FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

8:30 a.m. Tuesdays

4:30 pm Tuesdays

ECONOMICS

Spring 2011

COURSE SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jeremy Burri

Classroom: Oshkosh Room 236

Office hours: 11:20AM and 7:20PM Tuesday (after class)

PHONE: (920)428-0331

E-mail [email protected]

TEXTBOOK: Economics Theory and Practice, 9th edition, Patrick J. Welch & Gerry F. Welch

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to give an overview of how a market-oriented economic system operates, and it surveys the
factors which influence national economic policy. Basic concepts and analyses are illustrated by reference to a
variety of contemporary problems and public policy issues. Concepts that will be studied include scarcity,
resources, alternative economic systems, economic growth, supply and demand, monetary and fiscal policy,
inflation, unemployment and international trade and finance. This class also will prepare you to be a function
successfully in our market based, democratic society.

Prerequisites: 21st percentile or better on the Reading and 50th percentile or better on the Language
ACCUPLACER tests.

Course Competency List

1. Justify the use of limited resources.

2. Analyze the effectiveness and merits of alternative economic systems.
3. Find the equilibrium price and quantity for a product.
4. Analyze the changes in market demand and market supply.
5. Analyze the role of government in the economy.
6. Discuss the merits of alternative taxation systems.
7. Explain the relationship between Gross Domestic Product, Unemployment Rates and Inflation Rates.
8. Explain the relationship between Fiscal Policy and the National Debt.
9. Analyze the structure of the Banking system in the United States.
10. Explain the relationship between Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve Board, and the purpose of
Monetary Policy.
11. Calculate exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies.
12. Calculate the profit maximizing level of production and also the cost minimizing level of production.
13. Analyze the various competitive market structures.
14. Explain how economies of scale and diseconomies of scale affect the long-run average cost of a firm.
15. Explain the ramifications of free trade in relation to employment, production, efficiency, and consumer
choice.
16. Discuss the functioning of the labor market, and the problems facing the US labor market today.
Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 1
 Class Topic and Assignment Guide
Date In Class Assignments Due
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011  Course Orientation
 Syllabus Discussion
 Go through Rubrics
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011  Discuss Chapters 1- 3
 Work problems from Chapters 1-3
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011  Discuss Chapter 4-5
 Work problems from Chapter 4-5
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011  Exam 1 Extra Credit One Due

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011  Exam 1 Review

 Discuss Chapters 6
 Chapters 6 Problems
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011  Discuss Chapters 7-8
 Work problems from Chapters 7-8

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011  Discuss Chapter 11

 Work problems from Chapter 11
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011  Discuss Chapter 12
 Work problems from Ch 12
Tuesday, March 15th , 2011  Discuss Chapter 13
 Work Problems from Ch 13
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011  Exam Two Extra Credit Two Due

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011  Exam Two Review

 Discuss Chapter 14
 Work problems from Chapter 14

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011  Discuss Chapter 15

 Work problems from Chapter 15

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011  Discuss Chapter 16

 Work problems for Chapter 16

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011  Discuss Chapter 17

 Work problems for Chapter 17

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011  Exam Three Extra Credit Three Due
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011  Presentations Paper Due, Investment Project Due
 Exam Three Review
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011  Presentations
Final Exam

Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 2

 GRADING SYSTEM

Course Exams:
Exam One 125 points* (one exam may be dropped)
Exam Two 125 points*
Exam Three 125 points*
Final Exam 100 points

Presentation 100 points

Research Paper 100 points

Investments Project 100 points

TOTAL GRADED POINTS 650 points

Raw Score: (Your score/650)

Extra Credit Opportunities

Extra Credit Assignments 1, 2 and Three 30 points
Various other EC opportunities not to exceed 20 points

Adjusted Score (grade): (Your score + Extra Credit)/650

FINAL COURSE GRADE

Grading Range for Course Grade

A = [90-100] B = [80-89] C = [70-79] D = [60-69] F = [0-60]

*Exams will be 125 points each, closed book, and consist of essay, short answer, matching, and problem solving.
You may drop one exam score BUT NOT THE FINAL. You will receive a short study guide for each regular exam.
Do not wait until you receive the study guide to begin studying.

*The final exam will consist of all prior exam questions.

*There is no curve in this class. The Extra Credit is very important to complete. There is a high correlation between
completing extra credit and success in this course.

*The presentations can be done on any economic topic. You may work in a group or alone. PowerPoint is the
preferred delivery. See separate rubric for details.

*The paper will be also on any economic topic of your choosing. The required length is four pages double spaced,
due 2nd last day of class, with works cited page. Paper may be revised prior to final submission. See separate rubric.

*The stock market project will be out of 100 points. See separate rubric.

*There is no homework for this class. Homework is busywork, and a relic of your bygone high school days. For
some of you, this is great news, and will make this course very easy for you. But for others, what seems like a
blessing will ultimately be a curse. In class, we will go over topics and have discussion, but you will be the only
person to judge how well you are understanding the material. There will be no failed homework assignments to
Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 3
warn you that you are not going to do well on the test. For every one hour in class, you are expected to spend 2
hours outside of class making sure you are keeping up and understanding the material. It is up to you to take
responsibility for your performance in the class.

Other Information:

BlackBoard: This class will utilize BlackBoard, but only for document storage. From time to time you will be
asked to retrieve items from BlackBoard (extra credit, etc).

CLASS CONTRACT:

The class contract is a very important document in this course that signifies to me that you are aware of the demands
of this course, and that you understand what is required of you for each of the assignments/projects. This is not
meant to be “tricky” or back handed. The purpose of this is twofold. First, it will force you to actually read the
syllabus and rubrics for the projects/paper etc. Second, by doing it will eliminate any last minute confusion on
directions, should someone procrastinate and wait until the last week of class to complete their work. This contract
must be turned in no later than February 15th.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

 Any exam not made up within one week will receive a zero score. (One week late is determined from
the date the exam is taken in the classroom.)
 Exams will be made up in the testing center. Please provide some type of proof regarding WHY you
had to miss the exam.
 Late research papers will be assessed a penalty of 20 pts. for each Class the work is late.

(These penalties may be waived at the instructor’s discretion.)

ATTENDANCE

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting. Students who are absent from class for six (6)
class hours will be withdrawn from the course at the instructor’s discretion. The instructor will record an F or W
grade depending on the student's progress at the time.

ADA Statement: FVTC fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and its amendments, all of which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in
the admission, access to, or participation in programs or activities. FVTC provides a wide range of supplemental
services to ensure reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified individuals
with disabilities.

To obtain more information or request accommodations, contact FVTC’s Educational Support Services area. The
ADA/504 Coordinator for students is Jan Case. Her number is (920) 735-2497.

Nondiscrimination: As stipulated by laws and regulations, the college will provide equal opportunity in
employment, in programs, and in services to all persons regardless of political affiliations, age, race, religious
beliefs, religion, disabilities, marital status, parental status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation,
pregnancy, arrest or conviction record, military service, results of genetic testing, or the use or non use of lawful
products during free time when not working or studying and off of college premises. Services, financial aid, and

Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 4

other benefits of this school and those originating from the Wisconsin Technical College System Board are provided
on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 5

 Social Studies Department
Cheating Policy

1. Cheating will not be tolerated.

2. The student will be dropped from the class.

3. The student will be given an “F” grade for the course.

4. The penalties for cheating will apply for any classroom, or any designated test area in the FVTC district.

The Social Studies Department considers the following behaviors to be examples of cheating:

 The use of any materials not designated for use on a test.

 Students communicating with other people while taking a test.

(Exception: Students may talk to the test administrator.)

 Unauthorized possession and/or circulation of a test.

 The determination of who is cheating will be made by:

the instructor
a testing center lab aide
any other designated test administrator

The final determination of who is cheating will be made by the student’s instructor.

IMPORTANT:
Class Contract
Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 6
This is an attestation, by you, the Student.

As the student I certify that I understand the policies set forth in this syllabus. I also certify that I will check
and use my FVTC e-mail account, and that communications via e-mail are an effective method of
communication for me. I also certify that take ultimate responsibility for my performance in this class, and
that if I do not understand a topic, I will ask questions. I am aware of the after class availability of the
instructor. Also, I attest that I am fully aware of all course due dates and make up policies. I will read the
assigned chapters before class, and will come prepared to work problems. If I feel that my personal situation
will not allow me to satisfactorily complete the course, I understand it is in my best interest to withdraw.

Signed by:_____________________________

Date:____________

Economics Syllabus Fall 2010 Page 7