1 of 4 Syllabus for Spring 2004 Economics 98 (1 unit, P/NP); TuTh 10-11A, 2038 VLSB Adjunct for Economics 1, Professor Train Sponsors: Faculty- Professor Christina Romer; Department of Economics; Unit- Student Learning Center Instructor: William Chiu Office: 103 Chavez Center Office Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays @ 11-Noon Contact: [email protected] Web site: http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~chiu/Econ98 Overview: Economics 98 is an adjunct course intended to be taken in conjunction with the Economics 1 course. Economics 98 is not a replacement for lecture and your discussion section. In contrast to your GSI led section, we will spend a considerable amount of time talking about study strategies, reading strategies, graphing techniques, and test-taking tips. Economics incorporates graphs, equations, and written essays as answers to questions. We will address these methods in Economics 98. We will also focus on the Economics 1 course content, mainly through concrete examples, which you will work through individually and in groups. You are expected to present your work in front of the class. Your grade in this course is P/NP for one academic unit. Please refer to the grading policy. Attendance is mandatory; if you know that you will miss more than three classes then DO NOT ENROLL for credit. You will not pass (NP) the course if you miss more than 3 classes. The best means of study in economics is working on practice problems. The worksheets and weekly quizzes are for your benefit. I am not looking for a perfect answer, but just evidence that you are trying and that you want to learn how to apply the concepts. I want to see effort, and I will reward improvement. If you already know all the solutions then the adjunct is not the course for you. We will be spending a considerable amount of time on solutions to basic concepts and problem solving. I hope we accomplish the following learning objectives: (1) Utilize study strategies; (2) Debate about the interaction between politics and economics; (3) Change your current perspective on economics; (4) Develop economics discourse. The final paper will assess these learning objectives. Grading Policy (P/NP): You must obtain at least 70% of the possible points to pass this course and attempt all of the components. I will reward improvement. Details for each of the grading criteria are attached. Please arrive promptly to the adjunct since each day will be packed with activities. Criteria Percent Participation 30% Weekly Quizzes 15% Worksheets 15% Attendance 20% Final Paper 20%2 of 4 Participation and Worksheets: You should be prepared and involved in every adjunct meeting. You will be expected to participate in class discussions and answer group worksheets. That means you should expect to work in groups to solve problems or analyze current events at least once a week. You will present your solutions or analysis to the entire adjunct. You should also expect to be called on frequently to answer questions and/or share solutions and techniques that you find helpful in your studies. Quizzes: You will be quizzed at least once a week. The quiz generally consists of a few questions which should take 15 minutes, and you will be expected to present your answers to the entire adjunct. I am not looking for perfect answers, but I want to see effort and techniques that you are learning. You are allowed to call on other students for assistance in your presentations. I encourage collaborative learning. Attendance: You will not pass (NP) the course if you miss more than 3 classes. Final Paper: I want written evidence that you have learned something from this adjunct. I expect a 1-3 page essay that answers at least two of the following questions: 1. What study strategies did I learn? 2. What did I learn about politics and economics? 3. How has my view of economics changed? 4. Should governments regulate markets? (Should markets regulate governments?) You may substitute the final paper with a 5-minute presentation about a news article from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Economist, or Financial Times. You must incorporate one of the study strategies from the adjunct in your presentation. You must also contact the instructor for approval before April 6, 2004. The final paper is due Tuesday, April 13, 2004. EVALUATIONS: I take evaluations about Economics 98 seriously, and try to incorporate any suggestion you may have for the adjunct. If I do not know what is working and what is not working, then I cannot improve on future meetings and adjuncts. There will be three evaluations during the semester: two midterm evaluations and a final evaluation. Please do NOT wait until the evaluations if you have any suggestions. Personal: My name is William Chiu, and I am a third year student majoring in Political Economy of Industrial Societies. I have taken a number of economics courses, and I am interested in the interaction between economics and the nation-state. I have taken introductory economics (Econ 1), microeconomic analysis (Econ 100A), macroeconomic analysis (Econ 100B), economic demography (Econ 175), and classical political economy (PEIS 100). I have tutored economics since spring 2003. More importantly, I have a strong background in high school and collegiate-level debate. I welcome occasional debates about economic issues, policies, and theories. I encourage you to visit me in my office hours to talk about this course, future courses, current issues, or school in general.3 of 4 Adjunct Outline Week One Tuesday, Jan 20 The Paper Chase Thursday, Jan 22 Adjunct enrollment requirements; Syllabus, Course Outline, and Grading Criteria; Reading the Textbook Tips Week Two Tuesday, Jan 27 Anti-procrastination Tips; Intro to Basic Economic Ideas; Math Review Handout; QUIZ 1: Math Thursday, Jan 29 Graphing Strategies; Demand and Supply Worksheet and Group Presentations Week Three Tuesday, Feb 3 Note-taking strategies; Shifts in Demand and Supply; QUIZ 2: Demand & Supply Thursday, Feb 5 Time Management; Consumer Choice Worksheet and Group Presentations Week Four Tuesday, Feb 10 Reading your Notes; Costs of Production Worksheet and Group Presentations; QUIZ 3: Consumer Choice Thursday, Feb 12 Study Strategies; Perfect Competition Worksheet and Group Presentations; QUIZ 4: Costs of Production Week Five Tuesday, Feb 17 Stress-Management; Summary 1 Worksheet and Group Presentations
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