University of Lethbridge – Department
of Economics
ECON 1010(A) – Introduction
to Microeconomics
Summer 2008
|
Lectures |
Laboratories |
|
Instructor: |
Michael G. LANYI |
Michael G. LANYI |
|
Class Times: |
Tu. & Th. 13:00 – 15:50 |
Lab 1: |
W. 13:00 – 14:50 |
Place: |
B–660 |
|
B–660 |
|
|
|
|
Office: |
C–574 |
Office Hours: |
|
Phone: |
332–4590 |
|
MWF 12:30 – 13:20 |
|
|
|
C–574 |
Required Materials:
MICROECONOMICS: Canada in the Global
Environment, Sixth Edition (2006).
Parkin, Michael and Robin Bade. Pearson-Addison-Wesley
The Study Guide to the above text is available in the
Bookstore and is HIGHLY recommended (but not required).
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to provide the student
with a background in microeconomic theory and to prepare the student to take
upper level courses in both theoretical and applied economics. The course will begin with a review of the
economic concepts necessary for an understanding of all subsequent material,
and follow with the major themes in microeconomics: opportunity cost, demand
and supply, elasticity, consumer and producer theory, market structures, etc.
Course Outline:
Students are strongly encouraged to read the course
material before attending
lectures. Unless otherwise stated in class, students should read the entire
chapter corresponding to the various topics outlined below (appendices can be
omitted unless otherwise stated in class). The course material with chapter
references is as follows:
No. |
Topics |
Reading |
|
|
|
1. |
What is Economics? |
Ch. 1 |
2. |
The Economic Problem |
Ch. 2 |
3. |
Demand and Supply |
Ch. 3 |
4. |
Elasticity |
Ch. 4 |
5. |
Efficiency and Equity |
Ch. 5 |
6. |
Markets in Action |
Ch. 6 |
7. |
Utility and Demand |
Ch. 7 |
8. |
Possibilities, Preferences, & Choices |
Ch. 8 |
9. |
Organizing Production (If Time Permits) |
Ch. 9 |
10. |
Output and Costs |
Ch. 10 |
11. |
Perfect Competition |
Ch. 11 |
12. |
Monopoly |
Ch. 12 |
13. |
Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly (If Time
Permits) |
Ch. 13 |
Lectures
While attendance in class is not mandatory and
absences will not factor into the final course grade, randomly circulated class
list might provide bonus marks for attendance. Since not all materials are
covered in the text book, students are strongly encouraged to attend lectures. Certain
materials will be posted to the class web page on WebCT.
These are made available to assist you during lecture. They are not a substitute for attending lectures.
You are responsible for printing these (if required) and bring them to class.
Out of respect for all students in the class, unnecessary disruption will not be tolerated. Missing
lectures is not a valid excuse for inability to answer any exam question.
Laboratories
Laboratories are an important component of the course.
You should be registered in Lab 1. During these laboratories, I will answer any
question you may have regarding lectures or exam. In addition, each week,
approximately 20 multiple choice questions will be given to you and I will show
you how to answer these questions.
Examinations, Absence Policy
and Grade Determination
There will be two
(2) midterms and a final exam.
The two (2) midterm grades will be counted as 25% each, totaling 50% of your final grade. The final exam is partially
cumulative worth the remaining 50% of
your final grade. There will be no assignments. All the midterms will be
held in the classroom while the final exam will be held during the final exam
period (scheduled by the Registrar’s office). All exams will consist of
multiple choice questions. The exams are scheduled as follow:
Midterm #1: Thursday, May 22, 2008
Midterm #2: Thursday, June 5, 2008
Final Exam: Thursday, June 19, 2008
Bonus Incentive on
Performance:
You will have an opportunity to receive 3% bonus added
to your final grade if the following condition is met. If your second midterm grade is higher than the previous one, you will
receive 1.5% bonus, and if your final
exam grade is higher than your best midterm grade, you will receive the
other 1.5% bonus. This bonus is designed to give you an incentive to perform
better toward the end of the course.
Absence from Exam Policy:
Except under extremely unusual circumstances, if an
exam is to be missed for any valid reason (and this does happen), you must give notification before the
scheduled time of the exam by calling my office. This is then followed
up with appropriate documentation (e.g., a medical certificate) within 48 hours of the missed
exam. Failure to do one or both of these will result in a failing grade on the
examination.
There will be NO make–up Midterms! The weight of any missed exam will be
added to the final exam.
Except under extremely unusual circumstances, no requests will be entertained for early
or delayed exams.
Letter grades will be based on numerical final grades as
follows:
|
A+ |
90 |
< |
|
A+ |
|
|
|
A |
85 |
< |
|
A |
≤ |
90 |
|
A– |
80 |
< |
|
A– |
≤ |
85 |
|
B+ |
77 |
< |
|
B+ |
≤ |
80 |
|
B |
73 |
< |
|
B |
≤ |
77 |
|
B– |
70 |
< |
|
B– |
≤ |
73 |
|
C+ |
66 |
< |
|
C+ |
≤ |
70 |
|
C |
63 |
< |
|
C |
≤ |
66 |
|
C– |
60 |
< |
|
C– |
≤ |
63 |
|
D+ |
56 |
< |
|
D+ |
≤ |
60 |
|
D |
50 |
≤ |
|
D |
≤ |
56 |
|
F |
0 |
≤ |
|
F |
< |
50 |
Students should keep all graded exams. In the case of
disagreement between your recorded mark and the mark on your exam, the latter
will be taken to be correct.