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ECN 211 MACROECONOMICS
  Winter Intersession
2008/9 Syllabus
Mesa Community College

Instructor:  Greg Pratt
gpratt@mail.mc.maricopa.edu
Office:  SC061 in Social Cultural Sciences Building
Office hours: contact via e mail.

Welcome to ECN 211 Principles of Macroeconomics at MCC.  This syllabus will provide you with detailed information on our course.  You will find directions on my homepage on the directions link to register for our WebTutor course site.

Important note:  the is no make up for missed quizzes, assignments, exams or activities.  Be certain you follow the directions to print out the due dates and times for these activities from your WebTutor web site.  Also note that, due times are stated in EST so subtract 3 hours for Arizona due time.  All assignments and quizzes are due at 8pm on the date indicated.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Student will define and apply supply and demand to current economic issues.
  2. Student will define and apply fiscal and monetary policy to current issues of Inflation and Unemployment and Gross Domestic Product.
  3. Student will distinguish between positive and normative economics.
  4. Student will become proficient with current computer technology applications economics study
MCCCD Official Course Competencies
http://www.maricopa.edu/curriculum/D-L/072ecn211.html
CLASS ACTIVITIES:  Important note-these materials must be purchased new from the MCC bookstore as each access (WebTutor Advantage and Aplia) requires a unique access code included with the bundle.
  1. Text: Macroeconomics  by Greg Mankiw.  Please note that this is a custom edition of the book and the course packet will be bundled an access card - see below.  This packet is only available at the MCC bookstore and must be purchased new.
  2. On line class materials-WebTutor advantage (Access card accompanies your textbook).
  3. Use of MCC mail.  Please note that class e mails will only be sent to your MCC e mail account.  Plan to check this account daily.
Note:  I will respond to your e mail questions or comments within 2 business days and usually much sooner.
EVALUATION AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 
A        90-100%  Discussions
  200 points
B        80-89  Quizzes (18 at 10 points each and the final quiz worth 20 points)   200 points
C        70-79  Assignments
  200 points
D        60-69 Writing assignments
  200 points
F          0-59

Total
 800 points

Grading policy note:  This class is not graded on a curve, rather your grade is based upon the the grading policy above.  However, you will have 4 extra credit opportunities totaling up to 95 points.  Two of these opportunities are a pre test (up to 30 points) and a post test (up to 30 points).  The other 2 opportunities are a syllabus quiz that must be completed by the end of the 2nd day of class(up to 10 points) and a memo to future students(up to 25 points) similar to the one you read during the first week of class which will be described later in the course.  Please note that there is no make up for missed quizzes, assignments or exams so be certain that you print out the schedule of these events as directed.  Recall that due times are EST so subtract 3 hours for the final deadline in Arizona.

Pre and post test

You will take a pre and post test of macroeconomics.  The results of these 2 assessments will be extra credit, that is, your performance can only help you in this class and not hurt you.  This pre and post test is the Test of Understanding College Economics and is a nationally normed assessment.  Please do not be concerned if you are only able to answer a few items on the pre test.  If you were able to answer all of the items you would not need to take this class.  The pre and post test consists of 30 questions each and you will earn 1 point extra credit for each correct answer (up to a total of 60 extra credit points).  You will need to take the pre test prior to taking quiz 1 and the post test prior to taking the final exam.  These extra credit points will be added to your total score at the conclusion of the course.

Quizzes (200 points)

All of your quizzes will be taken online in WebTutor Advantage.  In order to access these quizzes  you will use the WebTutor Advantage Access card that accompanied your new course materials which you purchased new from the MCC bookstore.  Remember this is the only site that sells these materials.

Follow the directions you find on my homepage at

http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~gpratt/home_directions.html
 

You will be allowed 20 minutes for each of the quizzes.  Each quiz consists of 10 questions taken from the reading. You will be penalized 2 points for every 10 seconds you exceed the 20 minute time limit.  You may take each quiz 2 times (there is an 24 hour delay between your attempts so plan accordingly) and the high quiz score will be counted in your grade. 

Quizzes will correspond to the chapter under study.

Discussions (200 points)
The discussion board is your participation in the online class.  In order to earn credit you most post your original response by Wednesday at 8pm and your replies to your classmates by Sunday at 8pm.  The grading rubric for your discussion participation is below.  There will be 5 units of study in our class and each unit will include required discussions.  Click on the discussion board to view discussion topics.


Discussion Rubric

Discussion is an important and significant part of this online course.  While class discussion whether online or face to face, can be characterized by free flowing conversation, there are identifiable characteristics that distinguish exemplary contributions to class discussion from those of lesser quality.  The criteria found on the rubric below as illustrated by the corresponding examples, will be used to assess the quality of your initial postings and responses to the postings and comments of colleagues during class discussion.

Note: Initial postings are your comments based on the prompt. Responses to others are your replies to THEIR initial postings.


Definitions

Initial post refers to your response to the discussion topic or prompt posted by me.  It must be posted by Thursday at 8pm in order to earn credit. 

Reply refers to your responses to your classmates.  You must reply to at least 2 classmates and your participation on the discussion board must be on three separate days of each week to earn full.
CRITERIA 
PROFICIENT
Full Credit
PARTIALLY PROFICIENT
Half Credit
INCOMPLETE
Zero Credit
Initial posting
 Submitted by Thurs/8pm
 no partial credit given if submitted late
Demonstrates an understanding of the prompt

Displays an excellent understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Uses course materials and other information to support important points. 


Minimum length of 200 words.

 

 

Displays some understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Limited use of course materials and other information to support points. 


Post is between 200 words and 100 words.

Displays little understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Use of course materials and other information to support points is incoherent or missing entirely. 


Post is less than 100 words.
Replies to classmates
 Submitted by Sun/8pm no partial credit given if submitted late
Demonstrates an understanding of the comment under discussion

 

Displays an excellent understanding of the comment under discussion by...
...affirming statements and citing relvant material or,
...asking a new related question or,
...making an oppositional statement supported by personal experience or reading.


Replies to at least two classmates and two different days.

 Displays some understanding of the comment under discussion by...
..affirming statements and citing some information or,
...asking a new somewhat related question or,
...making an oppositional statement somewhat supported by personal experience reading. 


Either replies to less than 2 classmates or did not reply to classmates on at least 2 different days.
 Displays little understanding of the  comment under discussion as evidenced by...
...no affirming statements or references to relvant research or,
...asking no related questions or,
...making no oppositional statement supported by any personal experience or reading.

Replied to less than 2 classmates and did not reply on at least 2 different days.
The criteria below applies to your total postings - initial and replies.
Quality and Timeliness of Written Comments Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing facilitates communication. Participation occurs on more than 3 separate days of the week.  Written responses are largely free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing generally facilitates communication. 
Participation occurs on 3 separate days during the week.		 Written responses contain grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing does not facilitate communication.
Participation occurs on less than 3 days per week.



Assignments (200 points)
You will complete 4  assignments through the course of our class.  These assignments will be submitted to the assignment dropbox.  The assignments and directions can be found in the assignment dropbox.  Each assignment will be worth 50 points and is due on Sunday.  I recommend you  download the assignment at the beginning of the week and work on the assignment throughout the week.

IMPORTANT:  You will need to click on the assignment title to view the assignment directions and assignment.  In order to view your assignment-click on Assignment Dropbox, click on the title of the assignment, for example Assignment 1, and you will see the directions and an attachment with your assignment.  Click on this attachment to see the actual assignment.  The assignments are also listed in a link called Assignments.


Writing Activities(200 points)
You will complete 4 short writing assignments through the course of our class.  These assignments will be submitted to the assignment dropbox and will be no more than one page in length.  The assignment will be prepared in a word document use the MLA format (click here for MLA and click here for a sample of the way your assignment should look) and submitted to the assignment dropbox.  Each writing assignment will be worth 50 points and is due on Sunday.  I recommend you  download the writing assignment at the beginning of the week and work on the writing assignment throughout the week.


Each of these 4 writing assignments will summarize an assigned reading, define the economic principle that is highlighted by the reading and include both your analysis of this writing and your reaction.  To repeat, your written assignments will include:

1.  A summary
2.  Definition of the economic principle
3.  Your analysis and reaction

Check the Assignment Dropbox for due dates.

IMPORTANT:  You will need to click on the Writing Assignment title to view the assignment directions and assignment.  In order to view your assignment-click on Assignment Dropbox, click on the title of the assignment, for example Writing Assignment 1, and you will see the directions and an attachment with your assignment.  Click on this attachment to see the actual assignment.  The assignments are also listed in a link called Assignments.


Assignment and Writing Activity Rubric

The main point of assignments at this level of education is to improve your understanding and show an application of the course concepts.


Criteria Full Credit Partial Credit
Submission Assignment submitted on time
 No partial credit, either the assignment is on time or it is not.
Complete Assignment fully responds to the prompt and includes all required elements.
Assignment partially responds to the prompt or is missing some required elements.
Application of Course Concepts Assignment shows an application of the concepts from the current and previous modules.
 Assignment shows some application of course concepts from the current and previous modules.



 
Online Students
Instructor’s Availability: 
 

The best way to raise an issue or concern is to email me. I will respond within two business days and generally sooner. As this is an online class I will be available online only.

Even online, I don’t work 24/7 on this or any other project.  In general, I will be online daily for an hour or so (Monday through Thursday) in the late morning.  Friday is the day I have set aside to work primarily on this course.  I will usually be online starting mid-morning until early afternoon.  Thus if you send me a notice Friday night, I won’t necessarily see it until sometime Monday afternoon.

WebCTDescription:

Only registered students will be able to access the course homepage. You can access this course’s site through your My MCC  site.  If you are taking more than one course  there will be a separate listing for each class.  More information can be found on the Distance Education website for MCC (http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/other/distance/). Per the information found in the Distance Education Section, it is assumed that students have a good working knowledge of your computer and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and browser.  This class uses this technology but is not about teaching someone how to use a computer.

Once you are in the course site, there will be icons that link you to a areas.  Spend a few moments to ensure you understand what information is available under eacharea. 

In general, you should use the above areas as a way to gain information (by reading for comprehension).You can then use the icon on the tool bar as ways relating to actions (i.e. receive and submit assignments, discussion postings, email messages, grades)

Schedule

One of the advantages of an online distance class is more flexibility on when you choose to work. Think about your learning style and your productivity at different times. Note deadlines and plan in order to meet them.  Plan ahead. Please note that you may work ahead in the class, just be certain to participate in the discussion board activities and topics.

Problems?Confused? Overwhelmed?

If you are having any problems with the course or have any questions concerning the course, you are urged to contact or come see your instructor SOONER rather than LATER before something becomes past due.

There are few primary sources of concerns for students who want to succeed in an online class.  One has to do with actually understanding the material. As we don’t have the face-to-face contact of a classroom for interaction with the instructor and other students, it is important that you find an alternate method of having your questions addressed and your reasoning clarified.An online class, regardless of the links and visual appeal, still relies heavily on a student’s ability to read for comprehension.You must be able to understand and find a way to organize your thoughts and reflections from the reading into a coherent structure.

If this is your first on-line course, it's bound to be a bit alarming at the beginning. Don't be afraid to ask questions or admit you're having trouble with something. The sooner you communicate something going wrong, the more options we have for fixing it.  But some approaches work better than others for actually solving the source of frustration.Email me and also make some connection with your group members.

Keeping track of your assignments and pacing your workload is a tricky act in any class. Make use a calendar, note any bulletins send out by the instructor, and understand that a deadline is exactly that:a deadline.  Things can be done sooner and each module is available soon enough to allow you flexibility but expect you to be proactive.  Understand Murphy’s Law and all its corollaries (see the following websites for an explanation):

http://www.heretical.com/miscella/sodslaws.html

http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/stt/priv/murphy-c.htm

And here are a few suggestions that come from those experienced online instructors, as to ways students can avoid some common problems:

Note for deadlines: The MCC's server may be down occasionally for backup and maintenance. If you can't access the site frequently at a given time, try again in 20 minutes or so. As soon as I know what maintenance is scheduled for this semester, I will post an announcement in class.

Students are responsible for

  • Reading and following instructions and questioning me if you find an instruction you don't understand 
  • Visiting the on-line classroom four or five times a week IDEALLY. Realistically, set at least two or three times each week to go on and then add more as necessary for the assignment or to follow all the links. 
  • Notifying me ahead of time if you're going to be "absent" for three days or more in a row.
  • Posting or sending the required work and regularly commenting in discussion on other groups’ work 
  • Letting me know if you're having trouble with your hardware or software, with a course concept, or with the sense of isolation that is inevitable in an on-line course in a timely enough manner that I can help you address it.
  • Obtaining and maintaining access to the Internet
  • Coping with technology problems, including viruses, that involve your own machine or software
I expect you to write ethically.See the academic integrity policy below. Plagiarism is more than just forgetting to put quotes around someone else’s exact wording. Even if you paraphrase, you must give credit to the source.
I will be responsible for being accessible and responding within the time line given, maintaining the site and the calendar, returning comments and grades, and helping you to learn.
 
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

In accordance with the desire for integrity in our interactions, students in this class will be held fully responsible for the content and authorship of all academic work they submit. Such work includes examinations, reports, projects, journals, and website pages to name a few examples. If you are unsure whether a quotation or citing or piece of work violates the Code, please ask your instructor for clarification. The penalties for violating the Code are too severe to make cheating, even inadvertent cheating, worthwhile. Your educational future is far too valuable to risk with disciplinary action. Violations of such will be handled according to the Social Science Division policies, MCC policies and MCCD policies.