The following is the schedule for Quizzes, Exams, and Discussions.
Schedule for Quizzes and Exams
Quiz 1: Aug. 30, Friday                        15 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Quiz 2: Sep. 20, Friday                         15 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Exam 1: Oct. 4, Friday                         60 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Quiz 3: Oct. 18, Friday                         15 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Quiz 4: Nov. 1, Friday                          15 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Exam 2: Nov. 8, Friday                         60 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Quiz 5: Nov. 22, Friday                        15 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm
Final Exam: Dec. 13, Friday             120 minutes, open from 6 am to 10 pm

Schedule for Weekly Discussions

There will be weekly discussion questions worth 12 bonus points. You must submit your answer before Saturday by 10 pm in order to earn the allocated points. Late submission will not be graded. Please think through each question carefully before submitting your answer; it must be brief, specific and unambiguous relative to the question. Note that you must first submit your answer to a discussion question before you can see other students’ answers. After reading through those answers, choose one and comment on it briefly. Even though your remarks on a fellow student’s answer is part of the virtual class participation, it is only your answer to the question that will earn you the assigned bonus points.

Notes:
1. It is important that you participate actively in the discussions since the quizzes and the essay part of the exams will mirror the discussion questions. All discussions start every Monday of the week at 6 am and end
    on Saturday of the week at 10 pm.

2. The bonus points that you earn on discussions will be added to your total score (out of the 500 points) to determine your final letter grade for the course.

Important Dates:
Monday 8/19: First Day of Classes.
Monday 8/26:  Last Day to Add Classes or Change Grading Option.
Monday 9/2: University closed (Labor Day)
Friday 9/27:  Last day to apply for graduation (without late fee)
Thursday 10/24:  Last day of withdrawing with a grade of “W”
Monday 11/11: University closed (Veteran's Day)
Wednesday 11/27: No Classes Scheduled (University Open)
Thursday 11/28: University Closed for Thanksgiving
Monday 12/2: University Opens after Thanksgiving
Saturday 12/14: Fall Semester Ends 
Sunday 12/15: Commencement Day 

General Education Requirement:
Econ 2610 fulfills a Societies and Institutions requirement for General Education by meeting Goals 11 and 12.
Goal 11: Evaluate the impact of theories, events and institutions of the social, economic, legal and  political aspects of society.
How Goal 11 is met:
The primary objective of this course is to study the decisions of individual households and firms and the allocation of resources in individual markets under conditions of scarcity. During this exploration, we will ask specific relevant real world questions which will cause us to evaluate the impact that these theories have on the economic aspects of the society. Through our study of markets, we will learn the issues involved with producing and distributing output. First we will examine the product market and the theories of supply and demand and see how prices of good and services are determined. In our discussion of labor market theory, we will learn how wages are determined and what might cause differences in wages (wage discrimination). We will examine issues of income distribution and poverty and specifically how income differs with education, gender, and social prejudices. We will also focus on the way in which consumers and firms reach their goals and objectives, given the constraints they face. We will examine the theory of utility maximization and later of profit maximization. We will look at profit maximization under different assumptions of market structure. We will examine the theory of regulation and the specific ways in which government institutions choose to regulate firms. We will also consider the effects of government regulation of prices on social welfare and resource use. Your ability to critically evaluate specific economic proposals, predict the outcomes of proposals, and determine the appropriate policy is enhanced through your study of microeconomic theory, events and institutions.

Goal 12: Comprehend and appreciate the development of diversity in America in all its forms.

How Goal 12 is met:
The role of diversity in microeconomics will be discussed in many ways. First, we will pay specific attention to diverse needs and goals of the participants in the economy. In a market system the actions of one participant are needed to reinforce or constrain the actions of other participants. The economy as a system needs all of its participants. You will gain an understanding of the role of the different participants and their effects on social welfare maximization. The discussion of diversity will be important in many specific topics as well. For example, in our discussion on poverty, we will examine the poverty rates and how those rates differ by demographics. We will also discuss the various responses to economic incentives (for example, a tax on cigarettes has been shown to be more effective in reducing smoking among teenagers than for adults), and how markets provide a system for efficiently meeting the needs of diverse populations.  

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Copyright© 1996, Ebenge Usip, all rights reserved.
Last revised: Friday, August 23, 2019.