Syllabus
Essay by Kabir Roshann • August 20, 2015 • Course Note • 610 Words (3 Pages) • 1,082 Views
Economics 514 Microeconomic Theory
Summer 2015
Professor John Umbeck
Office Number: Krannert 458
Krannert Office Phone: 494-4447
Home Office Phone: 497-9270 (from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm only)
Email address: umbeck@purdue.edu
I. Structure of the Classes
Each day you will attend 2 lectures. Each lecture will last approximately 90 minutes. The purpose of the lectures is to elaborate upon the material assigned in the text and, in some cases, to present new material not in the book. The lectures are not a substitute for reading the assigned material.
Each student must have access to Katalyst. All of the out of class communications from me to you will be done through Katalyst.
Please note that laptop computers or other electronic devices may not be used during class.
II. Materials
Course Textbook: John M. Barron, Gerald J. Lynch and Kelly H. Blanchard: Economics: A Survey, Bent Tree Press, 8th Edition. An electronic version of the text is also available on line: www.kendallhunt.com/blanchard
III. Student Evaluation
Your grade in this course will be determined by your performance on a final exam. The final exam will be up to 3 hours, cover all of the material in the course, and will be worth 1000 points. In class attendance and participation will contribute to your grade only at the margin.
Your course grade will be based upon a curve determined at the completion of the course. Grades of + and - will be awarded at the margin.
IV. Office Hours
I will be here every class day and after each lecture, either in my office or in this class room. You can also make an appointment by contacting me directly through class, phone or by email. We will have 90 minutes between the lectures each day. If you want help, you can schedule a break out room and we can work through lunch.
V. Tentative Reading Assignments
Day | Text Chapter | Topic |
1 | 1 & 2 | Introduction to the science of economics, choices, cost & comparative advantage. |
2 | 3 | Specialization, gains from trade and the law of demand . |
3 | 4 | Supply, diminishing returns and production. |
4 | 5, 6 & 7 | Markets prices and regulations |
5 | 8, 9 & 10 | Labor, interest rates and the effect of information costs |
6 | 11, 12 | Property rights, monopolies and conspiracy |
7 | Speculation and futures markets |
VI. Practice Exams and Problems
Given the time compression in this course, I will not have time to give assignments or a midterm exam. This is unfortunate. However, as a substitute, I will post some problems each day for you to work on after class. Your work on these is optional and you will not submit them for grading. I will post answers to the questions after you have had some time to work on them. I will also post a copy of an old midterm exam so that you can see how I ask questions in preparation for the final exam.
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