Syllabus
UNE Summer Session
ECON 1010: Microeconomics – Summer Session – 6 Weeks (Summer 2024)
Credits - 3
Description
This course provides a thorough introduction to microeconomic theory. This course begins with an analysis of opportunity costs and trade offs. These concepts are then used as the foundation for studying producer and consumer behavior. Next, consumer and producer behavior theory are combined and used as the building blocks for an analysis of supply, demand, consumer surplus, producer surplus, and elasticity. The course concludes with an overview of the four market structures commonly studied in microeconomics and how they rely on the concepts and theories that have provided the foundation for the course. Recommended prerequisite: College Algebra.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Objectives
- Examine the role economists play in society and how they use critical thinking skills
- Analyze the term microeconomics and the components of the economic system: demand, supply, equilibrium, and consumption
- Evaluate the factors of production, market structure, resource allocation, and regulation
- Analyze household behavior and consumer choice
- Summarize the behavior of profit maximizing firms and the production process
- Outline the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services
- Debate the concept of scarcity and opportunity cost with the concept of marginal analysis to evaluate trade-offs and make decisions
- Analyze how markets work to allocate resources and the optimal individual decision-making that underlies market outcomes
- Identify various market structures and their implications for resource allocation
Assignments
Knowledge Check
Knowledge Check are weekly quizzes that will test your knowledge over the concepts covered in the readings and videos for that week. Your course allows for a possible second attempt with quizzes assignments. Please contact your course instructor if you wish to utilize another attempt.
Discussion
Discussions require two responses. The first response should address the question presented in the prompt. The second response should be a response to a classmate comparing and contrasting examples used in the first response.
Article Analysis
Article Analysis requires an analysis of a current event that relates to a microeconomic concept or theory.
Readings and Video Submission
Readings and Video Submissions are focused questions designed to help students reflect on the readings and videos presented for the weekly topic.
Worksheet Quiz
Worksheets are opportunities to practice and apply the concepts and theories that are covered each week. Each worksheet quiz consists of either multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, or short answer questions that will be based on concept and theory definitions, graph interpretation, mathematical computations and practical scenarios.
Research Analysis
The Research Analysis allows students to research products and/or firms that operate within each of the following market structures: Perfect Competition, Monopolistic Competition, Oligopoly, and Monopoly. Through this analysis, students will become more familiar with the characteristics and attributes of each market structure.
Final
The Final is comprehensive and consists of multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions which encompasses all material in Weeks 1-6. The questions are based on theory and concept definitions, graph interpretations, mathematical computations, and practical scenarios.
This Final Exam must be taken though ProctorU. See UNE’s ProctorU page for information about signing up and scheduling your exam. The official UNE webcam is required.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Check | 60 | 6% |
| Discussion | 29 | 29% |
| Article Analysis: Week 1 | 100 | 10% |
| Readings and Video Submission | 180 | 18% |
| Worksheet | 160 | 16% |
| Research Analysis: Week 6 | 100 | 10% |
| Final | 110 | 11% |
| Total | 1000 | 100% |
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
Course Schedule
Week 1: short week – Jul 3 – Jul 7
Week 2: Jul 8 – Jul 14
Week 3: Jul 15 – Jul 21
Week 4: Jul 22 – Jul 28
Week 5: Jul 29 – Aug 4
Week 6: short week – Aug 5 – Aug 9
|
Week |
Topic |
Assignments |
Due Dates |
|
1 |
What is Economics? |
|
Initial discussion post due Friday at 11:59 PM. Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM. |
|
2 |
Factors of Production and the Circular Flow Model |
|
Initial discussion post due Friday at 11:59 PM. Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM. |
|
3 |
Production Possibilities Frontier |
|
Initial discussion post due Friday at 11:59 PM. Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM. |
|
4 |
Consumer Theory and Utility |
|
Initial discussion post due Friday at 11:59 PM. Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM. |
|
5 |
Supply, Demand, and Equilibrium |
|
Initial discussion post due Friday at 11:59 PM. Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM. All other assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM. |
|
6 |
Market Structures Finals Week |
|
Assignments Due Friday by 11:59 PM |
Student Resources
Summer Session 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: summersessiononline@une.edu.
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 support specialist 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.
To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.
If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.
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
Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the Student Summer Session Manual for full details.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course).
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
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.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.
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.
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 College. 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.
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Assignments
Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.
Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Exam Attempts Policy
Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.
All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
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.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 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 due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.
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.
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.