ECO 1040: Citizen’s Guide to Economics

Fall 2010
Syllabus

Instructor: Katherine Sauer, Ph.D. (Dr. Katie)

Office: CN 312G
Phone: 303-556-3037
Email: ksauer5@mscd.edu

Office Hours: Mondays 10am – noon & 2pm-3pm

Tuesdays 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Thursdays 2:45pm – 3:45pm
By appointment during other days/times

Course Meetings:
T&R 4pm – 5:15pm WC 143

Course Description:
This course introduces students to basic economic concepts and reasoning, the legal foundations of a
market-based economic system, the fundamentals of the macro-economy, and the foundations of the
global economy. Students will be exposed to measurements of a nation’s macro-economy, money and
banking, the role of government in the economy, the importance of the international economy, and
myths about markets. A key feature of this course is the application of economic reasoning to real world
problems.

This course counts for the General Studies - Level II, Social Sciences requirement.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- define the concepts and vocabulary commonly used in basic economic theory
- explain, using examples, the concepts and vocabulary commonly used in basic economic theory
- apply economic reasoning to everyday, real world issues

Prerequisites:
None

Required Course Materials:

Textbook: Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan (2010) ISBN: 978-0-393-33764-8
(This is not a traditional textbook. It is a popular press item that is available at just about any large
bookstore. The price is $16.95.)

Components of Course Grade:

Assignments 30%
Article Analysis 20% (due on 12/9)
Exams 50% (exam 1: 9/30, exam 2: 11/4, exam 3: TBA finals week)

Assignments
Assignments will vary in nature. Some will be homework and some will be worked on in groups during
class time. You are allowed to drop one homework grade and two in-class assignment grades. No
make ups are given.
Article Analysis
During the term you will complete a written analysis of a current event. Refer to the “Guidelines for
Article Analyses” document for instructions. Your article analysis must be turned in by you during class.
Electronic submissions are not accepted (except in the gravest of extenuating circumstances). Late work
is not accepted.

If you would like me to look over a rough draft of your analysis prior to the due date, please bring a
copy of your work to me in office hours or make an appointment to see me.

Exams
Exams will consist of multiple choice questions and some longer problems. You may, however, take the
exam during office hours early if you have a prior conflict. If you miss an exam for ANY REASON,
then the final exam will be weighted more heavily to compensate. Make ups are not given.

Final Exam
The final is cumulative. Sometimes it takes awhile to “get” economics and I like to reward
improvement. If you score higher on the final exam than the average of your other exams, I will weight
your final exam more heavily. If you miss an exam during the term, you are not eligible for this offer.

Policies:
Exam Grade Dispute Policy
If you have a dispute/argument/disagreement with grading, please observe the following procedure:
1. You must wait 24 hours before bringing your argument/dispute/disagreement to my attention.
2. After the 24 hours, you may submit to me in writing an explanation of your
argument/dispute/disagreement.
3. I will review your case by the next school day and set up an appointment with you to discuss
my decision.

**If your only dispute is an incorrect calculation of your grade, let me know as soon as
possible. A submission in writing is not necessary.

Course Email Policy

Please use your @mscd email address when emailing me. If you do not, you run the risk of my email
filter program deciding that your message is spam. If I need to send an email to the class, I will be using
your @mscd email address.

Please do not use the email feature in Web CT/ BlackBoard to email me. Write directly to me at
ksauer5@mscd.edu .

Disability Accommodations
Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or accommodations because of a disability is
required to go to the Access Center Office in Auraria Library, Suite 116 by the end of the first week of class
so that such accommodations may be arranged. Their phone number is 303-556-8387, you can email them at
mscd-accesscenter@mscd.edu , and you can find them online at http://www.mscd.edu/~access/ .

Accommodations will not be granted prior to my receipt of your faculty notification letter from the
Access Center. Please note that accommodations are never provided retroactively (i.e., prior to the
receipt of your faculty notification letter.) Once I am in receipt of your official Access Center faculty
notification letter, I would be happy to meet with you to discuss your accommodations. All discussions
will remain confidential.

Religious Holidays
The college policy of observing all religious holidays will be abided by in this class. A prior indication of
any religious requirement is necessary.

NC Policy
During the first 10 weeks of class, you may opt for NC through MetroConnect online. You do not need a
signature from me. After the 10th week, you will not be granted NC unless you go through a formal process
with the Dean’s Office and Registrar - showing documentation of sudden hardship (e.g. medical reason, etc).
The Fall 2010 NC deadline is Wednesday November 10th.

Student Code of Conduct

Metropolitan State College of Denver has a Student Conduct Code and every student is expected to be
familiar with it particularly regarding the policy on cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic
dishonesty.
Available online:
http://www.mscd.edu/policies/student_code_of_conduct/student_conduct_code.shtml

______________________________________________________________________________

Course Schedule
(subject to revision as necessary)

Week beginning: Topics Chapter Reminders

8/23 Introduction
8/30 Supply, Demand, and Markets 1
9/6 Incentives, Government I 2, 3
9/13 Government I, II 3, 4
9/20 Government II, Information 4, 5
9/27 Review / Exam 1 1-5 Exam 1
10/4 Productivity 6
10/11 Financial Markets 7
10/18 Organized Interests 8
10/25 The National Economy 9
11/1 Review / Exam 2 6-9 Exam 2
11/8 The Federal Reserve 10 NC deadline
11/15 International Economics 11
11/22 FALL BREAK NO CLASS
11/29 Trade and Globalization 12
12/6 Development Economics 13 Analysis Due
12/13-12/17 FINAL EXAM WEEK 1-13 TBA