Syllabus
BUEC 204: Microeconomics – Summer Session 2 (2023)
Credits - 3
Description
This course is designed to provide students with insight into and appreciation of the dynamics of a market-based economy. Microeconomics is the study of interactions of individual economic agents, consumers, producers and governments, to determine how decisions are made in allocating the use of scarce resources within a society. The theoretical framework of supply and demand models, the core of economic analysis, are introduced, and developed throughout the course. Perfectly competitive markets are defined and analyzed in order to allow comparisons of economic efficiencies and inefficiencies relative to other organizational forms of economic activity. Market imperfections, monopolies as well as more general distortions of market behavior, and market failures will also be identified and addressed in detail. The role of government involvement within a market economy will also be discussed.
Microeconomics is the very foundation of economic reasoning and methodology. A firm grasp of the concepts of microeconomics will allow students to better comprehend the decision-making process involving allocation of resources as well as social welfare consequences of different forms and structures of economic activity.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
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Apply economic concepts to evaluate true costs and benefits of alternative actions
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Define microeconomic concepts such as supply and demand models, ceteris paribus, market imperfections, monopolies, perfect competition, and market structure
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Assess and formulate informed opinions regarding the numerous economic-related current event issues under discussion
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Describe the complexities and efficiency of a market economy, as well as areas of shortcomings and provide insights into possible improvements
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Identify and appraise the overall interdependency of all economic activity and an ability to better assess true costs and benefits of intervention in the market mechanism
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Participate in active learning in the course through such activities as thoughtful and meaningful discussion board posts and debates, and presentation of research through contemplative posts and written essays
Assignments
- 5 Discussion Board Posts, with 2 peer responses (weeks 1, 2, 4, 5)
- 4 weekly multiple-choice assessments (weeks 1, 2, 4, 5)
- 1 mid-term exam in essay format (week 3)
- 1 final exam in essay format (week 6)
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Percentage | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Discussion Board Participation | 25% | July 12, 19, Aug 2, 9 |
| Mid-term Quiz | 30% | July 18-19 |
| Final Exam | 40% | August 15-16 |
| Weekly Assessments | 5% | July 12, 19, Aug 2, 9 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Week 1: short week – Jul 5 – Jul 9
Week 2: Jul 10 – Jul 16
Week 3: Jul 17 – Jul 23
Week 4: Jul 24 – Jul 30
Week 5: Jul 31 – Aug 6
Week 6: short week – Aug 7 – Aug 11
| Week of: | Topic: | Reading: | Assignments: |
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| July 10 |
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| July 17 |
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| July 24 |
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| July 31 |
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| August 7 |
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Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
Policies
Diversity Statement
This course and our classroom is a place where all students should feel welcomed. UNE’s Core Values Statement acknowledges “the benefits of a richly varied campus community arise not only from the diversity of its people but also from a sense of belonging and the context this creates to explore and celebrate differences in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, underpinned by a sense of cultural humility and a commitment to ethical ideals” (see https://www.une.edu/about/glance/mission-vision-and-values).
- If you have another name or pronouns different from the roster, please let me know.
Proctored Examinations
The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.
Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome or Firefox extension and are using the most current version of Chrome or Firefox. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.
Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's website, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.
Students must use ProctorU and must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited.
Proctored exams are not available for review at any time. You will not be able to see the questions, nor the answers you've given, after completing the exams. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Course Discussions
Discussion board assignments cover interesting current events or materials related to this course that contribute to a deeper understanding of key concepts and allow you to interact with your classmates and the instructor. Each assignment may require you to conduct internet research, read additional materials (a short journal or magazine article), visit a specific webpage, AND/OR view a short video prior to writing a response following the specific guidelines in the assignment.
To earn full credit: you will need to post a response to the discussion topic, respond to the original posts of at least two other students, and then contribute meaningfully to an ongoing discussion. You will need to post your initial response before you will see any posts from your classmates. Please keep in mind that only this initial response is included in your assignment grade, so make sure you have followed all of the guidelines and written a complete response prior to submitting the post. For special cases where one or two students are accelerating faster through the course, the instructor will participate in the discussion so that everyone has the opportunity to interact.
Please see Brightspace for a full description, along with specific guidelines, for each assignment. Discussion board assignments should be completed, along with all other assignments in the course, in the order that they appear. Due to the course design, you may be unable to take a proctored exam if you do not complete all assignments that appear prior to that exam.
Please also refer to the Grading Policy/Grade Breakdown section of the syllabus to learn the percentage of your grade that each discussion board assignment is worth.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus. This is, however a self-paced course and you can complete the course in less time.
- Courses in the SPHP program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 16 weeks
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
- Course start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please visit the enrollment page to review the withdrawal and refund policies.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. View the incomplete grade policy..
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
To view your unofficial UNE student transcript:
- Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
- Select Student Services
- Select Student Records
- Select Academic Transcript
To request your official UNE student transcript:
Please review your Unofficial Transcript prior to requesting an Official Transcript.
- Log into uonline at http://uonline.une.edu
- Select Student Services
- Select Student Records
- Select Request Printed/Official Transcript
- Follow the prompts
After you click Submit Request, your official transcript will be put into the queue to be printed in the Registrar's Office.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.