ECON2001.01

Principles of Microeconomics

Summer 2021

Course Description: This is an introductory microeconomics course which introduces students to the economic decision-making of individuals and firms. Topics include scarcity, opportunity cost, supply and demand, consumer choice, elasticity, market structure, profit maximization, resource markets and international trade.

Course Page: Please refer to Carmen to obtain information about syllabus, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, practice questions, exams and grades.

Textbook: Hubbard and O’Brien, Microeconomics, 8th edition, Pearson

Note: We will also be using Pearson’s MYLAB in this course. I have uploaded the file on how to register a MYLAB account and get access to this course in the Welcome to the course Module on Carmen. When you successfully register an account, you can get access to the eBook and assignments.

If you run into technical difficulties with MYLAB, please contact Pearson 24/7 Technical Support.

Lectures: I will post recorded videos for each lecture based on our class schedule. The links for each week’s recorded lectures will be added to each week’s module on Carmen. You are free to watch the videos anytime you prefer.

Office Hours: I will also hold two one-hour online office hours every week. The link for online office hours is: https://osu.zoom.us/j/93397116241?pwd=U3NJSERNU3FMUk1MUTJVbGdyTWZpZz09 Feel free to email me if you have any question or want to schedule another zoom meeting.

Economics Learning Center: Economics learning center provides free peer tutoring in economics. For detailed information, refer to https://economics.osu.edu/economics-learning-center.

Grading Policy: The points of the course will be allocated as follows (110% in total):

■ Video Assignments: 5% (0.5%*10)

■ Quizzes: 10% (1%*10)

■ Homework: 10% (1%*10)

■ Midterm 1: 27%

■ Midterm 2: 27%

■ Final: 27%

■ Extra Credits:

o 80% class response rate to SEI: 2%

o Course-related assignment: 2%

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A 93% and above

A- 90%-92.99%

B+ 87%-89.99%

B 83%-86.99%

B- 80%-82.99%

C+ 77%-79.99%

C 73%-76.99%

C- 70%-72.99%

D+ 67%-69.99%

D 60%-66.99%

E 59.99% and below

Exams

• Exams are not cumulative. I have uploaded practice questions for each chapter and two sample exams for each exam. Those are good practice for you to prepare for each exam.

• Each exam has 27 multiple choice questions that should be finished within 60 minutes. Each exam is taking place at the regular class time so you should attend exams during regular class time to guarantee enough time for your exam. You are allowed to refer to class materials during exams. Exams will not be proctored so you cannot go back to previous submitted questions.

• Exams can only be made up with prior approval and under the most extreme circumstances. In the absence of prior approval, a valid excuse and supporting evidence must be provided at the earliest possible opportunity. Note that no exam will be dropped. 

Weekly Assignments

• There are three assignments each week—video assignment, homework and quiz. You will access Pearson’s MYLAB through your Carmen class site. The video assignments, homework assignments and quiz assignments every week will be done on line. Deadlines for assignments will only be extended under circumstances where the MYLAB site is experiencing technical problems. It is recommended that students not wait until the last minute to complete these assignments to avoid potential problems. If you do experience technical difficulty, contact technical support and notify me immediately. No extensions will be made for notifications made after the deadline for the assignment.

• Video assignments will be credited when you open the video. However, I recommend you watching the 3 to 4 minutes video for each week. Homework will be graded based on your finishing on time. Quizzes are credited based on your correctness. Quizzes can be attempted only once and in 20 minutes limitation.

• There are 11 assignments on each assignment category (video assignment, homework, quiz). One lowest scores in each category will not be included in your grade. If you have not done an assignment for any reason, that assignment will be counted as your dropped assignment.

• There is some problem transferring grades from MYLAB to Carmen. The grade automatically shown in your gradebook is not your actual grade for the assignment. I will modify your grades after the deadline. Please don’t worry when you see a weird grade.

Extra Credits

• There are 4% extra credits you can get. 2% will be added at the end of the semester when the whole class response rate for SEI is greater than 80%. Another 2% will be a end-of-semester assignment which will be assigned in the later semester.

GEC Statement: Econ 2001 is part of the GEC curriculum. Specifically, it satisfies the social science: human, natural, and economic resources category. Social science courses develop students’ understanding of the systematic study of human behavior and cognition; the structure of human societies, cultures, and institutions; and the processes by which individuals, groups and societies interact, communicate, and use human, natural, and economic resources. 

Expected learning outcomes for Human, Natural, and Economic Resources:

        1. Students understand the theories and methods of social scientific inquiry as they apply to the study of the use and distribution of human, natural, and economic resources and decisions and policies concerning such resources.

        2. Students understand the political, economic, and social trade-offs reflected in individual decisions and societal policymaking and enforcement and their similarities and differences across contexts.

        3. Students comprehend and assess the physical, social, economic, and political sustainability of individual and societal decisions with respect to resource use.

Student Conduct Policy

It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term “academic misconduct” includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed, illustrated by, but not limited cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct http://studentlife.osu.edu/csc/. Examples of academic misconduct include:

1) Cheating, including, but not limited to:

a) Using open textbooks or notes or other devices during an examination.

b) Copying from another person’s paper during an examination.

c) Collaborating with another person on an assignment in a manner not authorized by the instructor.

d) Obtaining, distributing, or using the contents of an undistributed test.

e) Substituting for another student or permitting any person to substitute for oneself in an examination.

2) Plagiarism, including but not limited to:

a) Submitting an assignment purporting to be the student’s original work which has been wholly or partly created by another person.

b) Presenting as one’s own ideas, organization, or wording of another person without acknowledgement of sources.

c) Knowingly permitting one’s own work to be submitted by a student as if it were the student’s own original work.

Special Note

Violating university or course rules as contained in the course syllabus or other information provided to the student in regard to student classroom conduct may result in your being removed from the class rolls.

Students with disabilities (including mental health, chronic or temporary conditions) that have been certified by the Office of Student Life Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office of Student Life Disability Services is located on 098 Baker Hall, 113 W. 12th Avenue; telephone 614-292-3307, [email protected], slds.osu.edu.