Economics 110 (01)
Prof. John P. Bonin
Introduction to Economic Theory
TR: 9:00 – 10:20 a.m.
Spring 2016
COURSE INFORMATION
This course is a one-semester introduction to the terminology, concerns, and methods of
economic analysis. It is intended primarily for students who plan to major in economics.
The course presupposes a working knowledge of single-variable differential calculus.
Text: Paul Krugman and Robin Wells, Economics 4th Edition, Worth Publishers, 2015.
Referred to in the Course Outline as Text
Examinations: Examinations MUST be taken at the scheduled times. You must
consult with the instructor during the first week of class to ascertain your eligibility to
take this class if you will have any difficulty with the following examination schedule.
Progress Examination #1: Tuesday, February 23
Progress Examination #2: Tuesday, April 5
Final examination: Tuesday, May 10: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Homework Assignments: Problem sets will be assigned almost weekly; there will be a
total of 11 assignments. Homework will be due in class on Tuesday mornings in weeks
in which no progress examination is scheduled. You may consult with others on these
assignments but the work that you submit must be your own. The student course
assistants hold weekly help sessions to assist students who are having difficulty with the
homework. The course assistants will NOT provide answers to homework problems
at that time. Problem sets must be submitted on time to receive full credit.
Grading: Grading is based on the average grade on the problem sets (15%), the two
term examinations (25% each) and the final exam (35%). Upward trends in performance
receive extra weight, as does an exceptionally strong performance on the final
examination. Grading errors should be brought to the attention of the instructor
immediately. Requests for extra credit or special considerations for improving grades will
not be entertained for equity reasons. In addition, incompletes are not likely to be
granted. You must bring any emergency to the instructor’s attention immediately.
Honor System: The Wesleyan Honor Code applies to all assignments and examinations.
Any concerns about the application of the Honor Code to any assignment must be
brought to the instructor’s attention immediately.
Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected. Exam questions may be based on
lecture material that is not covered in the readings or homework assignments.
Courtesy dictates that you be on time for class.
The instructor may deny admittance to any student arriving late for class.
2
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topic
Chapters
Assignments
0
Introduction to Economics
Text
Introduction & 1
1
Production Possibilities & Trade
Text
2&3
PS#1 (1/26)
2
Markets & Global Economy
Text
4&8
PS#2 (2/2)
3
Markets: Intervention & Elasticities Text
5, 6, 7 (187-203)
PS#3 (2/9)
4
National Income & Finance
21, 22, 23 & 25
PS#4 (2/16)
Text
First Progress Examination: Tuesday, February 23
5&6 Macroeconomic Policy
Text
26, 27 & 28
PS#5 (3/1)
7
Banking & Monetary Policy
Text
29 & 30
PS#6 (3/22)
8
Consumers’ Economic Decisions
Text
10 & Appendix
PS#7 (3/29)
Second Progress Examination: Tuesday, April 5
9&10 Production, Cost & Competition
Text
9, 11 & 12
PS#8 (4/12)
11
Text 13, 14 &
15 (445-449 & 457 – 461)
PS#9 (4/19)
Monopolists & Oligarchs
12
Labor Markets & Economic Policy Text
19, 31, 32 & 33
PS#10 (4/26)
13
Growth & Global Economics
24 & 34
PS#11 (5/3)
Text
Final Exam: Tuesday, May 10: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Instructor Office Hours
Monday:
PAC 305
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 (noon)
Contact Information: jbonin@wesleyan.edu or x2353
Student Assistants: CA: Courtney Wiegand
CA: Samara Prywes