ECN 100 INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS

FALL 2017
ECN-100-001/100/400, Tues & Thurs., 9:25am 10:40am Room AC 107/ITN

INSTRUCTOR: Patrick Cunningham PHONE: 317-6312 OFFICE: BA 120

e-mail: patrick.cunningham@azwestern.edu

* please send email from your AWC toro email account. Other email
accounts may (WILL) end up in the junk folder and not viewed.

OFFICE HOURS: Mon & Wed 9:00am 10:40am, Tue & Thu 8:00am 9:15am, or by
appointment. I am in the office a lot so please drop on in. You are welcome! (Times
subject to change)

ECN 100 INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS

Credit Hours: 3 Lec 3 General Education Course:
G (Global Awareness)

PREREQUISITE: ENG 101 eligibility or appropriate reading score

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Investigates the basic concepts and principles of economics and how they operate within
the American economic system. This course highlights both macro and microeconomics
in very simplified terms, intended for those who will only take one course in economics.

1. COURSE GOAL
This course prepares learners to understand Micro and Macroeconomics have a basic
understanding of economics in relation to current events, discuss current events issues,
which relate to economics, better understand that economics is the foundation for many
other disciplines, and understand economics and its function in our economy and society.

2. COMPETENCIES
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students will be able to:
2.1 understand how economic policy and activity has an effect on all of us.
2.2 become literate in economics enabling more effective behavior within our
economic system.
2.3 learn the effect of government on our economy.
2.4 understand the effects of government, social pressures, individual actions, global
conditions, and how these affect the economic system and how it functions.
2.5 understand and gain a perspective on economic history and its evolution.
2.6 understand the difference between Macro and Microeconomics.
3. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Under AWC Policy, students are expected to attend every session of class in which they
are enrolled.
3.2 If a student is unable to attend the course or must drop the course for any reason, it will
be the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the course by the withdrawal
deadline of Thursday, November 9, 2017. Students who are not attending as of the
10th day of the semester will be considered a no show by the instructor. If the student
does not withdraw from the course and fails to complete the requirements of the course,
the student will receive a failing grade.
3.3 Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations: Arizona Western College provides
academic accommodations to students with disabilities through AccessABILITY
Resource Services (ARS). ARS provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to
students who have documented disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to make
the ARS Coordinator aware of the need for accommodations in the classroom prior to the
beginning of the semester. Students should follow up with their instructors once the
semester begins. To make an appointment call the ARS front desk at (928) 344-7674 or
ARS Coordinator at (928) 344-7629, in the College Community Center (3C) building,
next to Advising.
3.4 Academic Integrity: Any student participating in acts of academic dishonesty
including, but not limited to, copying the work of other students, using unauthorized
crib notes, plagiarism, stealing tests, or forging an instructors signaturewill be
subject to the procedures and consequences outlined in AWCs Student Code of
Conduct.
3.5 Texts and Notebooks: Students are required to obtain the class materials for the course.

Text: (1) Essentials of Economics, 10th ed., Bradley R. Schiller, McGraw Hill
publisher. ISBN 9781259235702
In addition to the text described above, you will need:
access to a computer,
word processing software,
spreadsheet or graphics software for making graphs (optional, but
preferred),
a valid AWC e-mail address, and
Internet access.
If you do not have an AWC e-mail address, you must obtain one at the
AWC computer lab or at the following AWC WebAdvisor Links on the
AWC homepage.

Important: connectivity is the students responsibility.

3.6 Assigned Deadlines: Students are responsible for making sure they have
assignments and handouts (which are available in Blackboard) and turn in
assignments on time through Blackboard. Late work is not accepted
unless the reason is extreme, unexpected, and unavoidable. Work will not be
accepted under any circumstances if the key covering that work has been
released or if the class has moved on to the next module.
 3.7 Make-Up Exams: Exams may not be made up unless arrangements to do so
are made in advance or the reason is extreme, unexpected, and unavoidable.

3.8 Conduct: Proper dress and conduct is expected at all times during this course in
order to maintain the professional atmosphere that reflects higher education and your goal
of being an educated professional. Hats/caps and dark glasses are not acceptable in the
classroom. Make sure that cell phones, and other instruments of noise are managed so as
not to disrupt class.
3.9 Other: Additionally, students are responsible for:
3.6.1 keeping up with the course and not getting behind.
3.6.2 completing assignments prior to the beginning of class.
3.6.3 taking all tests and writing all papers.
3.6.4 participating in class activities and discussions and being
prepared for class.
3.6.5 following make-up policy.

4. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Instruction methods may include:

4.1 lecture, discussions, and activities of course material and relevant issues.
4.2 videos and overheads.
4.3 pre-assignment of topic to be covered in class.
4.4 discussion generated from student questions in class.

5. LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Students are required to:

5.1 read all assigned chapters.

5.2 receive lectures and participate in class activities and discussions.
5.3 write reaction or information papers.
5.4 watch videos and view overheads.

6. EVALUATION:

6.1 GRADING SCALE:

Students grades will be determined by the total number of points students
earn in the course as follows: * Point total subject to change.

POINTS GRADE
720-800 A
640-719 B
560-639 C
480-559 D
BELOW 480 F
6.2 GRADING SYSTEM:
TOTAL POSSIBLE
POINTS
Participation / Communication 50
Quizzes (5 X 20 points each) 100
Homework (10 X 10 points each) 100
Written papers (2 X 75 points each) 150
Exams (4 X 75pts each, Exam #5 = 100pts) 400
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS (subject to change) 800
6.3 Students will submit 2 written papers according to guidelines given
by the instructor (SEE 7.2 BELOW). Each written paper will be between
1 and 2 pages in length. Written Paper #1 and Written Paper #2 will be
submitted in final form. Articles need to be approved by the instructor.

6.4 Tests and quizzes may consist of essay questions, short essay,
true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching and objective type
questions. The instructor will tell students exactly what kind of questions
will be on each test during the class session prior to the test date. If
students must miss a test, they should contact the instructor before the
scheduled test is given.

6.5 It is important for students to actively participate in class discussion and

activities. Students are expected to accept other students comments and
class contributions without judgment. Students will find that preparedness
for class is essential for participation.
7. OTHER INFORMATION:

7.1 Students should anticipate a minimum of 2-3 hours of preparation for each
hour of class time. (This is a general rule of thumb).

7.2 WRITTEN PAPER GUIDELINES: Students will have 2 Written Papers

to be turned in on the announced date. Students will chose a recent article
(within the last 3 months) published in a major newspaper or magazine
(articles from other sources, such as, professional journals and the internet
must have also been published in a major newspaper or magazine to be
used). Chosen articles need to be approved by the instructor. The content
of each Written Paper will contain 3 distinct and clearly labeled sections:

1) Summary
2) Relation to Class Material
3) Reaction.

To be graded, each Written Paper MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

a. source and date of article
b. typed, double spaced, between 1 and 2 pages in length
c. cover the assigned topic
d. article or copy of article attached to the reaction
paper
e. NO PLAGIARISM (this is like cheating)

Students are required to submit their article to the instructor for approval.
This may be returned to the student with comments and suggestions if
necessary and requested. Written Paper #1 and Written Paper #2 will be
turned in its final form.

* Written Papers are due at the beginning of class on the announced

due date. Papers turned in after class has begun will have a minimum
of 5 points deducted from the grade. Additional points may be
deducted for each CALENDAR day the paper is late.

REACTION PAPER TOPIC

1 Supply and/or Demand Determinants
2 Macroeconomics

7.3 Students are expected to keep up with the course and not get
behind. Students are encouraged to seek the instructor out if they are
having difficulty in this course. Together the students and the instructor
may be able to come up with suggestions and ideas for improvement.
Students should seek help prior to any impact on their grade.
 8. COURSE OUTLINE & SCHEDULE (subject to change):
Date Chapter Topic
8/22 1 Introduction, Course Syllabus
8/24 1 Basics
8/29 2 U.S. Economy
8/31 3 Supply and Demand
9/5 3 Supply and Demand
9/7 3 Supply and Demand QUIZ #1 9/7-9/11
9/12 Review Chapters 1-3 for Exam #1 / Written Paper Overview
9/14 Exam #1 Chapters 1-3
9/19 4 Consumer Demand
9/21 5 Supply Decisions
9/26 6 Competition
9/28 6 Competition QUIZ #2 9/28-10/2
10/3 Review Chapters 4-6 for Exam #2 (Written Paper #1 Article Due)
10/5 Exam #2 Chapters 4-6
10/10 7 Monopoly
10/12 7 Monopoly
10/17 8 The Labor Market
10/19 9 Government QUIZ #3 10/19-10/23
10/24 Review Chapters 7-9 for Exam #3 (Written Paper #1 Final Copy due)
10/26 Exam #3 Chapters 7-9
10/31 10 Business Cycle
11/2 11 Aggregate Supply and Demand
11/7 12 Fiscal Policy
11/9 13 Money and Banking QUIZ #4 11/9-11/13
11/14 Review Chapters 10-13 for Exam #4
11/16 Exam #4 Chapters 10-13
11/21 14 Monetary Policy
11/23 No Classes Thanksgiving Holiday
11/28 15 Economic Growth
11/30 16 Theory/Reality QUIZ #5 11/30-12/1
12/5 17 International Trade (Written Paper #2 due)
12/7 Review Chapters 14 - 17 for Exam #5
12/8 (Friday 8:15am 11:00am Economic Forum 3-C
Conference Center - Extra Credit Opportunity 25 points)
12/14 THURSDAY Exam #5 Chapters 14-17 + Assessment
(8:30am 10:30am)