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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EC 201-4"
COURSE NAME: "Principles of Microeconomics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Colazingari Marco
HOURS: TTH 11:30-12:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: MA 100 or MA 101; Recommended: EN 105
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the principles of Microeconomics.
This course will equip students with an economic knowledge valuable to whichever career they chose.
Students will be able to:
- Use basic economic tools when making decisions;
- Critically assess the economic consequences of policy events and business strategies.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is intended for students who have never studied Economics before.
It introduces students to the basic principles of Microeconomics.
The first part of the course is the foundations of the economic analysis and tools.
The second part focuses on the main issues of the discipline, such as the economic interdependence and the gains from trade, the determinants of demand and supply, the characteristics of market equilibrium, the concepts of efficiency, and the issue of market failures and government intervention.
The third part of the course deals with market theory of the firm, with a review of cost and revenue concepts and market structures, such as perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and imperfect competition.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to understand the basic dynamics of Microeconomics.
They will learn how to use economic tools critically.
They will learn how to analyze an economic issue with analytical precision.
Students will be able to write a reasoned essay response to a comprehensive question on Microeconomics.
Subject specific knowledge: Supply, demand, and related government policies; Basic principles of the Economics of the public sector; Firm behavior and market structures.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Principles of Economics Gregory Mankiw South-Western 9780324589979     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm Test 1 25%
Midterm Test 2 25%
Quick Quizzes 10%
Final Comprehensive Test 40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
 Attendance to the course is STRONGLY recommended.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

w1 Introduction to the course and fundamental concepts Chapters 1-2    
w2 Interdependence and gains from trade. Chapter 3    
w3 Supply and Demand Chapter 4    
w4 Elasticity. The role of Government Chapters 5-6    
w5 Review & Mid-term Exam      
w6 Consumers, Producers, and the Efficiency of the Market Chapter 7    
w7 The Cost of Taxation Chapter 8    
w8 The Economics of the Public Sector: Esternality and Public Goods Chapters 10-11    
w9 Review & Mid-term Exam      
w10 The Costs of Production Chapter 13    
w11 Market Structure: Perfect Competition Chapter 14    
w12 Market Structure: Monopoly Chapter 15    
w13 Market Structure: Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly Chapters 16-17    
w14 Review    
W15 Final Exam See University schedule for date and time of the final exam
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates