D
< 59: (< 259) = F
Succeeding in an Online Course
Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, can't use a computer too well, have taken less than 21 units of college credit in your lifetime, and/or have a grade-point-average under 2.0, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.
Also, don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.
LPC offers a tutorial called "Succeeding in an online course" that will not only tell you if you are a good fit for online learning, but it also offers many strategies -- among other pertinent information -- that will help you succeed online. Please complete the tutorial.
Blackboard
This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the Blackboard Login Procedures page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.