College of Charleston
Spring 2011
MW 4:00-5:45 pm
NC Room 203
Professor: Jesus Sandoval-Hernandez
9 Glebe St. Room 300. Phone 953-4883
Office hours: MW 3- 4pm, NC campus
or by appointment
E-mail: sandovalhernandezj@cofc.edu
ECON 200: INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMICS
Course web page: http://sandovalhernandezj.people.cofc.edu/econ200.htm
1. COURSE OVERVIEW
Economics 1 is an introductory course in microeconomics. The course is intended to introduce
you to the ways in which economists view the world and attempt to solve economic problems,
and to teach you to utilize these ways of thinking when you approach economic questions. We
will focus on some basic concepts that most economists find useful in analyzing economic issues
and we will apply these concepts to a variety of problems. We will analyze how and why
markets work, why they may fail to work, and the implications for public policies of both their
successes and failures. Among the markets to be examined are the market for labor, the markets
for goods, and the markets for clean air and water.
2. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The required textbook for the course is Microeconomics by Paul Krugman and Robin Wells,
Worth Publishers, second edition, 2009, and should be available at the Bookstore. In addition to
reading the textbook material, I expect you to read current national and international news from
respected journalist sources. As time permits class materials will incorporate current events.
There will be a series of problem sets, unannounced quizzes, two midterms and a comprehensive
final exam. Homework will be evaluated based on effort (check plus, check, check minus and
zero). Make-up exams, quizzes, and homework are unacceptable without a documented illness
or documented family emergencies. You are expected to attend lectures regularly and to actively
participate in class. An active participation implies asking/answering questions, and sharing both
economics news and your own views. Grades will be determined as follows:
Homework and quizzes 25%
Midterm Exam
25%
Paper
10%
Final Exam
40%
For a good performance in the exams, I encourage you (i) to complete the assigned readings
before class and to read the material again after lecture; (ii) to work out both required and
optional problems from your homework problem sets.
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3. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
DATE
TOPICS
READINGS, EXAMS
1
1/10-14
2
1/18-1/21
3
1/24-1/28
4
1/31-2/4
5
2/7-2/11
6
2/14-2/18
7
2/21-2/25
8
2/28-3/4
9
3/14-3/18
Introduction, first principles, economic
models,
Supply and demand
Overview, Chapters 1-2 plus appendix
from chapter 2
Chapter 3
Supply and demand (Cont.),
Chapter 3
Consumer and producer surplus
Chapter 4
Markets interventions: Price and quantity
controls
Elasticity
Chapter 5
Taxes
Economic decision making
Chapter 7
Midterm one
Chapter 9
Producer theory: the production decision
Chapter 12
10
3/21-3/25
11
3/28-4/1
12
4/4-4/8
13
4/11-4/15
14
4/18-4/20
15
4/22-4/25
16
4/29
Perfect competition
Chapters 13
Monopoly,
Chapter 14
Oligopoly
Chapter 15
Midterm two
Chapter 16
Monopolistic competition and product
differentiation;
Externalities
Chapters 6
Chapter 17
Public goods & common resources
Chapter 18
Final Exam
Comprehensive
4:00-7:00 pm
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact information
The best way to contact me is by email. My email is sandovalhernandezj@cofc.edu
Student Honesty Policy:
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Students are expected to abide to the College of Charleston Honor Code and Code of Student
Conduct. This means you are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations
such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action with severe consequences.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with documented learning disability, approved by SNAP Services to receive
accommodations, contact me during my office hours.
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