Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Division: Agribusiness Management System
Course Number: ECN 1203
Course: Microeconomics – Section 1 – MWF – 1:00 – 1:50 PM – AG Hall 23
Credit Hours: 3
Semester: Fall 2008
Instructor: Jeremy Sievers
Office: Ag Hall, Room 18
Office Hours: MWF 9:00 – 10:00 AM or by appointment
Phone Numbers: 308-367-5250 (office)
Email: jsievers2@unl.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is an introduction to basic principles of microeconomics. Class time will consist of lecture,
quizzes, discussions and assignments.
REFERENCE TEXT:
Principles of Microeconomics; 5th Edition by John B. Taylor
Lecture Notes and Handouts
Access to Blackboard
BLACKBOARD PARTICIPATION AND USAGE:
This course will rely heavily on the use of Blackboard. It will be imperative to have a Blackboard account
and an email address associated with it to ensure continuous and effective communication between the
instructor and student. The instructor does not manage Blackboard, so if you have difficulties with your
Blackboard account, you will need to call the Blackboard Help Desk. The instructor will expect students to
check Blackboard for all assignments, tests, and quizzes as often as needed each week of the semester in
order to stay current.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:
1. Introduce and describe basic principles of microeconomics operating in our economy.
2. Determine optimum consumer satisfaction, optimum producer profit and equilibrium price at which
price at which product sells in a free market economy.
3. Define and identify common economic systems including free market and command economies.
4. Define and identify various types of business competition including free competition and
monopoly.
DEPARTMENT MISSION:
AMS supports the college mission by striving to develop students into competent citizens through general
education and promoting involvement, innovation, and individuality in the agribusiness industry.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to apply economic information to real world situations.
COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Introduction
II. The Central Idea
III. Observing and Explaining Economy
IV. The Supply and Demand Model
V. Elasticity and Its Uses
VI. The Demand Curve and the Behavior of Consumers
VII. The Supply Curve and the Behavior of Firms
VIII. Costs and the Changes at Firms over time
IX. Product Differentiation, Monopolistic Competition, and Oligopoly
X. Antitrust Policy and Regulation
COURSE POLICY:
The course policies follow guidelines in your NCTA handbook.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is required and necessary to receive full benefits (as well as a passing grade) from this course.
Absences associated with school activities and for medical reasons will not count against you. It is the
responsibility of the student to alert the instructor of a class period missed due to school activities
prior to when the absence will occur. It is also the responsibility of the student to see the instructor
for assignments given during the absence. Students will have one week from the time of the excused
absence to turn in missed assignments or make up quizzes or tests. Unexcused absences will not be able
to make up any late work. Assignments given and completed during the class period may not be made up
if missed.
Those students who have 3 unexcused absences during the course of the semester will be required to see
the Dean of NCTA prior to returning to class.
FIVE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
If a student has five unexcused absences for this class during the semester, the student will be
dropped from the class. You will receive notice on Blackboard after your third and fourth
unexcused absences. In order for an absences not to unexcused I must be notified prior to the
absence or with in two days after the absence from class.
CONDUCT:
Follow the NCTA handbook.
CELL PHONES:
The use of cell phones during class is prohibited. Please make sure to put your phones on silent or turn
them off when class begins.
CHANGE DISCLAIMER:
After the first exam, the students and instructor will discuss the pace. The instructor reserves the right to
change course schedule upon student and instructor agreement.
EVALUATION:
Evaluation will be based on quizzes, assignments, tests, Blackboard participation, and participation in class.
The grading scale for this class is as follows:
A+:
A:
A-:
B+:
B:
B-:
C+:
C:
C-:
D+:
D:
F:
100 – 100%
90.0 – 99.9
86.7 – 90.0
83.3 – 86.7
80.0 – 83.3
76.3 – 80.0
73.3 – 76.3
70.0 – 73.3
66.7 – 70.00
63.3 – 66.7
60.0 – 63.3
00.0 – 60.0
1000 Points
900 – 999
867 – 899
833 – 866
800 – 832
763– 799
733– 762
700 – 732
667 – 699
633 – 666
600 – 632
599 and below
There will be a total of 4 exams each worth 100 points including an optional final. The final will replace your
lowest test score if you take it. There will also be three article reviews to present during the semester each
one worth 50 points. There will be both additional assignments and quizzes that will total up to 450 points.
The total amounts of points possible for this class will be 1000 points.
POSTING GRADES:
Grades will be available throughout the semester on the student’s Blackboard account. The grade for each
assignment will be posted there along with the total possible number of points which will give students the
ability to track grades as the semester progresses.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty, in any form, will not be tolerated in this course. Likewise, you should not be expected
to tolerate academic dishonesty from fellow classmates. If you observe such an act with regard to this
course, please notify the instructor immediately. Any student suspected of any form of academic dishonesty
will be dealt with promptly and appropriately, which may include immediate dismissal from the course with a
failing grade and a second offense will result in dismissal from the institution.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
Section 504: Of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: Both require
access beyond architectural barriers to include accommodations providing equal access to all aspects of
recreational and academic opportunities. Please feel free to share any information you see appropriate with
me, in order to have the successful learning environment.
COURSE TRANSFERABILITY:
ECN1203 Microeconomics transfers to UNL as ECON 212 Microeconomics
ARTICLE ASSIGNMENTS
ECON 1203 MICROECONOMICS
For each of the following due dates you will need to locate an article relating to Microeconomics.
You will need to make a copy of the article, or submit the original article. You will also need to type
a short summary of the article answering the following questions. Answer them to the best of your
ability, I realize that you won’t have “all the answers”, but please at least attempt to do your best in
answering them. Also you will need to present your article in class on the due dates.
Each article review is worth 50 points total. 10 points are for you in class presentation of the article.
The other 40 points come from the article and the write up you do about the article. For full credit
the review must be typed in 12 point font, double spaced, and at least a page long.
I. Where: Did you find this article? You need to include the name and date of the
publication. Be sure the publication is less than a year old.
II. Who: Does it affect include who or what industry is affected by this article?
III. What: Is the affect of the discussion topic? Is it going to create more employment?
Raise the standard of living? What other affects will it have? This should be were
the majority of your summary is located. You could answer questions of when will
the effects be felt? How those who are affected going to feel them?
DUE DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
REVIEW 1: September 26
REVIEW 2: October 24
REVIEW 3: November 21
These reviews are due on or before the above dates. NO late papers will be
accepted.