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SACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
SPRING 2016
ECON 1B: INTRODUCTION TO MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS
PROFESSOR: Kace Chalmers
OFFICE:
Tahoe Hall 3012
PHONE:
(916) 278-7080
E-MAIL:
chalmers@csus.edu
WEBSITE:
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/k-chalmers-spring16
OFFICE HOURS:
Tues 3-4:30pm, Weds 11am-12pm & by appt.
Course Description
An introductory microeconomic analysis of how individuals and firms cope with the
fact that they have unlimited wants but limited resources. We will analyze the workings of supply and demand
in the determination of price, resource allocation, and distribution. Markets are analyzed as they affect
economic efficiency and the distribution of income. GE AREA: D1A
Required Online Account
Required Textbook
All students are required to register for an account at
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/k-chalmers-spring-16. All
course materials, including the textbook, announcements, homework
assignments and extra credit will occur through this online account.
For more information, please read the instructions here:
http://connect.customer.mcgraw-hill.com/students-how-to-order/.
Microeconomics, 9e by David Colander. ISBN# 978-007-771-5533
for soft cover textbook with Connect Access.
If you have a strong preference for a physical copy of the textbook, you
may procure a used copy through various websites. However, even if
you choose to purchase a copy of the book, you must still register with
the Connect website to complete your homework assignments.
Grading
Homework
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
250 points
(or 25% of final grade)
250 points
(or 25% of final grade)
250 points
(or 25% of final grade)
250 points
(or 25% of final grade)
I do not “curve” individual assignments. However, I will be happy to provide feedback over the semester on
how to interpret your scores so that you know how you are progressing in the course.
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COURSE POLICIES:
I want to be clear about my expectations and policies so everyone knows the rules. This allows us to go home
happy after each class and, ultimately, at semester’s end. You should read the syllabus and make yourself aware
of all the requirements and deadlines.
Attendance
Attendance is up to your discretion; however, there is a positive relationship between exposure to economic
principles and your successful mastery of them. I do not take roll regularly, but I am able to ascertain who is
there on a regular basis (and who is not). I expect you to behave appropriately in class. This means you must
refrain from any and all electronic devices during class time (including cell phones and computers). I will ask
you to leave if you use your cell phone.
Homework Assignments
In order to complete the homework assignments for this course, you must access a website dedicated to students
and professors of economics called Connect. Please register as soon as possible. There are already multiple
assignments posted! There is a grace period (i.e., a free trial) regarding payment, so please register even if you
are not ready to pay or are unsure of your continue enrollment in this course. If you have questions or concerns
regarding Connect, please contact me as soon as possible.
The Connect homework assignments will each receive equal weight in calculating your homework grade. All
homework assignments are due by 11:59pm on the evening of the stated deadline. The Connect system
will not allow you to submit or change graded assignments after the stated deadline and therefore, neither will I.
You can find the deadlines for all homework assignments and extra credit quizzes on Connect as well as the
Assignment Calendar file on the website.
Extra Credit Assignments
There are ten extra credit assignments scheduled throughout the semester and listed on the assignment calendar
attached to this syllabus. You will be completing these assignments on Connect. Connect will consider these
“quizzes,” but I will not include them in my calculation of your homework average at the end of the semester
and instead will assign you 5 points for each assignment completed. Therefore you can potentially earn 50
points out of 1000 for the class in extra credit.
Exams
You may regard the exam dates listed in this syllabus as carved in stone. Put them in your calendar immediately
because there are no make-up exams and very few acceptable excuses for missing one. Acceptable excuses
include a death in the family, a University-sponsored event or excursion, or a serious illness documented by a
doctor.
You are responsible for bringing a Scantron form (882-E), a pencil, and a non-cell phone calculator to all exams.
Exams are closed-book and closed-note, and they will include a combination of multiple choice and short
answer questions.
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Electronic Devices
I do not allow any electronic devices in my classroom unless you can provide specific accommodation forms
from Services to Students with Disabilities. This prohibition includes cell phones and laptops. There are
several well-documented reasons for this including:
1) You are not as good at multi-tasking as you think you are.
http://faculty.winthrop.edu/hinera/crtw-spring_2011/themythofmultitasking_rosen.pdf
http://www.w.aabri.com/manuscripts/10498.pdf
2) Electronic devices are a distraction including for other students who can see your screen.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131512002254
3) You will remember the material better if you writing it longhand rather than typing it.
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august24/multitask-research-study-082409.html
http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/04/22/0956797614524581.abstract
4) This class uses many graphs that aren’t easily, and quickly, reproducible on a screen.
If you use an electronic device during class, I will ask you to leave. Period.
Notetaking
I expect you to take notes during lectures, and I am happy to share resources with you to assist you with this
expectation. For example, I may randomly distribute what would be my notes if I were a student taking this
course to show you what material from that day’s lecture I consider to be important. There are a variety of notetaking methods that may serve you well:
1) Some quick overviews of different note-taking strategies
http://collegeinfogeek.com/lecture-notetaking-systems/
http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/notetaking.html
http://katemats.com/guide-to-note-taking/
2) The Cornell Method
https://www.usu.edu/asc/idea_sheets/pdf/note_taking_cornell.pdf
https://shp.utmb.edu/asa/Forms/cornell%20note%20taking%20system.pdf
3) Mind-mapping
https://www.novamind.com/mindmapping-software/note-taking/
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-use-mind-maps-to-unleash-your-brains-creativity-1348869811
4) Doodle notes
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/07/15/making-learning-visible-doodling-helps-memoriesstick/
http://braindoodles.net/lessons/
http://www.core77.com/posts/19678/sketchnotes-101-the-basics-of-visual-note-taking-19678
Office Hours
If you are having problems, I expect you to stop by during office hours to seek help. I have set aside this time
specifically for students with nothing else to distract me. You may also email me for help, but please know that
I may not be able to answer your email soon enough to help you before a deadline. I am also happy to chat with
you about the economics major, life plans, or whatever is on your mind. Please stop by!
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EXAM SCHEDULE
Exam I
Exam II
Final Exam
Wednesday, February 24
Wednesday, April 6
Monday, May 16 (1:30pm Section)
Monday, May 16 (3:00pm Section)
(in class)
(in class)
12:45pm-2:45pm
3:00-5:00pm
ADDITIONAL REQUESTS

If you choose to attend class, please be on time. If arriving late, come in quietly, settle quickly, and at
least muster an apologetic expression for me. It is your responsibility to get any material that you miss.
I will not provide lecture notes under any circumstances, so I recommend that you find a study-buddy or
two in class. Any information or handouts distributed in class will also be posted on the Connect class
website, so check there regularly.

If you have a physical or learning disability that requires accommodation, please let me know as soon as
possible and contact Services to Students with Disabilities at (916) 278-6955 to get the proper
documentation well in advance of the first exam. Please note that legally, I cannot provide you
accommodation without this documentation.

Don’t cheat. Ever. Under any circumstances. My job is to teach you economics and then give you a
grade that accurately reflects your knowledge of the subject. If you cheat, I will follow the protocol
outlined in the University Handbook.

I encourage you to work together on assigned practice problems and even graded homework
assignments, although every student is responsible for submitting his/her own answers to each graded
assignment in order to receive credit.

When you feel lost, BE PROACTIVE! Please hold up your hand and ask me to repeat something or
give another example. I am happy to answer relevant questions during lecture and encourage you to use
my office hours and email to get your questions answered. Unfortunately, I have not yet mastered
reading minds and I don’t make house calls, so you will have to come to me (either electronically or in
person).

I am interested in your feedback and would prefer not to rely on the generic and basically useless
evaluation questions that I am only able to read after the semester is already over. I am happy to listen
to suggestions and criticisms in person or via email, but if you feel uncomfortable telling me what you
really think, I’ve set up an anonymous feedback form on my website at
www.csus.edu/indiv/c/chalmersk/Links%20Teaching.html. Yes, it’s really anonymous.