Microeconomics: An Introduction to Economic Efficiency

SUMMER 2018

ECO 211-W01, ECO 211-W02, and ECO 211-W03

~/~ Syllabus ~/~ Schedule ~/~ Lessons ~/~ Mic Web App ~/~ Web Quizzes ~/~ Blackboard ~/~
~/~
Practice Exercises ~/~ Flashcards ~/~ Video Lecture Notes ~/~ Textbook Website~/~

Welcome to ECO 211 ONLINE! - Microeconomics

BASIC INFORMATION

THREE SECTIONS

These web pages will be used by three different class sections:

GENERAL INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION

OFFICIAL: "Covers economic problems faced by the individual and the firm. Examination of market structures, price and output determination. The microeconomic approach. IAI S3 902"

This course will cover the area of economics commonly defined as microeconomics which is concerned with the individual parts of the economy such as individual businesses or industries, individual consumers, and individual products. Our goal is to study whether the economy uses our limited resources to obtain the maximum satisfaction possible for society. We will concentrate on three issues or goals: ALLOCATIVE EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY, and EQUITY.

Course Issues:

  • efficiency (allocative efficiency)
  • efficiency (productive efficiency)
  • equity

This course is an ONLINE class. Students will read and study the assignments, watch the online videos, do online assignments, and take exams either at home using Lockdown Browser (Respondus Monitor) - see below - or at the Harper Testing Center (room A-148).

NOTE: students do not need to be at Harper or online at any particular time.

 

MATH SKILLS

This course requires students to have basic skills in mathematics, including the use of graphs. If your math skills are weak you should consider building them before taking this course. There is a Math Quiz on our Blackboard website in the FOR PRACTICE section. Please take it as soon as possible and if you score poorly, 15 or less correct out of 20, then you should consider withdrawing from ECO 211 and take it later. If you are required to take MTH 060, or MTH 082 and have not yet done so, do not take this economics course.

BLACKBOARD, WEBSITES, E-MAIL

BLACKBOARD WEBPAGE
http://harper.blackboard.com/

Students in sections -W01, -W02, and -W03 will use the same Blackboard site: "ECO211-W01 W02, W03- MICROECONOMICS (Summer 2018)".

Blackboard Instructions:

All students must log-in to our Blackboard website, study the syllabus, and take the required 5-point, online, "Orientation Quiz". The orientation quiz may be taken as many times as necessary and only the highest score will be counted.

  • Always use the Google Chrome browser when using Blackboard (download for free at: Google Chrome)
  • Go to http://harper.blackboard.com
  • Follow the instructions to "log-in". (If you need help see the Student Service Desk link below the Login button.).
  • You should see your course Blackboard site in the "My Courses" box. If you do not please e-mail the instructor: mhealy@harpercollege.edu 

The "CHAPTERS - BEGIN HERE" link on our Blackboard site will give you access to EVERYTHING that you should be doing for this class. For each chapter you will find:

DISCUSSION BOARD

E-MAIL

I will be sending you emails several times throughout the semester. You must check your Harper G-Mail account periodically. Most students have their Harper e-mail automatically forwarded to their regular e-mail account (see below) so they only have one account to check. Whatever you do, CHECK YOUR HARPER EMAIL!

Some of the emails that I will send can also be found on our Blackboard class site. See the FOR STUDYING section on the menu bar and click on UNIT EMAILS.

Option to Forward Mail from your Harper E-mail Account

You should always use your Harper email account when e-mailing your instructor. All e-mails from harper will be sent to your Harper e-mail account. If you do not check your Harper e-mail account often, you can find instructions on how to forward e-mail from that account to one you check frequently by logging in to the Harper Student Portal and clicking on the "My Harper E-Mail" tab. All correspondence in this class will be sent to your Harper e-mail account.

When e-mailing your instructor always put "ECO 211", your section number, and a message in the subject line. Please use proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

ONLINE ORIENTATION

There is an ONLINE ORIENTATION QUIZ for this course. The orientation quiz is worth 5 points and you can take it as many times as is necessary. Only the highest score will be included in the gradebook. The orientation quiz will cover information found in the course syllabus and on the course Blackboard site.

For your online orientation: read this syllabus, review the course Blackboard site, and take the ORIENTATION QUIZ on Blackboard.

For your online orientation: (1) read this syllabus, (2) review the course Blackboard site, and (3) take the ORIENTATION QUIZ on Blackboard

COURSE STRUCTURE

LESSONS

The entire course is divided into 26 lessons. Some chapters are divided into a few lessons (like chapter 3: lessons 3a, 3b, 3c) and other chapters have only one lesson (like chapter 6: lesson 6a).

On the Blackboard LESSONS link, or on the MICWEBAPP, you will find the following for each chapter. This is where you must begin your studying and review what you have studied.

More information on the "Assignments: Readings" and the "Assignments: Video Lectures":

PRACTICE EXERCISES

To do well you need to practice doing problems. Many are available to you but where should you begin?

I recommend that you begin with:

Then, do other exercises that can be found on Blackboard in the FOR PRACTICE section:

COURSE MATERIALS

BRIEF LIST:

REQUIRED:

 

TEXTBOOK: Microeconomics, by McConnell, Brue, and Flynn, 19th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2011
Just the textbook. No textbook access codes. No "Connect". NOTE: be sure to get the 19th edition even though there is a 20th edition available

REQUIRED:

 

VIDEO LECTURES: Tomlinson Videos on ThinkWell

BUYING the Tomlinson Videos on ThinkWell (one-year access, used in Mr. Healy's MICROeconomics and MACROeconomics classes)

  • Go to: http://www.thinkwell.com
  • Click on "Register" in the upper right corner
  • In the "Classroom and Distance Learning" area use the pull-down menu to select your state: "Illinois"
  • Use the pull-down menu to select your school: "Harper College"
  • Use the pull-down menu to select your class.
  • Click on
  • Then click on Checkout to purchase. The price is $49 (one-year access, used in Mr. Healy's MICROeconomics and MACROeconomics classes)
  • Follow the instructions to enter the required fields.
  • Next time you go to Thinkwell.com click on the "Sign In" button to enter your username and Password.

USING the Tomlinson Videos on Thinkwell:

  • VIDEO LOGIN is a link to sign into the Tomlinson video lectures that you must purchase online. Assigned video lectures are listed on the LESSONS page or the MicWebApp with a numbering system that looks like: 1.1.1, 1.1-2, 2.1.1, etc.
  • Once you log in to the Thinkwell class site click on the "Chapter Checklist" link for a list of the videos by their number.
  • Note that each video can be watched FULL SCREEN.
  • Also, for each video you will have access to a "Thinkwell Excercise" of from six to fifteen multiple choice review questions, as well as Video Transcripts. The exercises are quite useful.
  • Finally, you will want to have the VIDEO NOTES handy when you are watching the videos

REQUIRED:

 

The Yellow Pages are packets of worksheets. They are called "Yellow Pages" because in my face-to-face classes they are printed on yellow paper. You will not get points for doing them, but you will find them very useful while you prepare for the quizzes and exams.

The Yellow Pages available on our Blackboard site. The ANSWERS to all Yellow Pages can also be found on our Blackboard site.

USEFUL:

 

MIC WEB APP:

The MicWebApp has all of the information found on our LESSONS page.

How to put an icon to the app on the homescreen of your mobile device:

  • On your cell phone or tablet go to the MicWebApp home page (http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/eco211f/micwebapp/micwebapp.htm).
  • Android: Launch Chrome for Android and open the website or web page you want to pin to your home screen. Tap the menu button and tap Add to homescreen. You’ll be able to enter a name for the shortcut and then Chrome will add it to your home screen.
  • iPhone, iPad, & iPod Touch: Launch the Safari browser on Apple’s iOS and navigate to the website or web page you want to add to your home screen. Tap the Share button on the browser’s toolbar — that’s the rectangle with an arrow pointing upward. It’s on the bar at the top of the screen on an iPad, and on the bar at the bottom of the screen on an iPhone or iPod Touch. Tap the Add to Home Screen icon in the Share menu.

The app is not designed to replace your textbook, computer, or paper and pencil. To learn the class material you will have to read the textbook, watch the Tomlinson video lectures, and DO PROBLEMS. When doing problems you will need to use pencil and paper.

The app is designed to allow you to to do a quick review after you have studied the material.

The app is organized according our twenty-six lessons. For each lesson you will usually find a quick introduction, an interesting topic, the reading and video assignments, key term flashcards, a review "WebQuiz", key graphs, key problems, key formulas, and YouTube review videos.

Be sure to put an icon to the app on your mobile devices !!!

GRADING AND EXAMS

The final grade for the class will be awarded according to the following point system. Changes may be made to this grading policy. All changes will be posted on the class Blackboard page and an email will be sent to all students.

ACTIVITY

INFORMATION

POINTS

1 orientation quiz

5 points, must be taken online at: http://harper.blackboard.com/

5 points

16 Required Activities

2 points each. The Required Activities are online (Blackboard) chapter review quizzes of about 20 questions - usually multiple choice. They can be retaken as many times as you wish and only the highest score will be included in the final grade.

32 points

5 online quizzes

10 multiple choice questions, 1/2 point each each

25 points

Comprehensive Unit Exams

Unit 1: 40 points
Unit 2: 45 points
Unit 3: 50 points

135 points

Comprehensive Final Exam

80 multiple choice questions, COMPREHENSIVE

80 points

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TOTAL: 277 POINTS

EXTRA CREDIT: Each of the three unit exams will also have an extra credit essay question worth 3 points. For more information see the EXTRACREDIT link on Blackboard.
LETTER GRADES will be awarded as follows: 100-90%=A, 89-80%=B, 79-70%=C, 69-50%=D, below 50%=F.
Letter grades may be "curved" down a little. Our goal is for students with similar scores get similar grades. So scores are ranked from highest score to lowest and I look for gaps. So, if there are students at 91%, 90%, and 89%, but then the next student is at 85%, I will move the A grade down to 89%.

ONLINE ORIENTATION

There is an ONLINE ORIENTATION QUIZ for this course. The orientation quiz is worth 5 points and you can take it as many times as is necessary. Only the highest score will be included in the gradebook. The orientation quiz will cover information found in the course syllabus and on the course Blackboard site.

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES

For each chapter you will need to complete the online "Required Activity" (Note: there are two each for chapters 1 and 11). These can be found on Blackboard under the "REQUIRED ACTIVITIES" link. The required activities are worth two points each. You can do them as many times as you wish and only the highest score will be recorded. Most Required Activities are twenty multiple choice questions. Every time you open a Required Activity, even if you do not answer a single question, you must click on the SUBMIT button before you close the page.

Click on "SAVE and SUBMIT" EVERY TIME, even if you haven't finished all of the questions.

QUIZZES

The five quizzes are online at our Blackboard site and they will be taken at home via the internet using your normal browser (Chrome or Firefox). They consist of 10 multiple choice questions each and will be worth 5 points per quiz. They can be attempted ONLY ONCE (i.e. you must finish the 10 questions the first time you access them), but there is no time limit.

STUDY: Before you take a quiz: (1) read the chapter reading assignments and take notes, (2) watch the VIDEO LECTURES and study the VIDEO NOTES, (3) do the YELLOW PAGES, and check your ANSWERS, (4) check the chapter KEY TERM FLASHCARDS and KEY PROBLEMS on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP, (5) do the Required Activities, (6) see the WEB QUIZZES and (7) do as many of the PRACTICE EXERCISES as needed to learn the material.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS

There will be three unit exams and one final exam. All exams are comprehensive.
  • The unit 1 exam will consist of 40 multiple choice questions and a three point extra credit essay question.
  • The exam for unit 2 will have 45 multiple choice questions (40 from unit 2 and 5 from unit 1) and a three point extra credit question.
  • The exam for unit 3 will have 50 multiple choice questions (40 from unit 3 and 5 each from units 1 and 2) and a three point extra credit essay question.
  • The comprehensive final exam is 80 multiple choice questions with NO extra credit. It will cover all units, 1 through 4.

The exams are NOT open book, NOT open notes, and you can NOT use a sheet of notes or formulas. You can use only a basic, simple calculator and 2 sheets of blank paper..

Exams may be taken at home using Respondus Lockdown Browser software with a Webcam, or at the Harper Assessment Center.

Taking Exams at Home Using Respondus Lockdown Browser with a Webcam
You have the option to take the exams at home using LockDown Browser software and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature. A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

Then download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=311332609

IF YOU ARE TAKING THE EXAM FROM HOME:

  • You will need to download and install LockDown Browser and use a webcam.
  • You will have to close all programs on your computer
  • Then you will OPEN LockDown Browser and access Blackboard through this program to take the exam. (NOT Chrome, NOT Firefox, NOT Internet Explorer, but Lockdown Brower will be used to open Blackboard.)

To ensure LockDown Browser and the webcam are set up properly, do the following:

  • Start LockDown Browser, log into Blackboard, and select this course.
  • Locate and select the Help Center button on the LockDown Browser toolbar.
  • Run the Webcam Check and, if necessary, resolve any issues.
  • Run the System & Network Check. If a problem is indicated, see if a solution is provided in the Knowledge Base. Troubleshooting information can also be emailed to our institution's help desk.
  • Exit the Help Center and locate the practice quiz named "Lockdown Browser Practice Quiz" found in the "EXAMS" section on our Blackboard site.
  • Upon completing and submitting the practice quiz, exit LockDown Browser.

When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

  • Ensure you're in a location where you won't be interrupted
  • Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers)
  • Clear your desk of all external materials not permitted — books, papers, other devices, except for a pen or pencil, simple calculator, and two pieces of blank scratch paper
  • Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
  • If the computer or networking environment is different than what was tested above, repeat the Webcam and System checks prior to starting the test

To produce a good webcam video, do the following:

  • Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims
  • Ensure your computer or tablet is on a firm surface (a desk or table) — not on your lap, a bed, or other surface that might move
  • If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete
  • Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window

Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

Academic honesty is very important in this class, especially since students may take the exams at home.

Treat the exam as though you were coming to a physical location for a proctored test. Students should dress and act appropriately, with the expectation that the videos will be viewed by their instructor. Students should not use cell phones or other electronic devices, other than a single-function calculator and two pieces of blank scratch paper. If the webcam photo and environment check do not appear clear, please stop the exam and contact your instructor. Use of prohibited devices and/or tampering with the webcam will be grounds for dismissal (student will receive a zero on the exam and/or failure from the course.)

See Harper College’s Academic Honesty Policy

Taking Exams at the Harper Assessment Center

The three unit exams and the final exam can also be taken on the Harper campus in the Assessment Center, Student and Administration Center, room A-148, phone 847-925-6541 [see: Assessment Center hours]. To take the exams you simply go to the testing center with a picture ID and ask for the appropriate exam for ECO 211.

You will take the exam through our Blackboard site. You will need to log in to our Blackboard site to take the exams on-campus.

WHAT YOU NEED: When going to the Testing Center be prepared to give the staff the following information:

  • Picture ID
  • Course number: ECO 211
  • Instructor name: Mark Healy
  • Test number
  • Whether the test is the first attempt or a retake
  • Be prepared to log on to our Blackboard site
  • A basic, simple calculator (or borrow one from the testing center staff)
  • two pieces of blank scratch paper (must be turned in to the testing center staff after the exam)

Exam Extra Credit Questions

After each of the three unit exams (including the retake exams) will be a three point extra credit short answer question. For descriptions of these three questions see the EXTRA CREDIT link on Blackboard in the FOR POINTS section of the menu.

To access the extra credit short answer question:

  • Finish the multiple choice questions and click on the SUBMIT button,
  • Close the Lockdown Browser,
  • Open a web browser, Google Chrome is recommended, and open Blackboard
  • Then click on the "EXAMS" link on the Blackboard menu and there will be a link for "Exam Extra Credit".
  • Click on that link, type your answer in the space provided, and click SUBMIT.
  • After the extra credit is graded you can see your answer and the correct answer by clicking on your SCORE in the Blackboard gradebook: MY GRADES. Be sure to check the correct answer before taking an exam retake. Note: the retake exams (see below) will have a similar, but different, question.

Comprehensive Retake Exams

One optional "retake" exam (same chapters, different questions) is available for each of the three unit exams. There is no retake exam for the final. If you take a retake, only the higher score will be included in your total score. Retake exams also have an extra credit essay question.

Please do not take the retake on the same day that you took the exam. If you need to retake an exam then you need to study more first. Retake exams can be taken at any time during the semester, but please try to have them done before final exams week. Also, check your extra credit answer (see above) before taking the retake.

Before you take a retake exam: (1) read the chapter reading assignments and take notes, (2) watch the VIDEOS and study the VIDEO NOTES, (3) do the YELLOW PAGES, (4) check the chapter "Outcomes/Must Know" on our LESSONS page, or MICWEBAPP (5) do the Required Activities, (6) see the WEB QUIZZES link on Blackboard, and (7) do as many of the PRACTICE EXERCISES as needed to learn the material.

Exam Make-Up Policy / Exam Schedule

Students should take the exams according to the class "SCHEDULE", but they can be taken early or late (without penalty). NOTE: Students who get behind often do poorly. Try to stay on schedule, or better yet, get ahead. No exam, quiz, or any other assignment can be taken after the final exam date.

STUDY: Before you take an exam:

  • read the chapter reading assignments on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP and take notes,
  • watch the VIDEO LECTURES and study the VIDEO NOTES,
  • do the YELLOW PAGES and check your answers (answers are on Blackboard),
  • check the lesson "Outcomes - What you should learn", "Key Terms Flashcards", and other information on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP,
  • watch the KEY PROBLEMS videos found on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP,
  • do the Required Activities,
  • do as many problems as needed to learn the material. For problems see the following on Blackboard
    • WEB QUIZZES
    • PRE-QUIZZES (Pre-Quizzes are used in my on-campus classes. I offer them to my online students for practice only - no points.)
    • CLICKER QUIZZES (Clicker Quizzes are used in my on-campus classes. I offer them to my online students for practice only - no points.)
    • PRACTICE EXERCISES
    • REVIEW QUIZZES

SCHEDULE

ECO 211-W01 and -W02
(8-week early 05/21-07/13 )

  • Unit 1 = 2 weeks
  • Unit 2 = 2 weeks
  • Unit 3 = 2 weeks
  • Unit 4 = 2 weeks

ECO 211-W03
(8-week, late, 6/4-7/27)

  • Unit 1 = 2 weeks
  • Unit 2 = 2 weeks
  • Unit 3 = 2 weeks
  • Unit 4 = 2 weeks
  • Orientation Quiz: Take the 5-point Orientation Quiz at: http://harper.blackboard.com/ before Friday, 5/25
  • Unit 1 Exam: on, or before, Friday, 6/1
    • Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5
    • Required Activities, Quizzes 1 and 2, and Exam 1
  • Unit 2 Exam: on, or before, Friday, 6/15
    • Chapters 4, 6, and 7,
    • Required Activities, Quizzes 3 and 4, and Exam 2
  • Unit 3 Exam: on, or before, Friday, 6/29
    • Chapters 8, 9, 10, 18 and 11
    • Required Activities, Quiz 5, Exam 3
  • Last day to withdraw from the course: Monday, 7/2
  • Unit 4 is part of the final exam (see below)
    • Chapters 12, 13, 20 and 22
    • Required Activities
  • The Comprehensive Final Exam must by completed on, or before, Friday, 7/13
  • Orientation Quiz: Take the 5-point Orientation Quiz at: http://harper.blackboard.com/ before Friday, 6/8
  • Unit 1 Exam: on, or before, Friday, 6/15
    • Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5
    • Required Activities, Quizzes 1 and 2, and Exam 1
  • Unit 2 Exam: on, or before, Friday, 6/29
    • Chapters 4, 6, and 7,
    • Required Activities, Quizzes 3 and 4, and Exam 2
  • Unit 3 Exam: on, or before, Friday, 7/13
    • Chapters 8, 9, 10, 18 and 11
    • Required Activities, Quiz 5, Exam 3
  • Last day to withdraw from the course: Monday, 7/16
  • Unit 4 is part of the final exam (see below)
    • Chapters 12, 13, 20 and 22
    • Required Activities
  • The Comprehensive Final Exam must by completed on, or before, Friday, 7/27

 

BRIEF COURSE OUTLINE / OFFICIAL STUDENT OUTCOMES

IMPORTANT: We may not read the whole chapter, or a "chapter" may include pages from other chapters, so always check the LESSONS page or the MICWEBAPP before reading.

BRIEF COURSE OUTLINE

Unit 1: Markets are Efficient, Except . . . Intro to Microeconomics

1a - The Class and the Math
1b - The 5Es of Economics
1c - Making Choices: Scarcity and Budget Lines
1d - Making Choices: Production Possibilities and Benefit-Cost Analysis
2a - Market Economies and Trade
3a - Demand
3b - Supply
3c - Market Equilibrium and Efficiency
5a - Gov't Interference in Markets and Market Failure (Negative Externalities)
5b - Market Failure Con't: Positive Externalities and Public Goods

UNIT 2: Elasticity, Consumer Choice, and Costs

4a - Price Elasticity of Demand and Tax Incidence
4b - Other Types of Elasticity
6a - Consumer Decisions: Utility Maximization
7a - Econ. Profit and the Production Function
7b - Production Costs in the Short Run
7c - Production Costs in the Long Run

Unit 3: Are Businesses Efficient? Product Markets and Efficiency

8/9a - Pure Competition: Characteristics and Short Run Equilibrium
8/9b - Pure Competition: Long Run Equilibrium and Efficiency
10a - Monopoly: Characteristics and Short Run Equilibrium
10b - Monopoly: Long run Equilibrium, Price Discrimination, and Regulation
11a - Monopolistic Competition: Are Businesses Efficient?
11b - Oligopoly: Are Businesses Efficient?

Unit 4: Labor and Efficiency: Resource Markets, Inequality, and Immigration

12a - Demand For Resources
13a - Wage Determination: Labor Markets
20a - Income Inequality and Discrimination
22a - Immigration

NOTE: This outline may be changed! Any changes will be announced via our Blackboard site.

OFFICIAL STUDENT OUTCOMES

The student should:

  1. demonstrate a good understanding of the methods and principles of microeconomic theory including opportunity costs, gains from exchange, and apply benefit-cost analysis (marginal analysis) to economic issues.
  2. demonstrate the ability to use graphical models.
  3. show mastery of the theories of demand, supply, consumption, production and cost, and market structures.
  4. explain how markets work and how market prices are determined in different market structures.
  5. assess the impact of imperfect information, externalities, and public goods on efficiency and welfare, and evaluate possible public policy remedies.
  6. apply quantitative reasoning to understand and solve problems.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

LIBRARY RESERVE

A few textbooks have been placed on reserve in the library in case you leave yours at Grandma's house. Some can be checked out from the circulation desk for two days at a time and one is for in-library use only.

HOW TO PASS ECONOMICS

This is a difficult course! There is an old rule of thumb concerning studying for college courses: on average during a regular 16 week semester, students should attend class 3 hours a week and they should study outside of class TWO hours for every ONE hour of class. Therefore for a regular semester 16-week three-credit-hour online class this means that you should plan for NINE hours a week (three hours of "class" PLUS 2 x 3 hours of studying). This is an average, which means some courses require more study time and some less. You may find that economics requires MORE.

For class sections of fewer than 16 weeks you will need to also study more hours each week. The 12-week sections should study about 14 hours per week. The 8-week sections should study about 18 hours per week.

The following suggestions should help you learn economics:

  1. READ THE BOOK! Read the assigned reading in the textbook and online. Passive reading of the textbook is not very helpful. Take notes. Read with a pen in your hand and a notebook on which to list, repeat, copy, calculate, etc. ALSO, pay close attention to the TABLES and GRAPHS. THEY ARE IMPORTANT. NOTE: we may not read all pages of a chapter or a "Chapter" may incluyde pages from other places in the textbook. Always see the LESSONS link or MICWEBAPP before reading.
  2. WATCH THE VIDEO LECTURES! Watch the assigned online videos. This is like attending class for a face-to-face course. "VIDEO NOTES" from your instructor are available on our Blackboard site. Students have said that they are helpful. Also, do the review quizzes (THINKWELL EXERCISES) that are available for most of the Tomlinson Videos on Thinkwell. Once you log in to the Thinkwell class site click on the "Chapter Checklist" link for a list of the videos by their number. You will find the numbers of the assigned videos on our LESSONS link or MICWEBAPP.
  3. DO PROBLEMS. If you don't do the problems you will do poorly on the quizzes and exams. Many are available on our Blackboard site.
    • Begin with the REQUIRED ACTIVITIES (since you earn points for doing them) .
    • Do the YELLOW PAGES. These are important. They will help you do better on the exams. The answers are available on Blackboard. If you do not understand a problem you can get help on our Discussion Board.
    • Watch the KEY PROBLEM videos found on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP
    • Do the WEB QUIZZES for each lesson found on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP
    • Then, DO MORE PROBLEMS. For more problems see the following:
  4. GET HELP
    • Ask questions on the Blackboard Discussion Board
    • Call or email the instructor for assistance. This should be done EARLY in the semester.
    • Free tutoring is available at the Harper College Tutoring Center
    • You may also want to make use of SUCCESS SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AT HARPER COLLEGE (see below).
  5. GET AHEAD - Or at least keep up. It is easy to get behind. To get a good grade you will have to devote a significant amount of time to studying economics. If you get behind there simply will not be enough time. Many students get an "F" grade in online courses because they get behind. Follow the SCHEDULE or GET AHEAD!
  6. APPLY the concepts learned in class to the "real world" including issues in the news and aspects of your personal life. The "Introduction", "Something Interesting", and Outcomes" sections found on our LESSONS page or MICWEBAPP is a good place to start.

LEARN TO STUDY SMARTER: SUCCESS SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AT HARPER COLLEGE

Make the most of your college experience this fall by visiting Success Services for Students. Be aware of your academic needs and work to effectively change behaviors to improve academic success. Schedule an appointment for one of the following free sessions: Study Skills, Test Taking Tips, Time Management, Memory, Motivation, Test Anxiety, Reading Strategies, Math Strategies, Note Taking Skills, Concentration, Learning Styles, Test Performance Analysis, Accounting Tips, Economics Tips, Preparing for Finals, and Online Study Tips.

Stop by F-110, call 847.925.6715 or email success@harpercollege.edu to schedule an appointment.

Now, through Blackboard Collaborate, we also offer our sessions ONLINE. (Except the Test Performance Analysis). Even if you're not on campus, you can schedule an appointment to meet with a Learning Specialist online and receive the same valuable information! Call or stop in soon!


ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT / ACCESS AND DISABILITY SERVICES

Your success in this class is important to me. If you have a disability (learning, physical, psychological or other) and may require some accommodation or modification in procedures, class activity, instruction, requirements, etc. please contact me early in the semester so we can refer you to ADS who will discuss and arrange for reasonable accommodations. The Access and Disability Services department is in the Building I, I-103, 847.925.6266 or TTY (847) 397-7600

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

William Rainey Harper College provides equal opportunity in education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.

STUDENT E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS

All notifications related to student registration or other business activities are sent to students via a G-mail account that is assigned to students upon registration. Students access the G-mail account via an icon in the student portal (where you registered for classes). Please check this e-mail frequently.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

Harper College is strongly committed to the promotion of high ethical standards. Such standards can best be accomplished in an environment where honesty and integrity are practiced. For this reason the College strongly condemns academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism or other improper appropriation of another's work as one's own and falsifying records to advance one's academic standing.

Cheating includes but is not limited to copying answers, stealing and/or disseminating tests or answer keys, using someone else's data in preparation of reports or assignments, and assisting others in such practices.

Plagiarism involves the presentation of another person's words, ideas, or work as one's own. It includes but is not limited to copying any material (written or non-written) without proper acknowledgment of its source, and paraphrasing another's work or ideas without proper acknowledgment.

Falsifying records includes but is not limited to falsifying or improperly altering college records and documents, or knowingly supplying false or misleading information to others (e.g., the College, other educational institutions, or prospective employers).

Any form of academic dishonesty as defined by the faculty member or department is a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures. Discipline for academic dishonesty involving a specific course shall be first determined by the instructor of the course and may include failure of the specific assignment, project or test, or failure of the course. The student may appeal the instructor's decision in accordance with the College's Student Academic Complaint Procedures. In cases of academic dishonesty the faculty assigned grade supersedes a student-initiated withdrawal. In cases where disciplinary measures beyond course failure may be deemed appropriate by the instructor, or dishonesty that is not related to a specific course, the student may be disciplined in accordance with the Student Conduct Policy with the appropriate vice president involved in the decision.