Hello Economics 1B Students:
I hope you all had a nice break and are excited for a new semester to begin.
I wanted to give you some information about what to expect before you come to class for the new
spring semester of my Econ 1B class which begins TONIGHT, February 2.
There are three required books which you must buy and read if you want to do well in this class. This is
a very reading intensive class. I will assume that you have purchased all three books and have signed up
for MyEconLab (the online portion of the class) by next Tuesday night. Also, make sure you buy the
correct editions of the books (for the Hazlitt, Economics in One Lesson book, any edition is fine). All the
books are at the Spartan Bookstore. The attached syllabus (green sheet) lists the three books and the
instructions on how to sign up for MyEconLab.
I suggest you bring something to take notes on for each class. Of course, the only use for the laptop/iPad
is to access my online notes, not to catch up on Facebook or look at other websites. If you know you
that you will be tempted to look at other websites, then buy a regular notebook to take notes on
during class. I also suggest bringing multiple color pencils and pens which will be helpful when we start
doing graphs in class.
I do not allow cell phones during class so please make sure you understand this policy that I will strictly
enforce. Also, I expect professional behavior during my lectures: no sleeping in class or putting heads
down, no talking while I am lecturing and obviously no texting since cell phones are not to be out at all
during class. I want the classroom to be an environment where students can learn and an environment
where students want to learn.
You will have five UNANNOUNCED in-class quizzes, four take-home tests, online homework
assignments, four essays, and one required in- class Final. The quizzes, tests, and the Final are all
multiple choice assessments.
I do not allow any make-ups if you are absent (regardless of the reason!) and you must take the Final at
the assigned time. Regardless of the reason, if you miss class and do not take a quiz or bring in your
test, you will receive a zero.
I drop one quiz and one test and the Final must be taken at the assigned time which is on the SJSU
website and on my syllabus which I will show you on the first day of class. So, make sure you are not
making any travel plans during Finals week and I do not allow you to move the Final time.
You must take my Final with your particular class on the specific day and time that is on my syllabus
(green sheet).
Be realistic about your discipline and your schedule. If you want to do well in this class you must be
prepared to read a significant amount AND you must attend class and be attentive. Reading and class
lectures are complements not substitutes. My quizzes and tests will cover material that was in my
previous lectures AND what was in the readings. So, before you come to each class, you should review
previous lecture notes and make sure you have done the readings. I will discuss my suggested reading
schedule to you when I see you in class this week.
Be honest with yourself (your commitment and your schedule) before you stay in this class and make
sure you are clear on my classroom expectations. If you choose to stay in my class, you will learn good
economics and you will be better able to discuss politics and public policy issues with your friends and
family. You will even be able to apply economics to your personal life and dating relationships!
Economics will teach you to think critically. Economics is not just about business, investing, or personal
finance. Fundamentally, economics is the study of people making choices.
I look forward to seeing you in class this week. If you decide to drop, make sure you do so immediately.
If anyone does not come to class TONIGHT, I will drop them. So, if you plan on taking my class, make
sure you are there the first night. My plan on the first night is to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Go over the course syllabus (green sheet)
Give you a preview of the topics that we will discuss during the semester
Explain my grading policy and what to expect on quizzes and tests
Explain MyEconLab homework
Give you some introductory notes (so have something to take notes on)
Regards,
Dr. Ninos P. Malek