ECO 361 Intermediate Microeconomics
Syllabus
(3 Credit Hours)

OFFICE HOURS

My office hours are as posted, or by appointment at our mutual convenience. I have many office hours available to my students because I believe that sometimes education requires that the professor and the student get together on a one-on-one basis. During my office hours we can discuss the lectures, textbook material, workbook problems, tests, career choices, or anything you wish. These hours are your time and I strongly suggest that you take advantage of them. The final decision is, of course, your own.

If you need help, you may also call me either at school or home. My numbers are on the Course Schedule. I have also included my E-mail address and my FAX number. You can ALWAYS reach me.

TESTING

Junior/Senior level courses:  Tests will be long essay, consisting of three essay questions  The student may choose any two essays.


Test material includes your textbook, class handouts, assigned library material, lecture notes, and class discussion. Unannounced quizzes will be at my discretion.

All upper-level classes will have three regular 70-point tests, plus a 70-point comprehensive final exam.  I will throw our your lowest test score, including the final exam.  Why?  Because I do not give make up tests.  If you miss a test for ANY REASON, I will drop that score.  If you MUST for any reason be absent during the semester, notify me in advance.

TESTING PROCEDURES

All tests will be administered in accordance with procedures in place for standardized testing such as the ACT. Since students will be in the classroom the entire test period, all outside activities such as visiting the restrooms must be completed before the test is administered. Once the tests have been handed to the students, they must turn in their completed tests before leaving the classroom.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

From the Policy Guide:

Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors.  Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another's work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent classroom activity. 

Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the University.  When a student's grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative.

Anyone caught cheating on a test in this course will be given an automatic zero for that test and reported to the Provost.

Violations of Academic Honesty

Violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

  1. Copying another person's work and claiming it as your own;
  2. Using the work of a group of students when the assignment requires individual work;
  3. Looking at or attempting to look at an examination before it is administered;
  4. Using materials during an examination that is not permitted (books, notes, etc.;
  5. Allowing another student to take your exam for you;
  6. Intentionally impeding the academic work of others;
  7. Using any electronic device to transmit portions of questions or answers on an examination to other students;
  8. Using any electronic device to improperly store information for an exam;
  9. Knowingly furnishing false information to the University or its representatives;
  10. Assisting other students in any of the acts listed above.

SEATING

I will make a seating chart after the drop/add period, and take role on a daily basis. Please select a seat at the beginning of the course and stay there. If someone is in "your" seat after the seating chart has been constructed, please ask the student to see me for a seat assignment. DO NOT CHANGE SEATS DURING THE SEMESTER WITHOUT TELLING ME.

GRADING

Grades will be assigned on a straight percent of total points basis. The grading scale is as follows:

Grade Percent Range 70 Point Test Range 70 Pt. Final Grade Range
A 100 - 90% 70 - 63 210 - 189
B 89 - 80% 62 - 56 188 - 168
C 79 - 70% 55 - 49 167 - 147
D 69 - 60% 48 - 42 146 - 126

By this procedure you will always know your exact grade in my course. I will not play God, nor will I arbitrarily reward or penalize anyone.

CLASS CUTS

Each student is personally responsible for any class period missed, including all class notes, handouts, assignments, announcements of upcoming tests, etc. If you miss a class for any reason you must get the notes and assignments from a classmate.

NOTICE: There are many benefits to the student in regularly attending my class. One such advantage is the development of logical thought processes through the study of economics. I will, on a daily basis, teach what is called "the science of common sense." I have developed the following plan to account for the additional benefits of attendance.

If, at the end of the semester, you are THREE POINTS (not percentage points) or less below the number of points necessary for the next highest letter grade for the course, then I will award you that grade UNLESS you have more than the equivalent of one week of class cuts. For a MWF class-3 cuts, TTH-2 cuts, Summer (2 month)-2 cuts, Night Class/Inter session/Summer (1 month)-1 cut (1 night=3 cuts). IF YOU COME TO CLASS LATE, after I have taken role, it is your responsibility to notify me of your presence immediately after that class. I will not remove marked absences the next day or week.

Policy Guide: "Regular class attendance is considered an essential part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress. Each instructor will determine and make known to the class the requirement for attendance. When an announced examination falls on the day a student is absent, instructors are not required to prepare or give a make-up test. Consideration will be given to students in the case of genuine illness, emergency, or when acting as a representative of MWSU. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the class instructor prior to the absence and if possible, meet the instructor upon the student's return to discuss the material missed."

CLASS PARTICIPATION

This class exists solely for your education. You should therefore use the class time to your best advantage. If you need something clarified, explained better, or repeated, please do not hesitate to ask. If you have a comment relevant to our discussion, please share it with the class.

IMPAIRED STUDENTS

MWSU Policy Guide: "Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements and accommodations."

FINAL GRADES

Final grades will not be posted (Privacy Act). If you have any questions concerning your final exam or how your grade was calculated, you have every right to a complete explanation. I do, however, request that you not contact me the week of finals, as I will be extremely busy grading scores of tests.

If you wish to know your final exam score and final grade for the course as soon as possible, then either e-mail or call me requesting your score and final grade. I will not leave grades on your answering machine unless specifically instructed to do so.