ECONOMICS 3200

 

ECONOMIC THEORY ‑ MICRO

 

Spring 1999

 

Arthur Diamond

 

Office:  CBA 512E

 

Office Phone:  554‑3657

 

Office Hours:  Mon. from 10:30 AM ‑ 11:30 AM; Weds. from 4:30‑6:00 PM; and by appointment.

 

Internet address:  adiamond@unomaha.edu

 

World Wide Web home page:  http://unicron.unomaha.edu/faculty/adiamond/web/diahompg.htm

 

Course Objectives:

Economics consists of tools of analysis that have proven useful in explaining a wide variety of human behavior.  The aim of the course is mainly for the student to improve her mastery of the tools learned in the basic price theory class, first through an understanding of their theoretical rationale and second through applying them to explain behavior and to predict the effects of government policies.

 

Prerequisites:

            Economics 2200 and 2220 or permission of the instructor.

 

Grades:

Grades will be based on a final and two 75‑minute tests.  The two tests will count for 40 points each.  The final will count for 60 points and will be comprehensive.  The tests and the final will consist of multiple choice questions.  In order to answer some of the questions you will need to make use of graphs or simple algebra.  The first test is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 8th and the second test is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 10th.  The final is scheduled for Monday, May 3rd from 11:30 AM ‑ 1:30 PM.  Only illness or a death in the immediate family will be accepted as legitimate excuses for missing a test or the final.  Documentation will be required.  False documentation will result in a grade of F for the course.  If a test is missed with legitimate excuse, twice the weight will be assigned to the other test.  If the final is missed with legitimate excuse, a make-up final will be given.

 

            The grading scale below (which has been used for several years by the instructor) will be used as the benchmark for assigning course grades.  The grading scale will not be more severe than that below, but may have slightly more favorable point ranges, if the instructor judges that the exams have been more difficult than in past years.

 

Grades

Percentages

Points

A

82.5‑100

115.5‑140

B

72.5‑81.4

101.5‑115.4

C

62.5‑72.4

87.5‑101.4

D

52.5‑62.4

73.5‑87.4

F

51.4 or less

73.4 or less

 

 

Cheating:

Exams will be attentively monitored.  The result of academic dishonesty will be a grade of F for the course and a recommendation for expulsion from the university.

 

Texts:                 Steven E. Landsburg, Price Theory and Applications, 4th ed. (required)

 

                    William V. Weber, Study Guide, 4th ed. (required)

 

Readings Schedule

The following tentative readings schedule divides the semester into 15 one‑week blocks.

 

1. Introduction & Ch. 1

 

2. Chs. 2 & 3

 

3. Chs. 3 & 4

 

4. Ch. 5

 

5. Ch. 6

 

6. Ch. 6

 

7. Ch. 7

 

8. Ch. 7

 

9. Chs. 8 & 9

 

10. Ch. 10

 

11. Ch. 11

 

12. Chs. 12 & 13

 

13. Ch. 14

 

14. Ch. 15

 

15. Ch. 16

 

 

Study Guide Problems:

When the lectures for a chapter have been completed, time will be allowed for you to ask about any questions from the Study Guide that you are having trouble with.  A few of the problems from the Study Guide will appear on the tests (sometimes in modified form to fit the multiple choice format).

 

Purchases, Production and Prices by Tod S. Porter and Teresa M. Riley (an interactive PC program to accompany the Landsburg text):

In addition to a regular study guide in book format, we will be using Purchases. Production and Prices, an interactive graphical tutorial designed for use on personal computers.  The program has been installed on the PC' s in the Enron Computer Lab in room 405 of the CBA building and also on the PC's in the computer lab in the basement of the CBA building.  You will receive a separate handout on how to use the program entitled:  "Instructions for Use of Purchases. Production and Prices with Landsburg Text."  You are strongly encouraged to work with the program, although it will not be possible to grade you directly on the basis of your use of it.  However, a few of the questions from the interactive tutorial will appear on the tests.

 

Course Grade Reporting:

            In a memo dated January 21, 1991, Vice Chancellor Otto Bauer advised faculty that posting grades may be a violation of the "Privacy Rights of Parents and Students Act" of 1974.  Grades will not be posted.  A student who needs early reporting of the course grade may obtain the grade through BRUNO or on the Registrar's World Wide Web home page.

 

Important Dates:

            Jan. 18:  Martin Luther King Day, no classes.

            Feb. 8:  1st exam (tentative date).

            March 10:  2nd exam (tentative date).

            March 15‑19:  Spring vacation; no classes.

            April 2:  Last day until 5:00 PM to drop course with a grade of "W".

            May 3:  Final exam 11:30 AM‑1:30 PM.