ECON 2010
Principles of Economics I
3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course is a study of basic economic concepts and macroeconomics.   Topics to be covered will include basic economic theory, economic systems, national income accounting, unemployment and inflation, money and banking, fiscal and monetary policy.

Course Objectives:

A.  General Teaching objectives:

1.  To provide students with an understanding of fundamental economic concepts.

2.  To provide students with a basic understanding of macroeconomic theory.

3.  To enhance the students' comprehension of the role economic principles play in everyday consumer and business activities.

4.  To expand the students' understanding of the business environment and expand their versatility in the work force.

5.  To provide the economics foundation required to facilitate the students' continued studies in economics and business-related disciplines.

6.  To expand the students' basic academic competencies by employing varied learning activities through emphasizing thinking, writing, computing, and communicating.

7.  To expand students' critical thinking skills by focusing on the concepts of abstract reasoning and logic.

B.  Specific Teaching objectives:  Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 

1.  Discuss the significance of economics as an academic discipline and in everyday life.

2.  Discuss the methodology of economic analysis.

3.  Describe the pitfalls to valid economic reasoning.

4.  Explain the economic perspectives of "choice," "rational behavior," and "benefit-cost comparisons."

5.  Analyze two-dimensional graphs.

6. Determine the general and exact relationship existing between two sets of economic data represented in a two-dimensional graph.

7.  Discuss the "economizing problem."

8.  Explain the four types of economic resources (factors of production0>

9.  Explain opportunity costs and how they are measured.

10.  Explain the Law of Increasing Opportunity Costs.

11.  Explain allocative efficiency

12. Discuss the concept of production-possibilities.

13.  Discuss the four major types of economic systems.

14.  Discuss the concept of economic "circular flow."

15.  Explain the concepts of supply and demand, and how supply and demand interact to determine equilibrium price and output.

16.  Discuss the economic questions of "what", "how'", and "for whom" and how a capitalist system addresses these issues.

17.  Discuss the government's role in a mixed economy.

18.  Discuss the economic functions of government.

19.  Discuss the two types of government expenditures.

20.  Describe the concept of government taxation and spending.

21.  Explain specialization and comparative advantage.

22.  Describe the foreign exchange market.

23.  Explain government and trade.

24.  Discuss the basis of trade agreements.

25.  Explain economic "circular flow" and the interaction of households, businesses, government, and international trade.

26.  Explain national income accounting.

27.  Define the national income accounts.

28.  Explain the business cycle

29.  Describe the major types and causes of unemployment.

30.  Explain how to measure unemployment.

31.  Explain the economic and non-economic costs of unemployment.

32.  Describe the major types and causes of inflation.

33.  Explain how to measure inflation.

34.  Discuss and compare Classical Economic Theory with Keynesian Economic Theory.

35.  Discuss the aggregate expenditures theory and the functions of consumption, savings, investment, and net exports.

36.  Discuss the determination of equilibrium national output.

37.  Explain the leakages/injections approach to determining national income and output.

38.  Explain the aggregate expenditures function and the multiplier effect.

39.  Explain aggregate demand and aggregate supply.

40.  Discuss aggregate demand/supply in relationship to the aggregate expenditures function and the determination of equilibrium national output.

41.  Discuss the Employment Act of 1946.

42.  Discuss fiscal policy.

43.  Discuss the major problems associated with fiscal policy.

44.  Define "money". 

45.  Define the types and functions of money.

46.  Explain the supply and demand for money.

47.  Describe the money market.

48.  Discuss the U.S. financial system.

50.  Explain how banks "create money/"

51.  Discuss monetary policy.

52.  Describe the methods and effectiveness of monetary policy.

 
Prerequisites and Corequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Specific Course Requirements:
Students should be familiar with Microsoft Word and submitting documents electronically and using the internet.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:
 Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course: http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
There are no required supplementary materials for this couse.
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Exams:

Exam 1:  Chapter 1, 2, and 3

Exam 2:  Chapter 4, 5, and 6

Exam 3:  Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11

Exam 4:  Chapter 12, 13, 14, and 15

Each exam will be equally weighted and mutually exclusive in content: i.e. no comprehensive exams.  Each exam will count 100 points.  Exams will be a combination of Multiple Choice, Matching, short answer, and essay.

Final Grade Calculation:

Final grades will be calculated by adding all points you could have earned and dividing by the total number of points possible.  Multiply the result by 100.

Grading Scale:

90-100

A

80-89

B

70-79

C

60-69

D

Below 60

F

Assignments and Participation

Class Participation:

Class attendance and timeliness is expected.  Any necessary absences and/or tardiness to class must be cleared through the instructor to be excused.  Any un-excused absences or tardiness to class will be considered when determining final grades, i.e. students who have not missed or been tardy to class, or who may have missed or been tardy but had the tardy or absence excused, may be awarded two to threee extra points for attendance and participation in class.
 
Students are responsible for all material covered or assigned during any absence from class- this includes the scheduling and/or completion of exams.
Punctuality:
Students must submit assignments on or before the designated due dates listed on the calendar. Ten(10) points will be deducted for assignments submitted after the due date. Assignments will not be accepted more than one week after the due date.
Course Ground Rules
1. Have reliable access to computing resources and the minimum hardware, software, and browser.
2. Understand basic personal computer operations: operating systems, file management, word processing, internet, email.
3. Be familiar and comfortable with the internet. Know how to browse, search, download, unzip files and solve problems with the personal computer and the internet.
4. Carefully read the information and follow directions.
5. Use the assigned email address in WebCT.
6. Use the Course Tools from the tutorials and help screen provided in WebCT.
7. Communicate regularly with the instructor.
8. Schedule adequate time for the class so you make weekly progress.
9. Do not procrastinate. If you get a week behind, you may not be able to catch up.
10.Observe course netiquette at all times.  
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker; then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus.  If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes by individual email communication.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org