ECON-400-DL1A-Economics-2014FA
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University of Bridgeport
School of Business
Economics 400
Fall 2014
Instructor: Robert Orescovich, Ph.D.
Office: Mandeville 10
Office Hours: by Appointment
Office Phone: 860.420.9661
Required Materials

Textbook: R.G. Hubbard and A.P. O’Brien, Economics, 4th edition, Pearson Publishers,
2013. www.pearsonhighered.com. Important: Failure to have access to the textbook, having
the wrong textbook, etc. does not excuse anyone from reading the material or from
completing assignments.

Calculator - you need a calculator that can add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Recommended Reading
Regular reading of New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
Course Description
This is a course for managers in both micro and macro economics. Topics addressed will include
the prevailing patterns of economic institutions, national income analysis, international trade,
prices and production; economic development, market structure and consumer decision analysis,
competition, monopoly and monetary policy issues.
Course Outcomes
This course is intended to introduce MBA students to the discipline of economics. It begins with
an overview of economic analysis and economic decision makers, followed by a presentation of
the concepts of microeconomics: market system, structure and pricing, and resource markets.
Then, the fundamentals of macroeconomics will be introduced, covering topics such as
productivity, growth, unemployment, inflation, economic aggregates, fiscal and monetary theory
and policy. This course, upon successful completion, will provide students with a broad
knowledge of the main principles of economics, both in the area of microeconomics (the
operation of individual markets) and in macroeconomics (the operation of the economy as a
whole).
Assignments
Format – writing assignments and discussions will be given out over the course of the semester
on a weekly basis. They will mostly be questions about the material we are covering in class and
in the textbook, but may also be reviews of newspaper articles, news programs, problem sets,
Assignments are not accepted via email, fax or via proxy – they all need to be submitted through
Canvas. Work that is sloppy, illegible, or that lacks the effort required of a graduate MBA program
will be severely downgraded.
Due Dates / Late Assignments - All work, unless otherwise directed, is due on its due date at 11:59
pm. Anything that is submitted after that time is considered late and is penalized 10 points. Any
work not submitted within 24 hours of the due date is graded a zero. It is the student’s
responsibility to submit his or her own work on time. Canvas is the official time keeper. All
assignments must be submitted in a .doc, .xls or .pdf file format only. Assignments are not
accepted in other formats or as video or audio files, unless specifically requested.
Discussions – Must occur within Canvas as specified in the Discussion section of the syllabus. It
is NOT possible to submit work for late discussions. Discussions will close at the prescribed time
with no extensions. There will be several on line discussions over the semester - ABOUT 1-2 PER
WEEK. You are expected to participate in them, participate in them on time and in the
framework prescribed by the instructor, and participate in them with thoughtfulness. Discussions
will be graded based on the criteria set forth below.
For example, when I assign a discussion question on line, I will require you to make

Make one major comment of your own, and

Make 3 replies to other’s comments. These replies need to be made on 3 different days so
as to encourage discussion. Your reply may overlap your major comment, but may not
overlap each other. You are more than welcome to post more than that, and are actively
encouraged to do so. That is what your classmates and I are expecting you to do. There is no
grace period for discussions – the discussion closes down at a specified time and date.
The grading criteria for your on line commentary:
1. to what extent are you making the appropriate number of comments and replies in the time
frame allotted;
2. to what extent are your comments substantial in terms of length; meaningful, insightful, and
thoughtful in terms of their quality; and making positive contributions to the on line discussion.
3. Discussions will be closed down at a certain time. There is no grace period for a discussion
board; it closes immediately at the concluding date and time.
4. Your discussions are not graded based on the “correctness” of what you write per se, but are
almost exclusively based on items 1-2-3 above.
The “small class caveat” (SCC) – the instructor may invoke/utilize the SCC clause of discussions.
This means that if there is a limited or small number of students in the class the grading criteria
will be adjusted to include: One major comment of your own, and either 1-2 replies total or 1
reply to each student. The instructor will notify all students when the SCC is invoked/utilized.
Study Hours - The rule of thumb is that, in an average week, you should spend 3 hours outside of
class working, reading, studying, etc. for every hour we spend in class. That would be 9 hours per
week.
Online Student Expectations - Since this is an online course, you are encouraged to use various
methods to access the course and the internet, using laptops, etc. Use of Canvas – We will make
active use of this over the course. You should access the course at least once per day to check for
announcements, posts, due dates, discussions to participate in, etc.
Modules - the course is divided into modules. Each module may contain: 1-2 assignments, 1-2
discussions, textbook readings, discussion board questions, handouts or video clips to guide you
through some of the more complex material, and some on line readings on current economic
issues. The modules are self- contained - anything you are responsible for is in that module - and
once the module is completed we move onto the next module.
Special Accommodations
The University of Bridgeport is committed to providing services to qualified students with
disabilities so that they receive an equal educational opportunity. In compliance with Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act, the American with Disabilities Act and the Connecticut State Laws, we
provide reasonable accommodations to reduce the impact of disabilities on academic functioning
or upon other life activities in a University setting.
All accommodations are determined on an individual basis. If a student with a disability would
like to be considered for accommodations, he/she must initiate the request, prior to or at
the beginning of the academic semester and provide supporting documentation. For further
information call (203) 576-4454 or email counselingservices@bridgeport.edu.
Grading
Assignments, weekly, all equally weighted, =
50%|
Discussions, weekly, all equally weighted =
30%|
Final exam, last week of course, =
Total =
20%|
100%|
Exams and Assignments: - Exams and assignments will test your ability to solve problems,
understand graphs, and understand cause and effect. They are of the short answer variety only.
They will cover the assigned readings and any material covered in the course.
Make-ups: - There are no Make-ups for any exam or assignments.
Grading Scale:
94-100= A
90-93 = A87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-63 = D00-59 = F
(a) An “I” (incomplete) grade designates incomplete work in a course at the time of grading for
reasons beyond the control of the student and determined to be legitimate by the instructor.
These would include absence from a final examination or inability to complete terminal
assignments due to illness, employment conflicts, etc. In such cases where the “I” grade is
awarded the incomplete will revert to a failing grade if the unfinished work is not satisfactorily
completed by the end of the semester immediately following the one in which the incomplete was
granted, exclusive of the summer sessions. This time can be extended by the instructor for
legitimate reasons.
(b) A grade of “R” indicates incomplete work in thesis, research, or undergraduate or graduate
student project courses. The “R” grade must be removed within a period of time specified by the
instructor/mentor/project advisor or director. It must be within the maximum time allowable for
degree completion in the academic program where the degree is being sought.
“A” indicates distinction; for work of exceptional quality.
“B” indicates above-average achievement; quality expected of a graduate student.
“C” indicates minimal achievement; not up to standards of graduate work.
“D” indicates below average achievement; no graduate credit possible.
“F” failing; no graduate or undergraduate credit is possible.
There are absolutely no extra credit assignments in this course.
Important Note: Students taking this course as a prerequisite for the online MBA
program must earn an A or B in order to proceed in the program.
Course Map
1
Topic
Readings
Macro and Micro
Ch 1 & 2, Ch 1 Appendix
The nature and method of Economics. Graphing, Production
Possibility
2
Micro and Macro
Ch 3, First half of Ch 4
Determination of P and Q. Supply and Demand,
Equilibrium, Goods and markets, Price ceilings & Price
floors
3
Micro
Ch 6, Second half Ch 4
Elasticity, Determinants, Revenue
4
Micro
Chapter 11, First half Ch 12
Output - TP, MP, AP
Economies of Scale
Costs of Production - Total, Average, Marginal
Perfect Competition
5
Micro
Ch 13, Ch 15, Second half Ch 12
Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition, Oligopoly
6
Macro
Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21
GDP, National income accounts, Inflation
Price Index, Business Cycle, Unemployment
7
Macro
Ch 25, Ch 26
Money market, The Fed, Money creation, Monetary policy
8
Macro
Ch 27, Ch 29
Fiscal policy, Debt and deficit, International Trade
Final exam
Academic Honesty Standards
“It is the student's responsibility to familiarize him or herself with and adhere to the standards
set forth in the policies on cheating and plagiarism as defined in Chapters 2 and 5 of the Key to
UB http://www.bridgeport.edu/pages/2623.asp or the appropriate graduate program
handbook.”
Student Conduct and General Standards
Students at the University of Bridgeport are expected to respect the rights of others, exercise
responsible judgment and follow high standards of personal conduct. Students are expected to
involve themselves in activities that promote the welfare of the University and to behave with
courtesy and restraint toward fellow students and University staff. The University fosters a
multicultural, international environment and does not condone or tolerate discrimination on the
basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, creed,
political affiliation, or handicap. The University strives to create an atmosphere of mutual trust
between individuals, promoting self-discipline, and community standards. At the same time, the
University maintains concern about the behavior of its students both on and off campus. In the
maintenance of its academic, social and health standards, the University reserves the right to be
the sole determiner as to whether a student should be removed from residence life, receive fines
or sanctions, be suspended or expelled, granted a leave of absence or dismissed. A student
suspended, expelled from the University is responsible for the full payment of his/her financial
charges for the semester. Students are expected to conform to all governing regulations of the
University as outlined in the Key to UB (Student Handbook), the Catalog and all official
notifications of policy. A student will be subject to University disciplinary procedures if his/her on
or off-campus behavior results in violations of these regulations, civil and/or criminal law.
Disciplinary action, notification of charges, disciplinary procedures, appeals and a review of
actions that may lead to disciplinary procedures are identified and described in the Key to UB
(Student Handbook). It is the responsibility of the student to familiarize him/herself with all
University and Residence Hall codes, regulations and policies, all available on-line.
Syllabus Modifications
The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as the course progresses, if it is
necessary. Any modifications will be communicated to the students as quickly as possible.
Modifications will NOT include adding any additional papers, assignments, quizzes, exams, or
work to the course.
Date
Day
Details
Date
Sun,
Aug 31
Day
Details
Assignment 1a due by 11:59pm
Sun
Assignment 1b due by 11:59pm
Discussion 1
Other
due by 11:59pm
Assignment 2a
Assignment 2b
Assignment 3a
Assignment 3b
Assignment 4a
Assignment 4b
Assignment 5a
Assignment 5b
Assignment 6a
Assignment 6b
Assignment 7a
Assignment 7b
Assignment 8a
Assignment 8b
Discussion 1 Wrap-up
Discussion 2
Discussion 2 Wrap-up
Discussion 3
Discussion 3 Wrap-up
Discussion 4
Discussion 4 Wrap-up
Discussion 5
Discussion 5 Wrap-up
Discussion 6
Discussion 6 Wrap-up
Discussion 7
Discussion 7 Wrap-up
Discussion 8
Discussion 8 Wrap-up
Final Exam
Introduce Yourself
Technology Backup Plan
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