ECON 102 PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS
Syllabus: Fall 2015
Instructor: Van Ngo
Hours: TTH 9:30 – 10:45 am (Section 3)
Email: vanjngo@gmail.com
Office hours (NH 320): MW: 11:30 – 12:30, T: 11:00- 12:30
Appointment needed for these hours below: TTHF: 8:00 – 9:00am
I. Learning outcomes:
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Use supply and demand diagrams to analyze the impact of overall changes in
supply and demand on price and quantity.
Solve a consumer's utility maximization; analyze the impact of changes in price
and income on a consumer's decision.
Understand the labor supply decision, and a better understanding of income
inequality and poverty.
Solve a firm's cost minimization problem.
Analyze the behavior of firms in a perfectly competitive market, monopoly, and
oligopoly.
Understand consumer behavior under uncertainty.
Use economic tools to analyze economic policies such as health policies.
II. Readings
Suggested Textbook: Principles of Microeconomics, Lee Coppock and Dirk Mateer.
III. Grading
Your grade in this course will depend on the following distribution:
Participation: 100 points
Homework: 150 points
Quizzes: 200 points
Exams 500 points
IV. Homework
There will be homework assigned each week on Monday and due at 9pm on Sunday.
There will be 14 assignments. I will drop the lowest score. I will be using the online
homework program that comes with the book from Norton InQuizitive. It is very
important that you get the online access code with the book. I will not accept late
homework.
V. Quizzes
There will be fourth quizzes through out the semester. I do not give make up
quizzes.
VI. Exams
There will be three exams, two midterms and one final. The final is optional, if you
did well on the first two exams and decide not to take the final, your score will be
calculated by the two midterms. If you take all three exams, I will drop the lowest
score. I will not give make up exams.
VII. Group Project
This project is worth 50 points. Each group will need to turn in a topic proposal (5
points), written paper (15 points), and the presentation (25 points). Please note that
one has to be in class when other groups present or 20 points will be taken off from
the participation grade. More detail will be given in class.
VIII. Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. For each answer in class, students will get 2 points. I will
divide the class into groups, and each week there will be a group assignment. The
answer of the assignment should reflect the knowledge of the previous chapters.
This will count as part of the participation points, for each group work, students will
get 4 points. Regular attendance is also needed to get a good grade in the class.
IX. Blackboard
I will regularly post homework assignments, practice exams, and class
announcements to the site so you should check it frequently.
If you have any questions, please use email to contact me; I usually check my email
every hour until 8pm.
X. Academic Integrity
I consider academic dishonesty to be a serious offense, and follow a zero tolerance
policy in this regard. Cheating is not worth it!
Please refer to the school policy on academic dishonesty:
http://studentaffairs.sdsu.edu/SRR/academics1.html
Please arrive to class promptly and turn off your cell phones. If you must leave early,
please tell me beforehand.
XI. Accommodating Disabilities
If you have or acquire any sort of disability that may require accommodation, feel
free to discuss with me at your convenience. Contact Student Disability Services for
more information.
http://go.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/sds/
Course Outline *** Subject to Change***
Date
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
FINAL
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Topic
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 (ctn)
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 (review)
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 (ctn)
Review
Chapter 16
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 (ctn)
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 (ctn)
Chapter 9
Chapter 9 (ctn)
Review
Chapter 10
-
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12 (ctn)
Chapter 14
Chapter 14 (ctn)
Chapter 15
Chapter 15 (ctn)
Presentations
Note
Quiz #1(Chap:……..……..)
(09/10/2015)
Test # 1 (Chap:…………....)
(09/15 – 09/17)
Quiz # 2 (Chap:………..…..)
(10/13/2015)
Project Proposal due!!!
(10/22/2015)
Test # 2(Chap:…………..)
(10/27 – 10/29)
Sign up sheet for presentation
(11/02/2015)
Quiz # 3(Chap:…………..)
(11/17/2015)
Quiz # 4 (Chap: ……………..)
(12/03/2015)
Presentations
12/14/2015 from 8:00 – 10:00 am