Professor Clive Belfield, BA, MA, PhD(Econ.)
Powdermaker Hall 300R, clive.belfield@qc.cuny.edu
My office hours are Mondays/Wednesdays 12:00-2:00pm or by appointment.
The easiest way to contact me is by email; I will respond quickly.
Who is this course for?
The course is for students who want to learn about microeconomics and who are considering Economics as their major. You must be registered for this course to receive a grade.
What is this course about?
It’s about microeconomics: how consumers and producers make decisions and how markets work.
What work should you do?
Attend as many lectures as you can – ideally, every lecture. The lectures provide an overview of the topics.
For a full understanding you must read the textbook. Talk with friends about the topics. Email me if you are having difficulty. Do all the assignments and take all the exams.
What is the course textbook?
Mankiw, NG. 2004. Principles of Microeconomics . Thomson–SouthWestern. Available from the bookstore, you will need this book either in print or electronic form. You can use any edition.
What should you get from this course?
You should: feel more competent in applying fundamental economic concepts; be able to use economic concepts in discussion and debate; and be able to think clearly and intelligently, using theory and evidence, about economics.
How is the course assessed?
There are two mid-term exams (each worth 10%). There is one final exam (worth 38%). There are regular internet-based assignments. Your grade for these will be based on your best 14 scores (each worth 3%).
The first midterm is multiple choice questions. The second midterm is short-answer questions. The midterm exams will cover material up to the class immediately before the exam. The final exam will include both multiple choice and short-answer questions. The final exam will be cumulative, i.e. covering all material on the course, but with a focus on the most recent material.
You will be using Aplia for this course. Aplia is an online product that contains both a digital version of the textbook and online homework. I receive no monetary compensation from Aplia.
Make-up exams: No make-up exams will be given. If you are unable to get to class for an exam, you must let me know beforehand – preferably by email at clive.belfield@qc.cuny.edu.
Late submissions: Completion of any material after the deadline will not be graded. Asking for an extension to a deadline without a valid medical reason will mean a penalty of 5% on the final grade.
Course completion: If you do not take the final exam and at least one mid-term exam, you will receive a grade of F for this course.
Plagiarism: A student who submits work with plagiarized material or copies work from other students will receive a grade of F for the entire course. Pleas of ignorance will not be considered.
For general information on scholastic standards, see: http://qcpages.qc.edu/USSC/
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Aplia - Do not purchase a textbook at the bookstore until you read this
Your course key is:
How to Use Aplia:
Step 1: Register for Your Aplia Course
(1) Connect to http://econ.aplia.com
(2) On the Sign In page, click the Go button next to "Test Your System Configuration"; this takes just a few seconds and provides detailed information on how to update your system if necessary
(3) Head back to the Sign In page and click the "Register Here" link
(4) Fill out the form and click Continue
(5) Enter Your Course Key (K43Y-K45J-6VBY)
Problems with registration or sign in? E-mail support@aplia.com.
Step 2: Choose Your Payment Option
You have a few weeks to pay for your course and decide which option to choose. You may register and use the website without paying the fee for a limited time. If you are considering dropping this course during the drop/add period, do not make a payment until you decide to stay in the course. You need to pay the full amount before the end of the grace period to continue using the site.
You have several payment options. To find the right option for you, decide whether you want to purchase a physical textbook. Note that your Aplia course includes a digital edition (online version) of the textbook.
The physical text is optional.
Do you want to buy a physical textbook?
If No, simply pay for your Aplia course ($60.00):
Instructions on the Aplia website walk you through the payment process. There are several ways to pay. You can pay online with credit, debit, or electronic check. Aplia also accepts money orders mailed to: Aplia, Inc., 959 Skyway Rd, Suite 325, San Carlos, CA 94070.
If Yes, choose from these two options:
Note that if you buy a physical copy of the textbook this term (through either of the following options), you will receive a 0 credit towards your next course using Aplia.
Either:
1. Purchase a physical textbook through Aplia ($60.00 for Aplia, plus $50.00 for the physical textbook and $5.00 in shipping and handling)
First, purchase your Aplia course. Next, purchase your physical textbook from Aplia. After you pay for your Aplia course you can order a textbook through Aplia. Just sign into your Aplia course, click on the Bookstore link on your Home page, and follow the prompts to place your order. You can view Aplia's refund policy on textbooks in Aplia's Terms and Conditions of Use: http://econ.aplia.com/af/support/terms.jsp?
Or:
2. Buy your physical textbook from the campus bookstore (price determined by bookstore)
Textbooks from your campus bookstore come bundled with an Aplia Payment Code. Use the payment code to pay for your Aplia course online. The Aplia Payment Code covers your entire
Aplia course fee. Aplia does not refund courses paid for with an Aplia Payment Code.
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Aplia assignments:
Most assignments come in pairs of practice problem sets and graded problem sets. Practice problem sets give you immediate feedback and an explanation of the correct answer. They do not count toward your homework grade. Use them to check your understanding of the material. If you feel confident about the material, you can go directly to the graded set and refer to the practice set only if you want some help.
The graded problem sets have a firm due date. You can change your answers as many times as you like before the due date passes. Once the due date passes, Aplia records your grade and you can no longer change your answers or complete the assignment. In other words, Aplia assignments must be done by the due date. The software does not understand excuses. Do your assignments early to keep last minute emergencies from getting in your way. After the due date, Aplia displays the correct answers and explanations for graded problems.
Student benefits of Aplia: Cramming is an ineffective learning method. Aplia lets you learn by doing -- you can apply what you hear and see in the classroom and what you read in the text. Think of the regular assignments on Aplia as a weekly economics workout. Regular work in Aplia will better prepare you for lectures and exams.
FAQs:
What is an Aplia Payment Code and how can I get one?
The Aplia Payment Code is just another way to pay your Aplia course fee. You can find it bundled with your text. Your Aplia Payment Code is different from your Aplia Course Key. The course key allows us to identify your economics class and professor; the payment code tells us that you prepaid your entire Aplia course fee when you purchased the code. An Aplia Payment Code follows the format of xxxxx-xxx-xxxxxxxx and is printed on a separate card included with your textbook.
What if I purchase a payment code after paying for Aplia with my credit/debit card or electronic check?
We can refund your payment. To speed up the refund process, sign into your Aplia course and go to the My
Account tab. Click on My Courses, and enter your payment code. You will then receive an automatic refund.
Under what circumstances can I get a refund?
Refund Policy: You are entitled to a refund if you submit a refund request to Aplia during the original grace period for payment. The grace period for your course expires on 09.21.06. No refunds will be granted after this date. Requests for refunds must be submitted by email or letter and received by Aplia within the stipulated time period. Contact support@aplia.com or write to Aplia, Inc., 959 Skyway Rd, Suite 325, San
Carlos, CA 94070 USA, to request a refund.
Note: No refunds are issued for courses paid for with an Aplia Payment Code under any circumstances.
How do I access my textbook on the Aplia website?
A digital version of your textbook is available in your Aplia course. You can access textbook chapters on the Home page or through your weekly assignments.
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Timeline and Readings:
Check every week for an aplia assignment.
DATE TOPIC
Mon. Jan. 29
Wed. Jan. 31
Mon. Feb. 5
Wed. Feb. 7
Mon. Feb. 12
Wed. Feb. 14
Thurs. Feb. 15
Mon. Feb. 19
Wed. Feb. 21
Mon. Feb. 26
Wed. Feb. 28
Mon. Mar. 5
Wed. Mar. 7
Mon. Mar. 12
Wed. Mar. 14
Mon. Mar. 19
Wed. Mar. 21
Mon. Mar. 26
Wed. Mar. 28
Mon. Apr. 2
Wed. Apr. 4
Mon. Apr. 9
Wed. Apr. 11
Mon. Apr. 16
Wed. Apr. 18
Mon. Apr. 23
Wed. Apr. 25
Mon. Apr. 30
Wed. May 2
Mon. May 7
Wed. May 9
Mon. May 14
Wed. May 16
Thurs. May 17
Course Introduction
Overview: What are the big ideas?
Being an economist
The gains from trade
Lincoln’s birthday – no class
Market forces: Supply and demand
Elasticity
President’s day – no class
Supply, demand, and government policies
Market efficiency
Application: The costs of taxation
Mid-term examination #1
Application: International trade
Externalities
Public goods and common resources
The design of the tax system
The costs of production
Firms in competitive markets
Monopoly
Spring break – no class
Spring break – no class
Spring break – no class
Oligopoly
Mid-term examination #2
Monopolistic competition
Factors of production
Earnings/discrimination
Rate of return to college
Income inequality and poverty
Consumer choice theory – part 1
Consumer choice theory – part 2
Frontiers of microeconomics
Microeconomics of information
Examination period
TEXTBOOK
9
10
11
7
8
6
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20
21
21
17
18
19
22
16
12
13
14
15
CHAPTER
1
2
4
5
3
4

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