University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Economics
ECO300
Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey K. Sarbaum
Office: BRYN #466
Office Hours: Anytime I am in my office you may drop in to ask a brief question or two. My
office hours are scheduled for MWF 12:00-1:00 p.m. I try to be in my office during this time but
occasionally will have another obligation. Please make an appointment in advance if you
positively need to meet with me.
Email: jksarbau@uncg.edu
Office Phone: From campus X44866, off campus 334-4866 (anytime)
Course Description: Examines the history structure and institutional foundations of the
international trading system. Analyzes the impact of trade on economic growth, employment
and living standards with a focus on contemporary issues.
Prerequisites: All students in this class are required to have completed ECO101 or 201, and
ECO202, or their equivalent.
Course Learning Outcomes: To achieve these GL SLOs within the context of this course,
students who successfully complete this course will be able to critically analyze international
economic issues through achievement of the following course specific SLOs:
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ECO 300 SLO 1: Identify important positive international economic issues present in
the global economy. (Links to GL Marker SLO 1)
ECO 300 SLO 2: Identify important public policy and other normative international
economic issues present in the global economy. (Links to GL Marker SLO 3)
ECO 300 SLO 3: Choose appropriate models and other frames of reference for
addressing global economics issues. (Links to GL Marker SLO 3)
ECO 300 SLO 4: Gather information appropriate to addressing global economic
issues. (Links to GL Marker SLO 2)
ECO 300 SLO 5: Use appropriate information, models, and other frames of reference
to analyze global economic issues. (Links to GL Marker SLO 1 and GL Marker SLO 2)
Required Text, Media, and Software:
• ECO300 The International Economy: Custom Pearson Book by Jeff Sarbaum (2013),
ISBN 9781269260404.
• Mobius SLIP: Software used to complete the writing assignments. You do NOT need
to do anything in advance. You will receive an email a week or two after the class
begins directing you to the website. The email will contain instructions on how to
create an account, etc.
Recommended Text:
• The Choice: A Fable of Free Trade and Protectionism, 3rd by Russell Roberts (2006),
ISBN 9780131433540
Web Resources:
You will visit websites and UNCG e-reserves for additional reading and multimedia content as
you work through the course units and complete your assignments. Links to these materials
are provided within each unit.
UNCG, ECO300: The International Economy, Syllabus
2
Student Expectations: Learning to think--as opposed to memorizing material--requires active
involvement in the learning process. Studies show that students who are active participants in
the classroom and who complete assignments generally get significantly higher grades than
do students who are only passively involved. As a result, it is important that you:
1. Attend and actively participate in class (few, if any, absences all semester)
2. Read the textbook and actively work through the course website (6-8 hours per
week)
3. Turn in all outside assignments
Students are responsible for all materials presented in class and for all readings assigned.
Grades will be based on two out of three multiple-choice midterm exams, one multiple-choice
cumulative final exam, and a series of writing assignments.
Writing Assignments:
There are a series of writing assignments for this course. You will be randomly assigned to a
group (made up of 4-6 students) for each assignment. You are responsible for three
deliverables which will be due over the course of a number of days for each assignment. See
the class due date for details.
a. First, you will submit your written assignment. (deliverable #1)
b. Second, you will receive a copy of the written assignment submitted by each
member in your group. You will rank the quality of each of these from best to
worst and provide each with written comments/feedback. (deliverable #2)
c. Third, you will receive a copy of the comments/feedback from each group
member about your work. You will rank the quality of the comments/feedback
you receive from best to worst. (deliverable #3)
The peers in your group for each assignment will be anonymous and you will be randomly
sorted into a new group of peers for each assignment. In other words, you will never know
who is in your group and for each assignment there will be new students in your group.
The software you will be using to make all of this happen is called Mobius SLIP. During the
second week of class you receive a notice from Mobius SLIP that will direct you to a website
and instructions to create an account. This cost to create this account is $20. Once your
account is created, you will begin to receive regular emails alerting you of the assignments,
comments/feedback, due dates, etc. Your grade will depend on the absolute and relative
quality of your assignments as well as the absolute and relative quality of the feedback you
provide to your peers.
Grading:
Writing Assignments
Mid-Term Exam I, II, II (best 2/3)
Cumulative Final
25%
50% (each exam is worth 25%)
25%
The following course grades correspond to the following total percentage:
A+
100% and above
A
93% to 100%
A90% to 93%
B+
86% to 90%
B
83% to 86%
B80% to 83%
C+
76% to 80%
C
73% to 76%
C70% to 73%
D+
66% to 70%
D
63% to 66%
D60% to 63%
F
below 60%
UNCG, ECO300: The International Economy, Syllabus
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Grades are not rounded-up. An average of 89.999% is a B+. An average of 90.001% is an A-.
Grading Policies: No late homework/quizzes will be accepted. No makeup quizzes will be
given. No makeup mid-term exams will be scheduled. Because there is an allowance for
dropping a midterm grade, there will be no exception to these policies for any reason. For the
final exam, a makeup will only be granted for serious circumstances that are beyond your
control. You should be prepared to provide tangible evidence that the situation is indeed
beyond your control.
ECO300 and MGT301 Similarities: Certain topics and course content appear in both the
ECO 300 and MGT 301 syllabi. This replication of topics is meant to build your knowledge,
understanding, and analysis of global issues facing economic policy makers in ECO 300 and
business managers in MGT 301.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to know and abide by the UNCG Academic
Integrity Policies. http://sa.uncg.edu/dean/academic-integrity/
Faculty/ Student Guidelines (Undergraduate Program Compact):
http://www.uncg.edu/bae/faculty_student_guidelines.pdf
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices may ONLY be used for typing class notes and
working on approved class assignments. Using an electronic device in class is a privilege
(unless its use is formally approved by the Office of Disability Services). Surfing the web,
instant messaging, texting others, playing online or computer games, and/or checking email
during class is prohibited. Violation of these rules may result in the individual and/or the class
being precluded from using electronic devices. Electronic devices cannot be used for
taping/recording the class without prior approval.