Fall 2010 Syllabus
EC101
Economics I
3 Credit Hour
Textbook
Economics. By McConnell & Brue 18th Edition.
McGraw-Hill Irwin
Division of Social and Behavioral Science
Instructor: Cathy Forshee
Economics I
Fall 2010
Course Number:
EC101
Time & Day:
MWF 9:00 am – 9:55 am
Location:
Room 257
Instructor:
Cathy Forshee
Office:
F47 Orange Pod (across the hall from Cook Theatre)
Phone:
243-1435 ext. 239
Email:
cforshee@cloud.edu
Required
Materials:
1-800-729-5101
Economics, McConnell & Brue. 187h Edition by McGraw-Hill,
ISBN #978-0-07-337569-4
Notebook or Folder
Ruler or Straight Edge
Calculator
COURSE DESCRIPTION: (Macroeconomics) Studies individual economic behavior and the economic
behavior of others making choices in particular markets. Examines what factors influence individual economic
choices and how the choices of various decision makers are coordinated by markets. Additional stresses public
policy and the international setting.
PREREQUISITE:
ASSET/ACT score.
Intermediate Algebra or High School Algebra with a C or better or appropriate
EXPECTED LEARNER OUTCOMES:
This course will introduce the student to the study of macroeconomics. The successful student will demonstrate
an understanding of topics such as supply and demand, cost-benefit analysis, opportunity costs, individual
economic decision-making, market structures and performance, and specific macroeconomic topics such as
Gross Domestic Product, unemployment, inflation, business cycles, and fiscal and monetary policy.
When this course is complete, the truly successful student will be able to “think like an economist,” for better or
worse.
HOW TO PASS ECONOMICS
This is a difficult course: There is an old rule of thumb concerning studying for college courses: on average,
students should study TWO hours for every ONE hour of class. This is an average, which means some courses
require more study time and some less. You may find that economics requires MORE.
The following suggestions should help you learn economics:
1. Passive reading of the textbook is not very helpful. Read with a pen in your hand and a notebook on which to
list, repeat, copy, calculate, etc. ALSO, pay close attention to the TABLES and GRAPHS. THEY ARE
IMPORTANT.
2. Do problems. Work the problems at the end of the chapters and study the information in each chapter.
3. Read the text and other assigned materials before taking a quiz or test.
4. Keep up. It is easy to get behind. To get a good grade you will have to devote enough time.
METHOD OF EVALUATION/GRADING:
Students will be expected to complete a variety of assignments, quizzes and exams. A student’s final grade will
be evaluated according the following grading scale:
A = 100 - 90
B = 89 - 80
C = 79 - 70
D = 69 - 60
F = 59 - 0
TEACHING METHODS:
1. Quizzes: A quiz will be given after each chapter to ensure students comprehend the assigned material.
Quizzes may include true/false, matching, completion, and/or multiple choice questions. The quizzes are 10
questions each worth 2 points. You will be allowed 20 minutes to complete each quiz. NO make-up quizzes
will be given, unless there are extenuating circumstances, as defined by the instructor.
2. Current Events: Each Friday you will bring something to discuss to class that is happening in the economy
that relates to the chapter that we are currently discussing that week. You will need to have a written summary
of the article, how it relates to what we have been discussing that week and your opinion of the article. Current
events are 10 points each.
3. Unit Exams: There are four 100 point exams during the semester. You will be allowed one hour to
complete each exam. All exams are to be “closed book”, but you will be allowed a note card. If you have to
miss an exam for sports, family circumstances or any other reasonable excuse you will need to make the exam
up in advance.
4. Reading Assignments
You will be expected to write current events for the chapters we have discussed that will be turned in when you
take your exam. These will be worth 20 points each. An example would be pick Chapter 1, 2 or 3 and write a
brief paper on a current event that is associated with economics in one of those chapters. You will need to do
this for every 3 chapters that you read and these must be done before the Unit Test is taken. You will need to
write 3 brief paragraphs:
1. Introductory paragraph on the current event you will be writing about.
2. Paragraph 2 will explain how this relates to the chapter you have chosen.
3. Paragraph 3 you will give your personal view and opinion on how this relates to economics and the
chapter.
5. Class Assignments
There will be Chapter Questions and In Class Assignments that you will be expected to do during the allotted
class period time.
6. Group Presentations
Each person will be assigned a group. Your will be required to do a presentation on the chapter that we are
discussing that week.
Presentations are required to be 3 -5 minutes. They will be 50 points each.
We will discuss this more in class before we do the first presentation.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
Assignments are due at the beginning of a class session. In the case of planned absence you must notify the
instructor in advance and turn in assignments BEFORE leaving.
Homework assignments essays will be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the due date. PRINT
both your first and last name and the due date on your homework. If you have a scheduled absence or are ill on
a homework, quiz or test due date, you will need to hand it in before you depart or in the case of illness before
next class period. Any student who misses and examination without prior approval will receive an automatic
deduction of 25% on the exam or quiz. Assignments that are late must be handed in before I pass back the
graded ones, which is usually the next class period
You may schedule time with the LSC or with me to make up your missed assignments.
COURSE POLICIES
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in
class.
Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:
 Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking
someone else’s file and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or
help on a quiz/exam.
 Giving another student your file(s) knowing that he/she intends to turn it in as his/her own creation,
giving another student your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
It is not an infraction of the policy to help another student understand how to do an assignment if he/she does
the work himself/herself with your assistance.
Cheating:
“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”
1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or
help during an exam.
2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books
to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are
taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been
corrected.
Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of
University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, Western Michigan University)
Plagiarism:
“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a
book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not
your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and
supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording,
appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a
paper as your own that you did not write.
PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS:
There will be absolutely no toleration of any infraction of academic integrity, cheating, or plagiarism. The
penalty for committing an infraction will be an automatic 0 and possible “F” in the course for all who are
involved.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance in class is the student’s responsibility. Students cannot miss class and effectively complete the
course requirements. In case you are late or absent from class, it is your responsibility to get the notes,
handouts, and turn in the required assignments.
CONDUCT:
Appropriate behavior is expected at all times. Classroom decorum is conducive to learning. You can help by
actively participating in class discussions and exercises. The following behaviors show disrespect to the
instructor and to your fellow students and are not acceptable:




holding conversations on unrelated
topics; talking privately with a
classmate(s)
chronic lateness
leaving and returning to the
classroom
sleeping
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doing homework or studying for
other classes
eating
chewing tobacco
In addition, please turn off all pagers, cell phones, MP3’s (or any electronic devices) prior to entering the
classroom.
You are in the class to learn. If you aren’t, others are, and if you unduly disturb that effort, you may be asked to
leave the class.
INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANCE:
If you are having problems with the course work or assignments, please let the instructor know as early as
possible. My office hours are intended as a time to work with students and prepare for classes. If you are
unable to come during my office hours, please ask for an appointment in advance. I encourage you to use Email as a reliable way to contact me about any issues.
TUTOR ASSISTANCE:
Tutors are available in the Learning Skills Center. Contact the Learning Skills Center for more information.
INCOMPLETE POLICY:
Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described
in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and
must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the
Student Handbook for a complete explanation.
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS:
Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic
complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.
General Education Courses
Economics I is a General Education class “A” course.
Students enrolled in this course will be expected to fulfill the General Education Economics Goal. The
successful student will be able to write a clear, well-organized paper using documentation when appropriate.
Students will be required to write an essay as the artifact to be submitted.
The paper will meet the following criteria:
Social Science: Economics I and II
Intended Outcomes: Students will demonstrate knowledge of cultural experiences and
expressions by exhibiting knowledge of the variability of human behavior.
These will be addressed when Social Science artifacts are evaluated by assessment team.
1. Artifact is not scoreable.
2. Students will identify different cultural responses to environmental demands.
3. Students will demonstrate a conceptual understanding of cultural factors that contribute to
varying responses to environmental demands.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate a variety of ways in which different
cultures respond to environmental demands.
Outcomes Standards for Social Science: 60% of the students will achieve outcome rubric 2 or 3 on each
outcome.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ARTIFACTS:
 Economic artifacts must be typed.
 Economic artifacts must not have students’ or instructors’ names. Otherwise, the artifacts should be in
MLA format.
 Economic artifacts should be complete essays using cultural, environmental, supply and demand factors.
PROGRAM GOALS:
Through this course, students will be expected to develop and demonstrate the following proficiencies:
Social Science:
Students will demonstrate knowledge of cultural experiences and expressions by exhibiting knowledge
of the variability of human behavior.
The following are the goals students should be able to achieve in CCCC Economic courses.
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Develop the ability to explain core economic terms, concepts, and theories.
Apply economic theories and concepts to contemporary social issues, as well as formulation and
analysis of policy.
Apply both oral and written communication skills within the boundaries.
ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM GOALS: (Full-time and regular part-time) Instructors measure one or two
department goals of all classes taught within the discipline/program within a calendar year of every odd year.
Instructors submit assessment results to Department Chairs by Feb. 1st. Department Chairs compile the
information into a discipline/program report collected by division deans Feb. 15th and forwarded to the
assessment coordinator to be reviewed by the Student Leaning Outcomes Assessment Team.
COURSE GOALS:
1. The student will become acquainted with the basic principles and problems of economics, market system and
circular flow, private and public sectors of the economy, and the U.S. and the global economy.
2. The student will understand financial and economic investment, measuring domestic output and national
income, economic growth, business cycles, unemployment, and inflation.
3. The student will become acquainted with macroeconomic relationships, aggregate expenditure model,
aggregate demand and supply, fiscal policy, deficits, and debt.
4. The student will become acquainted with money and banking, money creation, interest rates, monetary
policy and financial economics.
ASSESSMENT of COURSE GOALS: Fall 2010
Each semester student learning success will be assessed.
Social Science is evaluated on the following criteria:
Each instructor measures one or two course goals each semester. Instructors then submit a written report to the
Dean of their division. The Dean submits a compilation of their division to the Assessment Coordinator and the
Assessment Committee. The course assessment reports will be done on a calendar year basis. Instructors will
evaluate the Fall semester and the next Fall semester. Their report will be submitted no later than September 15
of the next calendar year. The Dean’s compilation will be due no later than October 15. Each course taught by
an instructor should be evaluated at least once over the course of two calendar years.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be
notified:
KNCK
1390 AM
Concordia
KCLY
100.9 FM
Clay Center
KREP
92.1 FM
Belleville
KHCD
89.5 FM
Hutchinson
KVSV
1190 AM
Beloit
KSAL
1150 AM
Salina
WIBW (TV) Chan. 13
Topeka
KWCH (TV) Chan. 12
Wichita
KOLN (TV) Chan. 10
Lincoln, NE
Notification will also be placed on the internet at www.cancellations.com. A text message will also be sent out
on the Emergency Text Messaging System for the students who have signed up for it.
Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to
hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
When alarms are sounded or crisis conditions arise, you will be instructed to move to a designated safe area or
to remain in the classroom until the crisis has passed. If you are informed to leave the room, take as many of
your personal belongings as time permits. Cell phones and other electronic devices are only to be used once
you arrive in the safe area outside the building. Students requiring special assistance will be the responsibility
of the instructor or staff person.
Systems of alert for tornado or bomb threat: PA system, phone, or staff interruption of class. In case of fire, the
alarm will sound.
If directed to leave the building, evacuate to the soccer field unless an alternate safe location has been
designated.
2010 Fall Schedule
Week 1
August 18-20
Introduction to Class
Current event for Friday
Quiz 1
Week 2
August 23-28
Chapter 1 - The Limits, Alternatives, and Choices
Quiz 2 - Chapter 1
Week 3
August 30Sept 3
Chapter 2 – The Market System and the Circular Flow
Quiz 3-Chapter 2
Week 4
Sept 8 - 10
Chapter 3 – Demand and Supply Demand, Supply, and Market
Equilibrium
September 6 – Labor Day – COLLEGE CLOSED
First Unit Exam – Chapters 1, 2 & 3
1st Reading Assignment Due
Week 5
September 13 - 17
Chapter 4 – The U.S Economy: Private and Public Sectors
Quiz 4-Chapter 4
Week 6
September 20 - 24
Chapter 5 – The U.S. Economy in the Global Economy
Second Unit Exam - Chapters 4 & 5
2nd Reading Assignment Due
Week 7
September 27 - 30
Chapter 23 – An Introduction to Macroeconomics
Quiz 5-Chapter 23
October 1 – In-Service – Day Classes will not meet
Week 8
October 4 - 8
Chapter 24 – Measuring Domestic Output and National Income
Quiz 6-Chapter 24
Week 9
October 11 - 15
Chapter 25 - Economic Growth
Quiz 7-Chapter 25
Mid-Term Grade Due October 15
October 18 - 22
Chapter 26 – Business Cycles, Unemployment, and Inflation
Third Unit Exam - Chapters 23-24-25-26
3rd Reading Assignment Due
Week 10
October 25-29
Chapter 27 – Basic Macroeconomic Relationships
Quiz 8-Chapter 27
Week 11
November 1 – 5
Chapter 29 – Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply
Quiz 9-Chapter 29
Week 12
November 8 - 12
Chapter 30 – Fiscal Policy, Deficits, and Debt
November 11 Veteran Day _ COLLEGE CLOSED
Fourth Unit Exam – Chapters 27-29-30
4th Reading Assignment Due
Week 13
November 15-19
Chapter 31 – Money and Banking
Quiz 10-Chapter 31
Week 14
November 22-23
Chapter 32 – Money Creation
Quiz 11 – Chapter 32
Week 15
Nov 29 – Dec 3
Chapter 33 - Interest Rates and Monetary Policy
Week 16
December 6 - 10
Chapter 34 - Financial Economics
Review for Final Exam
Week 17
December 13-17
FINAL EXAM - Chapters 31-32-33-34