ECONOMICS 302 Business Conditions
Analysis
Spring 2004
Tuesday and Thursday
Schwarz 260
PROFESSOR
Dr. Sam Pavel
785-5257
OFFICE
HOURS
Tech 180
(Monday)
and Wednesday
Tuesday
and Thursday
Or other times by Appointment
DESCRIPTION
The
course is a continuation of Econ252. It is a more
rigorous approach to the analysis of the environment in which business operates.
Topics include: the goals of economic
policy, national income accounting, theory of income determination, the
determination and behavior of economic aggregates, such as total output and the
price level.
COURSE GOAL
To provide students
with the tools from intermediate macroeconomic theory that they need to make
sound business decisions.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The student will
have an understanding of:
REQUIRED TEXT
Peterson,
Wallace C., and Paul S. Estenson, Income, Employment, Economic Growth, 8th
ed.,
CLASS FORMAT
This class will be a combination of lecture, discussion, and in-class assignments. Everyone is expected to come to class prepared. This includes having read the reading(s) for the day and being prepared to ask questions and discuss the content of the readings. You also need to keep up with current economic events both nationally and locally. You can accomplish this by reading local newspapers and periodicals and national newspapers such as the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. There are also several good radio and internet resources such as NPR radio and internet. See what you can find on your own and then if you need further suggestions come talk with me.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Homework
Problems will be assigned from various sources. They will be due the following Tuesday at the beginning of the class period. The assignments will not be graded per se. Completion of the homework will be to your benefit. I will also periodically collect assignments.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be unannounced and will occur at random times during the class period. The lowest score will not be included in the final total.
Exams
There will be a two midterm exams and a final exam. The only acceptable excuse for missing an exam is a funeral (your own). In other words, exams cannot be made up except in extreme circumstance.
Your final course grade will be weighted as follows*:
Class Participation/Preparation/Homework 30%
Midterm Exams 40%
Final Exam: 30%
* I reserve the right to adjust the weights according to extenuating circumstances.
GRADING
Departmental policy dictates that your aggregate weighted score on the conventional grading scale will determine all course grades.
A 90 100
B 80 89
C 70 79
D 60 69
F < 60
There will be no individual class curve. The good news is that everyone in the class can receive an A with a little hard work and effort.
If you have a disability that will require testing or classroom accommodations, please see me during the first week of classes.
ATTENDANCE
I will take attendance every day for tracking and financial aid purposes. There is no maximum number of classes that you can miss and not affect your grade. Economics is a very abstract subject and each topic builds on the previous one. If you choose to miss class it could be very difficult to catch up. You also cannot expect to study a few hours before the exams and expect to do well. Make an effort to study every day throughout the semester, including days we dont have class.
OFFICE POLICY
I have an open-door policy. This means when I am there you are almost always welcome to stop by. You can tell if I am around because my door will be open. I am versed in a broad range of topics from Aeronautics to Zymurgy. We can talk about whatever you would like. If you would like to meet at a time other than my scheduled office hours and you want to make sure both of us will be there, make an appointment.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
This course is for your benefit. Although group study and interaction is encouraged I expect everyone to turn in their own work on assignments. Plagiarism, copying, or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.