PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS
ECONOMICS 211
Fall 2008
Sec
1
2
3
4
5
6
Time
TTh 13:00-14:15
TTh 10:50-12:05
MWF 10:00-10:50
TTh 9:25-10:40
MWF 13:00-13:50
MWF 11:00-11:50
Instructor
You
Soligo
Wu
Dinh
Ertemel
Kumar
Office
Email
Ext
Office Hours
BB268
soligo
3354
TTh 1:30-3 pm
BB 237
BB237
BB237
trang
sertemel
rkt
2304
2304
MW 2:15-3:15
M, Th 2-3 pm
MW12:30-1:30pm
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Microeconomics by Richard G. Lipsey, Christopher T.S. Ragan and Paul A. Storer 13th edition. Copies
of the book are available in the bookstore. Used copies are available through online sites.
ECON 211 HOME PAGE
Announcements, homework assignments, answers to homework assignments and other important
information will be posted on the Econ 211 home page.
HOMEWORK
There will be 11 problem sets. Discussion of the homework questions among students is permitted but
each student must turn in a separate assignment. That is, while students may work on problems
collectively they must hand in an independently written set of answers. Homework submissions that
appear to be identical will be viewed as a violation of the Honor Code and will be referred to the Honor
Council for investigation.
IMPORTANT: homework must be neat and easy to read. Sloppy assignments will not be graded and will
be given a grade of zero.
Answers to the homework assignments will be posted on the Econ 211 home page.
EXAMINATIONS
There will be two midterm examinations (each 2 hours), and one final examination (3 hours) for the
course. Midterm exams are scheduled for Thursday evenings. The midterm exam dates are shown on the
list of topics below. Please set aside these dates NOW. There are no make-up exams. Students must
take these examinations at the scheduled time. Any student who is unable to take an exam at the
scheduled time must make arrangements to take it ahead of time. Exams will not be rescheduled solely
because students have exams for other courses on or near the same dates as exams for this course. In
case of genuine and verifiable emergencies, students must work out arrangements with their instructors.
Midterm exams will be preceded by a Review Session. The time and location of these sessions are listed
below.
ASSESSMENT
The course grade will be calculated as follows:
1
Homework
20%
Mid-term Exams 45%
Final Exam
35%
TUTORING
Tutoring sessions are scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays (except where noted in the Reading List)
from 7:00 to 9:00pm. All tutorial are scheduled for BB 116 – regardless of date. These tutorials are for
students who need additional help with the course. If are doing well in the course your attendance will
shift the focus of tutors away from those who truly need help.
COURSE COORDINATOR
Professor Ronald Soligo, Baker Building 268, Ext. 3354, soligo@rice.edu. Sometimes office hours need
to be cancelled on short notice. Hence, contact through e-mail to set up an appointment is recommended.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is
requested to speak with their instructor during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will remain
confidential. Students with disabilities should also contact Disabled Student Services in the Ley Student
Center.
COURSE SCHEDULE
NOTE: Appendices to ALL chapters are included.
WEEK
TOPICS, READINGS, EVENTS
CHAPTERS
Aug. 25
Introduction, Production Possibility Frontier
1, 2
No tutorials this week
Sept. 1
Demand and Supply, Elasticity
3, 4
LABOR DAY: Mon, Sept. 1 – No Class
Problem Set #1. Due, Thurs/Fri, Sept. 4/5
The Monday tutorial meets Wednesday; the Tuesday tutorial meets Thursday this
week.
Sept. 8
Applications
5
Problem Set #2. Due, Thurs/Fri, Sept. 11/12
Sept. 15
Consumer Behavior
6
Problem Set #3. Due, Thurs/Fri, Sept. 18/19
2
Sept 22
Consumer Behavior (Cont’d), Production in Short Run
6, 7
Problem Set #4. Due, Thurs/Fri, Sept. 25/26
Sept 29
Production and Costs (Cont’d)
7, 8
FIRST MIDTERM EXAM: Thurs, Oct 2, 7-9 PM in HZ AMP
(Review Session on Wed Oct 1, 7-9pm in KH 100)
Covers material in Chapters 1 – 6
Oct. 6
Perfect Competition
9
Problem Set #5. Due, Thurs/Fri, Oct 9/10.
Oct. 13
Monopoly
10
MIDTERM RECESS: Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 13/14
The Monday tutorial meets Wednesday; Tuesday tutorial meets Thursday this week
Oct. 20
Imperfect Competition
11
Problem Set #6. Due Thurs/Fri Oct 23/24
Oct. 27
Economic Efficiency and Public policy
12
Problem Set #7. Due Thurs/Fri, Oct 30/31
DROP DEADLINE for returning undergraduates, Friday, Oct 31.
Last Day to designate course to “Pass/Fail” option, Friday, Oct 31.
Nov. 3
Factor Markets
13, 14
SECOND MIDTERM EXAM: Thurs, Nov 6, 7-9 PM in HZ AMP.
Covers material in Chapters 7-12
(Review Session on Wed, Nov 5, 7-9 pm in HZ 210)
Nov. 10
Factor Markets (Cont’d)
14, 15
Problem Set #8. Due Thurs/Fri, Nov13/14
Nov. 17
Market Failure
16
Problem Set #9. Due Tues/Wed Nov 20/21
Nov. 24
Externalities
16, 17
3
THANKSGIVING RECESS: NOV. 27-28 (Thurs.-Fri.)
Problem Set #10. Due Wed Nov 26, 5 pm
Dec 1
Environment
Dec 5
Last Day of Classes
17
Tutorial meets Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week
Problem Set #11. Due Friday, Dec 5, 5 pm.
4