ECON 3310 – Economic Issues & Policy
Course Syllabus
Fall, 2014
Course Objectives:
To identify and communicate, both orally and in writing, different academic
perspectives on economic issues and policy and to defend an independent,
informed personal opinion after doing so. It combines the foundational content
elements of an introductory economics course with the higher order analytic
challenges of a more advanced economic issues and policy class. We will cover
the basics of macroeconomics and microeconomics in the context of social
problems and their solutions. Specifically, we will look at world poverty,
economic systems, the role of government, externalities, income distribution,
industry organization, globalization, technology, economic growth, money and
banking, unemployment and inflation, government spending and taxation and
social programs. We will examine issues relating to health care, the environment,
immigration, trade, debt, education, poverty, war, regulation, and more. You will
explore an additional area of personal interest for your independent project.
Instructor:
Mrs. Susan Doty
Director of the Center for Economics and Financial Literacy
& Senior Lecturer in Economics, Department of Social Sciences
The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Boulevard, Tyler, TX 75799
Office:
BUS #240
E-mail:
sdoty@uttyler.edu
Please note that e-mail is my preferred method of contact. Even if you want to
talk by phone, the best way to do so is by sending me an e-mail and asking me to
call you back. Please always identify yourself and provide the course and section
you are in. Only if the UT Tyler server is down, use my alternate email address:
econedinstructor@gmail.com.
Phone:
903-566-7459 (Office) – 903-570-9020 (Cell for text messages only). Again,
please be sure to identify yourself by name, course and section. Text for simple
questions only! For anything that requires a more thorough or complicated
answer, please use email.
Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 1:30-3:30 in BUS 240 (or by appointment on
Fridays)
You do not need to set up an appointment to meet with me during MW office
hours although you may have to wait if other students arrive before you. If you
want to meet with me on a Friday, please set up an appointment. I am not
normally available to meet with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays because of
my commitment to the Center for Economic Education and Financial
Literacy on those two days. My faculty office is on the 2nd floor of the Business
building. I make extensive use of Blackboard and will establish additional
channels for both synchronous and asynchronous online virtual office hours as
needed. I respond quickly to email and text.
Meeting Times:
We meet on MWF from 11:10-12:05. Notice these are new class times in Fall
2014. Check your MyUTTyler account for final classroom location because
rooms may change through the first week depending on enrollment.
Required Texts:
1. Behrevish, Nariman. Spin-Free Economics. McGraw-Hill Publishers. 2009.
ISBN: 978-0-07-154903-5
2. Levitt, Steven D. and Stephen J. Dubner. Think Like a Freak. Harper Collins
Publishers. 2014. ISBN: 978-0-06221833-9
Supplemental:
See Blackboard for additional weekly readings, notes and videos.
Study Time:
A general guideline is that you should spend three hours of independent study
time outside of class for each hour in class. We meet for three hours each week
so that is nine hours of independent work each week. I know you are all high
achieving, exceptional students to be in an upper level economics class but,
nonetheless, YOU need to be realistic about your own capabilities and
commitments!
Classroom Conduct:
This is simply a matter of respect – mine for you – yours for each other and for
me. This will be more like a seminar class so please keep your electronic devices
turned off. In economics, we learn about the importance of private property
ownership – be good stewards of university property. Do not photograph,
audio or video tape lectures, discussions or activities. Do not copy or
distribute any presentation, activity, or assessment materials from class or on-line
supplement. The University of Texas at Tyler has an academic integrity policy.
I take it very seriously and expect you to also. Be honest, do your best
independent work, contribute to the class community and learn.
Class Preparation:
You should read and complete assignments before class.
Class Participation:
One of the most rewarding outcomes of having this upper level forum is the
opportunity to see you learn from each other. We will have lots of class
discussion and activity. Your attendance, preparation and participation is
expected. I will choose 10 days at random over the semester to evaluate your
effort and accomplishment.
Jing Presentations:
These will be five minute online presentations where you analyze a portion of an
economic issues and policy case. You will post your Jings in a discussion board
forum on Blackboard. The analysis and presentation you do for these Jings will
help you prepare for your final project.
Final Project:
You will prepare your own issues and policy case. First, you will choose an
interesting economic problem, frame it dichotomously in terms of a yes/no
question, explain why it is an important/timely/relevant issue, explain the
underlying economic concepts, find opposing economic experts, summarize their
opinions and, finally, identify, develop and defend your own position. Turn the
written assignment in via SafeAssign on Blackboard and oral assignment in via
Jing in a discussion board forum on Blackboard.
Midterm exam:
The midterm exam will consist of two parts held on two consecutive days. Part
A will consist of multiple choice and problems. Part B will consist of short
answers and essays. Students who successfully completed a Principles of
Economics class with me are exempt from this exam and will receive the
grade received for the Principles course.
Final exam:
The final exam is a COMPREHENSIVE EXAM covering any and all material
from the course. Students who successfully completed a Principles of Economics
class with me are exempt from this exam and will receive the grade received for
the Principles course. Students who successfully completed a Principles of
Economics class with me are exempt from this exam and will receive the
grade received for the Principles course.
Grading:
You may earn a maximum of 1000 points from six categories as indicated
below:







Grade Calculation:
Your final grade will be determined by the number of points you earn
divided by 1000 points. Points are converted to letter grades, as follows:





Make-Up Policy:
A = 90% of 1000 points = at least 900 earned points
B = 80% of 1000 points = at least 800 earned points
C = 70% of 1000 points = at least 700 earned points
D = 60% of 1000 points = at least 600 earned points (there’s no excuse!!!)
F = Less than 600 points (really?!)
This policy is designed for all students who miss an exam for any reason,
including but not limited to, university-sponsored activities, personal illness,
friend or family emergency, work conflict, or any other cause.




Additional Info:
Introduction Jing = 1@50 points = 50 points
Class Activities = 100 points
Contribution to Seminar Discussions = 100
Jing Projects = 2@50 points = 100 points
Midterm = 2 @ 100 points = 200 points
Final Exam = 1@200 = 200 points
Final Project = 1@250 = 250 points
A one-page summary of a missed class topic may be substituted for class
activity or seminar discussion if turned in on the day of return to class.
Jing projects will be accepted up to one week late at a 50% penalty.
Missing either part of the Midterm may be made up by increasing the value
of the final exam by 100 points.
The final project will be accepted up to one week late at a 50% penalty.
This is a draft syllabus. A detailed class schedule and university-mandated
addendums will be added to this syllabus and posted before the first day of class.