VALENCIA COLLEGE
SPRING 2016 - ECO 2023
PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS - MICRO
3 Credit Hours
EC-008 - ROOM: 143
Instructor:
Mr. Rick Washick
Telephone:
407-920-3979 (cell)
E-Mail:
rwashick1@valenciacollege.edu
Office Hours:
By appointment.
Prerequisites:
None
Text:
Boyes/Melvin, Microeconomics, 10th ed. - With Cengage MindTap® Access
Cengage (Mindtap): Cengage MindTap (Link within Blackboard)
Section:
ECO-2023
CRN:
26893
Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 5:30pm – 8:05pm
Class Website:
www.valencia.washick.net
Course Description: Introduction to economic theory and fundamentals of economic analysis. Emphasis on
study of microeconomics: market structure, price determination, factors of production, distribution of income and
effects of monopoly and oligopoly on markets.
Requirements:
• All chapter homework and exams will be assigned and available through Cengage MinTap.
Grading:
The course grade will be determined as follows:
Attendance/Class Participation
30 points
Chapter Homework
70 points
Four Exams
400 points
Total Points: 500 points
450 points or above 90 – 100%
400 – 449.9 points
80 – 89%
350 – 399.9 points
70 – 79%
300 – 349.9 points
60 – 69%
299.9 points or below 0 – 59%
=A
=B
=C
=D
=F
If you are failing the course, you will receive a mid-term report.
Valencia Student Core Competencies
This course seeks to reinforce the following Valencia Student Competencies:
• Think clearly, critically and creatively by analyzing, synthesizing, integrating and evaluating symbolic
works and truth claims.
• Reflect on your own and others’ values from individual, cultural and global perspectives.
• Communicate by reading, listening, writing and speaking effectively.
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Act purposefully, reflectively and responsibly by implementing effective problem solving and decision
making strategies.
Valencia Student Core Competencies can be found at http://valenciacollege.edu/catalog/current/
•
Evaluation:
Class Attendance/Participation: A student can accrue a maximum of 30 points for Class
Attendance/Participation which is a function of being in attendance plus any in-class question/answer and/or class
activities completed. As long as the student does not miss more than 4 class meetings the student will receive all
30 points. For every class meeting missed after 4 class meetings the student’s Class Attendance/Participation will
be reduced by 5 additional points. In other words if 10 class meetings are missed the student will receive zero
points for Class Attendance/Participation. Note: Since our class meets once per week the “first half” and the
“second half” of class is each considered a “class meeting”.
Attendance is critical to understanding and is extremely important. Attendance/Participation will be confirmed
either by Attendance or by an “in class” exercise during class. If the student arrives more than 15 minutes after
the class meeting has begun then the student is considered as missing that class meeting.
Chapter Homework: Homework will be located via Cengage MindTap and is worth 5 points for each chapter
for a total of 70 possible points. You will have up to 3 attempts to complete the chapter homework and the
average score of the attempts will be accepted. There are no time requirements per homework but must be
submitted before the due date. The homework will be due by the date/time listed within Cengage MindTap as
well as the class calendar (listed below). Please do not ask the instructor to "reopen" a homework assignment
after its due date as that will not occur and is the student’s responsibility to plan accordingly. It is strongly
recommended that the student does not wait until the very last minute to complete the chapter homework and
plan accordingly. The instructor is not responsible for internet connection issues/etc.
Exams: There will be four exams worth 100 points each for a total of 400 possible points. The exams will be
supplied within Cengage MindTap and will be available a minimum of one week in advance of its due date.
There are no time requirements for the exam but must be submitted before the due date. The exams will be due
by the date/time listed within Cengage MindTap as well as the class calendar (listed below). Please do not ask the
instructor to "reopen" an exam after its due date as that will not occur and is the student’s responsibility to plan
accordingly. It is strongly recommended that the student does not wait until the very last minute to complete the
chapter homework and plan accordingly. The instructor is not responsible for internet connection issues/etc.
"No-Show" Status: If a student misses the first two weeks of class meetings, and does not notify the instructor
as to the reason and resolution, then the student will be withdrawn from the class as a "no-show". If you are
withdrawn as a "no-show" you will be financially responsible for the class and a "W" will appear on your
transcript for the course.
Withdrawal Policy: Per Valencia Policy a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline of
February 19, 2016 will receive a grade of "W." A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal
deadline. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the
same course will be assigned a grade of "F." Please refer to Valencia Catalog for a complete policy and
procedure overview.
Expected Student Conduct: Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and
learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at
Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general
rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty.
Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the
faculty to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to
and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class,
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disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will
find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.
Valencia ID cards
Valencia ID cards are required for the Library, Testing Center, and IMC usage. No other form of ID at those
locations will be accepted. Possession and utilization of a Valencia ID is mandatory to obtain these services.
Students with Disabilities: "Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a
notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor,
preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines
accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. The East Campus Office is located in
Building 5, Room 216."
Cell Phones: The instructor understands that cell phones have become an important part of our lives but can be
very distracting in an educational setting. For this reason students are required to turn off all cell phones and
pagers before the beginning of class and must not be visible to the student during the class period. A student will
be given a warning for the first offense if a cell phone or pager vibrates or is audible or a cell phone is being used.
Further offenses will require the instructor speaking with the individual directly and can, at the discretion of the
instructor, reduce the class participation points available for that student. In an extreme scenario the instructor
reserves the right to remove the student from the classroom and, if necessary, initiate disciplinary action as per
Valencia College rules. If there is an emergency situation warranting the use of a cell phone or pager during class
time, the student must notify the instructor at the beginning of class.
Class Website: The instructor has created a class website (www.valencia.washick.net) where all PowerPoint
slides and misc. files will be available as well as links to relevant Valencia College and class related websites.
Email: Any email correspondence must go through the Valencia College email listed on first page and you will
get an email reply confirming receipt usually within 24 hours (in most cases much quicker). Any email MUST
contain the CRN number so instructor will know which class the student is in. Do NOT email through
Blackboard as that does not get forwarded and is many times not seen. Only the email address listed on the first
page is acceptable and instructor is not responsible for any emails sent to any other unapproved email addresses.
Note: Instructor has full text capabilities and the student is welcome to use text messaging for time sensitive
questions or information.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus at any time during the course.
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ECO 2023 Book Purchase Options for Spring 2016
There are several options for obtaining your course materials:
A) The VCC bookstore has the following package in stock –
Boyes/Melvin - Bundle: Microeconomics, Loose-Leaf Version, 10th + LMS Integrated for
MindTap® Economics, 1 term (6 months) Printed Access Card
ISBN – 1305785797
PRICE - $124.80(?)
B) You can purchase the all-digital MindTap (eBook included) Instant Access Code directly
through Aplia –
http://www.Apliabrain.com/shop/ISBN/9781305398085
PRICE - $125.00(?)
NOTE: This is NOT an easy course. YOU WILL HAVE TO READ THE BOOK. Please purchase the right tools for you
to help you learn and EARN the grade you desire.
**MindTap is bundled with the loose-leaf textbook at the bookstore or by itself on the Aplia Learning URL
provided above. This was included by your instructor as required technology and to empower you to master
concepts, prepare for exams, and score a higher grade. **
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Course Calendar:
Chapter
Homework Due
(In MindTap)
Day
Date
Chapter
Tuesday
1/12/2016
Introduction: General Economic Discussion
Chapter One: The Wealth of Nations
Thursday
1/14/2016
Chapter One: The Wealth of Nations
Chapter Two: Scarcity and Opportunity Costs
Tuesday
1/19/2016
Chapter Two: Scarcity and Opportunity Costs
Chapter Three: Markets and the Price System
Thursday
1/21/2016
Chapter Three: Markets and the Price System
Chapter Six: Elasticity - Demand and Supply
Tuesday
1/26/2016
Chapter Six: Elasticity - Demand and Supply
Chapter Seven: Demand - Consumer Choice
Thursday
1/28/2016
Chapter Seven: Demand - Consumer Choice
Chapter Eight: Supply - The Costs of Doing Business
Tuesday
2/2/2016
Chapter Eight: Supply - The Costs of Doing Business
Chapter Nine: Profit Maximization
Thursday
2/4/2016
Chapter Nine: Profit Maximization
Chapter Ten: Perfect Competition
Tuesday
2/9/2016
Chapter Ten: Perfect Competition
Thursday
2/11/2016
Chapter Eleven: Monopoly
Tuesday
2/16/2016
Chapter Eleven: Monopoly
Chapter Twelve: Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly
Thursday
2/18/2016
Chapter Thirteen: Markets and Government
Chapter Fifteen: Resource Markets
Tuesday
2/23/2016
Chapter Fifteen: Resource Markets
Thursday
2/25/2016
Chapter Sixteen: The Labor Market
Chapter Twenty: World Trade Equilibrium
Tuesday
3/1/2016
Last Class Meeting
Exam Review
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Exams
(In MindTap)
Chapter One
Chapters
Two and Three
Chapters
Six and Seven
Exam One Due
Chpts 1-3, 6
Chapters
Eight and Nine
Chapters
Ten and Eleven
Exam Two Due
Chpts 7-10
Chapters
Twelve, Thirteen, and
Fifteen
Exam Three Due
Chpts 11-13, 15
Chapters
Sixteen and Twenty
Exam Four Due
Chpts 16, 20