ECON 201- 900 Instructor Information:

Winter Term 2014

Pia Di Girolamo Department of Economics and International Business LeBow College of Business Drexel University Email: Please use the BbLearn course email facility so it flags you as an ECON 201 student Course Description: The main objective of this course is to provide the students with a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts in Microeconomics. We will focus on economic decision making at the level of the individual and the firm. We will explore the structure of markets under different competitive conditions and use some basic tools of microeconomic analysis to understand the impact of selected government policies. Required Texts & Materials: Aplia.com is required for this course. Aplia is a product that contains online homework and a digital version of the textbook, Principles of Microeconomics by N. Gregory Mankiw, Sixth edition (South-Western Cengage Learning). You may upgrade to a print version of the textbook through Aplia at a substantial discount. It is your responsibility to check Aplia for homework deadlines. Aplia registration instructions appear on the last page of the syllabus along with a twelve character course key that you will need to enter when completing your Aplia registration. Aplia is very user friendly, the first assignment Introduction to Using Aplia Assignments that is due by January 26 will clarify most of your issues (it is an easy assignment and it is worth several points!). In the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulty with the Aplia website, please refer to the support link in the upper-right corner of any Aplia page. You can also send an e-mail to support@aplia.com. Website This class is being taught online, on the BbLearn platform, accessible through https://learn.dcollege.net/. All relevant course materials including audio lectures and notes can be accessed through the BbLearn ECON 201-900 course homepage. Technical Assistance If at any time you need technical assistance, please email intech@lebow.drexel.edu. They will do their best to get back to respond within 24 hours.

Discussions The discussion board is where you will have your most direct interaction with the other students. The threaded discussions are used by students in the course to (1) communicate with each other and (2) participate in required meaningful conversations based on the coursework. The discussion topics posted as part of each weekly assignment are just to get the weekly discussion started. Never hesitate to branch out into related topics or a discussion of current events relevant to the course. I will post some discussion points and/or questions and I will expect you to comment on those points, answer questions and participate commenting on the other students postings. It goes without saying that I will not tolerate offensive, disrespectful or rude comments by any participant in the threaded discussions. The weekly discussion boards will remain open for posting from Monday through Sunday (boards will be locked on Sunday at 11:00 pm eastern time) of each week (i.e., after Sunday of Week 2, you will no longer be able to post comments to the Week 2 discussion boards). I will have plenty of opportunity to lecture and teach you using audio recordings; therefore I would like to use the threaded discussions mainly to hear your voice. I will review your postings occasionally but I will try to limit my participation to a light moderating role. I could provide some inputs for further discussion if necessary and I could provide some concluding statements, also if necessary. In order to give you more time to prepare for the midterms and the final while also keeping up with the deadlines for the class, there will be no threaded discussions on weeks 3, 6 and 10.

E-mails If you want to send a message to the professor or to another student, use the BbLearn mail facility. This is also where you will receive email from the professor. When you want to communicate with everyone in the class, use the discussion boards; when you want to communicate with the professor or another student use BbLearns mail feature. This is a handy feature if you are traveling all you need is a computer. As long as you have the URL and your password, you can get and send your course-related email. During the quarter, use the BbLearn course email facility for all email communications with the professor. This will assure that I know it is from a student in my ECON 201-900 class. I will reply to e-mails on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please avoid using my regular email address (pd358@drexel.edu), however if you must use it as a result of an emergency, please put the course number (ECON 201-900) in the subject line. Propriety of Textual Communications Grammar and Spelling are important and "flaming" is not appropriate for this environment. Many people tend to be lax when posting responses to threaded discussions or sending email 2

messages. They may not capitalize words, include punctuation, or pay attention to spelling or typing errors. If this describes your approach, it is recommended that you compose threaded discussion responses or email messages in a word processing program where you can check spelling, edit, and revise your writing. You can then cut and paste the work into the threaded discussion or email message. Personal Involvment and Time While online courses provide great flexibility to students, they should not be considered to be easier than traditionally delivered courses. Oftentimes online course work can be more time consuming than that completed in a face to face environment. Remember that while this medium gives students flexibility, taking a course online is just more convenient, not easier. Although most of the assignments for each week are due at the end of the next week, it is important that you get an early start on your assignments each week. Before you begin the course 1. Review the Course Overview including the syllabus. 2. Make sure you are familiar with the layout of BbLearn and register for Aplia using the instructions on the last page of the syllabus. After you begin the course 1. Check the syllabus and Aplia for assignment due dates 2. Skim each assigned readings or lecture to get a big picture of the material to be covered. 3. Carefully review the weekly material. Listen to the accompanying audio for each of the assigned modules and review the accompanying lecture notes and other content in the Workbook. 4. Participate in the Threaded Discussions as assigned by the instructor each week. 5. Work on the assignments in Aplia in a timely fashion. Please note that the assignments are visible in Aplia the week that they are due, however they are visible with a significant advance to the due date. You should not relinquish to the last moment to submit the assignments in Aplia. Please note that the system will not record any score if you try to submit the assignment after the due date. Grades Grades are based on two midterm exams, one final exam, online problem sets and threaded discussions. Grades in the course will be based on the following components: (1) 15% based on Midterm 1, (2) 25% based on Midterm 2, (3) 35% based on the Final, (4) 25% based on Online Assignments through Aplia. Participation to the threaded discussion will entitle to up to 6% in extra credit points towards the final grade. In order to obtain the full extra credit points you are expected to actively and consistently provide a significant contribution to each discussion board.

No make-ups and no late submissions will be accepted. An incomplete will not be granted unless a student has a serious problem such as a medical condition and is passing the class at the time the incomplete is requested. Exams through BbLearn Midterm 1, Midterm 2 and the Final will consist of multiple choice questions and will cover material from posted materials, audio lectures and the textbook. The midterms and the final will be administered through BbLearn. Please note that the midterms and the final will be timed and that all questions in the midterms and the final will allow only one attempt. Online Assignments through Aplia This course makes use of online problem sets provided through Aplia.com. (See the end of the syllabus for registration details.) Problem sets designated as graded count toward your homework grade. Problem sets designated as bonus provide extra credit. Please note that the assignments are visible in Aplia under the week that they are due and not the week that they are assigned (please refer to this syllabus for a complete list of assignments and due dates by week). Please also note that plenty of time is given to work on the assignments therefore under no circumstances I will give any extensions beyond the due date and time. The final problem set score will consist of points a student answered correctly divided by the total number of possible maximum points. It is the students responsibility to check the Aplia.com website for problem set due dates. Please note that some questions in the graded assignments and some questions in the bonus assignment only allow one attempt. Grade Scale 1) Final grades for the course will be determined as follows: Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D F Percent Score 97-100% 93-96.9 90-92.9 87-89.9 83-86.9 80-82.9 77-79.9 73-76.9 70-72.9 66-69.9 60-65.9 Less than 59.9

The above cutoffs may be lowered but they will not be raised.

Contacts List: Technical Support Aplia Support LeBow Help Desk Aplia Personnel intech@lebow.drexel.edu support@aplia.com

When contacting the Instructor or Technical support, please indicate your first and last names, your course name and section number under the email "subject." Failing to do so may cause delay of response. Course Schedule (ET stands for Eastern Time) Week 1- January 6 to January 12 Readings: Ten Principles of Economics (Chapter 1 fyi only, no assignment and no questions in the test) Thinking Like and Economist (Chapter 2) Interdependence and the Gains from Trade (Chapter 3) Graded Assignments: Introduction to Using Aplia Assignments - Due by January 26 at 11:00pm ET Thinking Like an Economist Chapter 2 - Due by January 26 at 11:00pm ET Interdependence and the Gains from Trade Chapter 3 - Due by January 26 at 11:00pm ET Bonus Assignment (for Extra Credit): Math and Graphing Assessment with Tutorials Chapter 2 - Due by March 16 at 11:00pm ET Week 2- January 13 to January 19 Readings: The Market Forces of Supply and Demand (Chapter 4) Graded Assignment: The Market Forces of Supply and Demand - Chapter 4- Due by January 26 at 11:00pm ET

Week 3- January 20 to January 26 Readings: Elasticity and Its Application (Chapter 5) Graded Assignment: Elasticity and its Applications - Chapter 5 - Due by February 2 at 11:00pm ET

MIDTERM 1 Midterm 1 will consist of 22 multiple choice questions and will cover Chapters 2, 3 and 4. Midterm 1 will be open in BBLearn (week 3 folder) from Friday January 24 at 1:00pm ET 5

to Tuesday January 28 at 1:00pm ET. Please note that it will be timed and that you will have only one attempt for each question. Therefore if you give the correct answer you will obtain the point, however if you give the wrong answer you will get no point for it. In order to give you sufficient time to work on the midterm there will be no threaded discussion on week 3. Week 4- January 27 to February 2 Readings: Supply, Demand and Government Policies (Chapter 6) Consumers, Producers, and the Efficiency of Markets (Chapter 7) Graded Assignment: Supply, Demand and Government Policies- Chapter 6- Due by February 9 at 11:00pm ET Consumers, Producers, and the Efficiency of Markets- Chapter 7 - Due by February 9 at 11:00pm ET

Week 5- February 3 to February 9 Readings: Application: the Cost of Taxation (Chapter 8) Externalities (Chapter 10) Graded Assignment: Application: the Cost of Taxation- Chapter 8- Due by February 16 at 11:00pm ET Externalities- Chapter 10 - Due by February 16 at 11:00pm ET

Week 6- February 10 to February 16 Readings: The Costs of Production (Chapter 13) Graded Assignment: The Costs of Production- Chapter 13 - Due by February 23 at 11:00pm ET MIDTERM 2 Midterm 2 will consist of 37 multiple choice questions. Midterm 2 will cover Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Midterm 2 will be open from Friday February 14 at 1:00pm ET to Tuesday February 18 at 1:00pm ET. Please note that it will be timed and that you will have only one attempt for each question. Therefore if you give the correct answer you will obtain the point, however if you give the wrong answer you will get no point for it. In order give you sufficient time to work on the midterm there will be no threaded discussion on week 6.

Week 7- February 17 to February 23 Readings: Firms in Competitive Markets (Chapter 14) Graded Assignment: Firms in Competitive Markets- Chapter 14 - Due by March 2 at 11:00pm ET.

Week 8- February 24 to March 2 Readings: Monopoly (Chapter 15) Graded Assignment: Monopoly - Chapter 15 - Due by March 9 at 11:00pm ET

Week 9- March 3 to March 9 Readings: Monopolistic Competition (Chapter 16) Graded Assignment: Monopolistic Competition - Chapter 16 - Due by March 16 at 11:00pm ET

Week 10- March 10 to March 16 Readings: Oligopoly (Chapter 17) Practice Assignment (for your practice but not for credit): Oligopoly- Chapter 17 - Due by Sunday March 16 at 11:00pm ET

Week 11- FINAL The FINAL will consist of 52 multiple choice questions. The FINAL will cover Chapters 13 to 17 and will be open from Friday March 14 at 1:00pm ET to Wednesday March 19 at 1:00pm ET. Please note that you will have only one attempt for each question. Therefore if you give the correct answer you will obtain the point, however if you give the wrong answer you will get no point for it. In order give you sufficient time to prepare for the final there will be no threaded discussion on week 10. EMAIL CLASS LIABILITY Neither Drexel University nor the instructor can be held responsible for the content of any personal messages, which are sent from one student directly to another student using the online email delivery system. It is expected that all students will adhere to accepted codes of ethical, 7

personal, and civil conduct when conversing online using email or engaging in any online chat sessions. Failure to abide by such codes of conduct and etiquette may result in expulsion from the course with a failing grade. Consult the official university code of student conduct for further information. ACADEMIC HONESTY Cheating and plagiarism are serious misconduct issues that result in negative consequences for all involved in the learning environment. Any serious misconduct of this nature will be addressed directly and expeditiously by LeBow College of Business and Drexel University. In order to protect and maintain a superior learning environment at LeBow College of Business, all students must review and adhere to Drexel Universitys Academic Honesty Policy. For details, see: http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/studenthandbook/Handbook.html (see Code of Conduct under Judicial Affairs) and http://drexel.edu/studentaffairs/community_standards/studentHandbook/.

Forms of academic dishonesty include plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, and academic misconduct. Students are responsible for the authenticity of material submitted. The Hagerty Library offers a brief online tutorial for recognizing and avoiding plagiarism at: http://www.library.drexel.edu/resources/tutorials/plagiarism/plagiarism.html. If there is evidence that a violation of Drexel Universitys Academic Honesty Policy has occurred, the faculty member indicates what sanction he/she believes is appropriate to the Department Head, who in turn will determine whether such a sanction is commensurate with the action and evidence, and if necessary makes adjustments to the sanction. For the first infraction, the sanction may include: An "F" for the assignment or exam Reduction of course grade Failure for the entire course, with the inability to withdraw, or other action deemed appropriate by the faculty member. Examples include, but are not limited to, requiring the student to re-take the exam, re-complete an assignment, or complete an assigned exercise.

COURSE PROCEDURES Dropping a Course: The end of the 2nd week (Friday) is the last day for dropping a course. You may withdraw from a course until the end of week 6 (Friday), however you will still be responsible for the tuition due for that course after the 2nd week has passed. Disability: Students with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at Drexel University need to present a current accommodation verification letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations can be made. AVL's are issued by the Office of Disability Services (ODS). For additional information, go to the ODS website at http://drexel.edu/disability/ and http://www.drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/Overview/. Following is the ODS contact information: 8

Physical Address Mailing Address Phone TTY Fax E-mail

3201 Arch Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA 19104 3141 Chestnut Street, 81-210, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-895-1401 215-895-2299 215-895-1402 disability@drexel.edu

How to access your Aplia course

ECON 201-900 (Micro Mankiw 6e) Winter 2014
Instructor: Pia Di Girolamo Start Date: 01/06/2014 Course Key: FLYB-UWA5-G3CZ

Registration
Aplia is part of CengageBrain, which allows you to sign in to a single site to access your Cengage materials and courses. 1. Connect to http://login.cengagebrain.com/ 2. If you already have an account, sign in. From your Dashboard, enter your course key (FLYB-UWA5-G3CZ) in the box provided, and click the Register button. If you don't have an account, click the Create a New Account button, and enter your course key when prompted: FLYB-UWA5-G3CZ. Continue to follow the onscreen instructions.

Payment
Online: Your Instructor has established a specific purchase site to provide you with discounted access to Aplia for your course. Please visit the link below to make your payment:

http://www.cengagebrain.com/micro/1-1PL6KSZ