Are you interested in Economics as a possible major or
minor?
Click here for
information.
Semester: Spring 2012
Course: Economics 103, Introduction to Political Economy (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Stonebraker
Office: 401 Thurmond
Office phone: 323-2488
E-mail address: stonebrakerr@winthrop.edu
Office hours: M 3:30 - 4:30
p.m., T 9 - 11 a.m., W 1 - 2 p.m., R 9 - 11 a.m. and 3:30 - 5 p.m.,
F 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (no appointment needed)
Other times are available by appointment.
Course objective:
Students completing this course should gain a general working knowledge of how a market-based economy allocates resources and should learn to recognize and analyze the economic concepts underlying a wide variety of contemporary social, political, economic and personal issues. The course is designed for non-business majors. In addition, as a General Education Social Science, this introductory course will assist students to better analyze and understand human behavior. It involves the following General Education goals:
To acquire and appreciate quantitative skills: Quantitative data and relationships are an integral part of any course in economics. Quantitative data and relationships are an integral part of any course in economics. Students will learn how to interpret and analyze such quantitative measures as Gross Domestic Product, price indexes, unemployment rates and demand elasticities.
Understand the nature of social and cultural conflict and methods of resolution: Social and cultural conflict often originates with the disparate goals of consumers and producers, of competing producers, and of competing interest groups. Students will learn to appreciate how an efficient economic system can resolve these conflicts in a way that maximizes overall social value.
1. Attend every class. In addition to the obvious negative impact on your own learning, your absences can damage your classmates as well. Students that skip classes, ask questions that were answered last week, and then mooch missed notes and material from conscientious classmates who are trying to pay attention impede the learning of others and slow the pace at which material can be covered.
2. Come to class on time and stay until its conclusion. Late arrivals and early departures can be disruptive and inconsiderate of others. However I recognize that well-meaning students must occasionally be late or leave early. If you do arrive after the class has begun, please enter the rear door and sit in the back row so as to minimize the distraction for others. Similarly, if you must leave early, please notify me in advance and sit near the back door so that you can leave unobtrusively.
3. Turn off and put away all cell phones and other media devices. I expect never to see these in class. That means no listening to iPods or other media devices, and no texting or checking messages under the desk where you think I will not see them.
4. Pay attention and participate. While in class you should be concentrating on class. That means no idle conversations with those around you, no attempts to complete work or study for other classes, and no other extraneous activities. Such behavior distracts others and negatively impacts on the learning environment.
To access individual readings, just click on the listed blue titles (the files will appear as HTML web pages). If you print the readings, it may be convenient to print several at one time. For a combined copy of all the readings for the first exam as a .PDF (about 47 pages), click here. For a .PDF file of the readings for the second exam (about 89 pages), click here, and for a .PDF file of the readings for the final exam (about 57 pages), click here.
EXAM #1: Approximately Monday, February 13
Exam #3: FINAL EXAM
I reserve the right to modify this syllabus with cause if unexpected circumstances occur.