Spring 2008 - ECON3106 - Intermediate Microeconomics - Syllabus

Augusta State University | James M. Hull College of Business | 2500 Walton Way | Augusta, GA 30904

Professor: Dr. J. Brauer | Office: Allgood Hall E-140
Class hours: MW 5:30-6:45pm in AH-N234
Office/tutorial hours: MW 4-5p and 7-8p and Tu 4-8p
Email: jbrauer@aug.edu | I will check and respond to email related to this course almost daily

Course Objectives: Microeconomics is the study of the choices people make and about the consequences these choices entail. The course "repeats" the introductory microeconomics course but adds analytical rigor and works students through higher-level, real-world examples and exercises. I much very intend to teach this as an applied, problem-solving oriented class. Even though calculus is a prerequisite for the course, for now we'll stay away from the calculus. However, we will do a good bit of algebra. It will be my task (and my pleasure!) to help you succeed.

Course prerequisites: ECON2106 and MATH1220 (or MATH2011) with a grade of "C" or better. Students who have not fulfilled the prerequisite may not take this class.

General rules: In all email communication with me, please state your class and your full name in the subject line, e.g., ECON3106 - BRAUER, Jurgen. Be specific with your message and request. During office/tutorial hours, I will assist people as they come by. Come with a specific page number in the textbook and/or a specific problem to work on with me. If you prefer, you can book an appointment time. From experience, most issues can be dealt with in 15 minutes or less. Just email me to reserve a block of time. I’ll post a sign-up sheet on my office door by the beginning of the term. If you sign up, be punctual. However, always first email me with your study problem as the vast majority of them can be easily resolved that way. This keeps tutorial hours open for the few cases that really do need one-on-one attention. Actually and carefully study the assigned chapter in the textbook. Then do all online StudyPlan exercises. These are worked problems; if you miss a step the program will explain to you how to go on. This is where much of your learning-by-doing takes place. Keep good notes.

Miscellaneous: HONESTY: The Augusta State University catalog spells out academic honesty details. Academic dishonesty is not tolerated. The penalty is dismissal from class and an automatic “F” for the course. You may wish to review the student behavior code. GRADES: Unofficial grades will be provided via an Internet posting (no letters, no email, no phone calls, etc.). Final, official, course grades are available via the registrar's office or via your ELROY account in Pipeline. WITHDRAWAL: For withdrawals, grades are “W” before midterm; after midterm, the grade is either “W” or “WF.” Midterm is Thursday, 28 February 2008.

Assignments and assessment:
1. There are 12 chapter StudyPlans to complete (25 percent toward the course grade). Up to the due date/time, you have unlimited attempts and unlimited time. For example, chapter 2 has 36 exercises spread over 6 sections (2.1, 2.2, ... , 2.6). If you solved, say, 32 out of 36 exercises, your score is 88.9%. Be careful that you do not leave out any chapter sections. For example, if you inadvertently leave out the 4 questions of section 2.6, your score will NOT be 32/32 => 100%, but 32/36 => 88.9%. If you are "stumped" with a problem, email me and - within reason - I will help you over the hump. (This offer, however, is good only M-F, not on weekends.) You are welcome to form study groups and collaborate on these problems. However, you need to ensure that you REALLY know how to work them as you are likely to face similar problem sets on the tests.
2. There are 3 tests @ 25 percent each. Each test covers 4 chapters. We'll go over a pretest, covering similar material, in class.
[Note: Although you may download the MyEconLab software to your home or laptop computer (Windows XP only; Internet Explorer 7+), you are advised to use ASU computing facilities only to take the graded assignments.]

Grading: 90%+ A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C; 60-69% D; < 60% F. Grades are not rounded (that is, a 79.9 is a "C", not a "B"). There will be no adjustments.

Textbook: Jeffrey M. Perloff. Microeconomics. 4th edition. Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley, 2007. It is of utmost importance that you buy the book with the MyEconLab access code or else you will not be able to take the online quizzes and tests. (Instructions for registration are posted on my web site.)

Course schedule: Click here for the course schedule.