Course Policies

Note: Items highlighted in orange may be tested on the first exam

Readings/Texts
No traditional textbook. The course will utilize online readings drawn from Federal Reserve District Banks, the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics, and other sources as linked on the Course Calendar.

In case a student would like to have a textbook, the one that aligns most closely with my course is Macroeconomics by Acemoglu/Laibson/List. Here are the Amazon links to the first edition and second edition. It is up to the student to connect content from these to the course.

Required Book: The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford. It is available on Amazon via Kindle or Kindle app or you can obtain a hard copy via Amazon or the WKU Store. (Note: The link above is to the 2007 edition. There is a 2012 edition that is essentially the same except for Chapter 6.)

Study Questions: There are 500+ questions that are similar to many of the exam questions compiled into 14 sections with correct answers provided. The Course Calendar shows which sections correspond with each exam. The best use of these questions is to practice them with each class period or each week rather than trying to cram it all it right before an exam. Some exam questions may come from lecture material that is not covered in these study questions.

Warning Label: These questions are helpful as practice for taking exams. However, they are not intended for students to memorize them (there are too many) or view them as the primary resource. Exam questions will be constructed from readings and lectures. You should practice constructing multiple-choice questions from these sources. In addition, some questions on the exams may be similar to the study questions but altered in some way. Also, a few wrong answers may appear in the study questions; if something is at odds with what I have said in class, from the readings, or just seems wrong, please check with me.

Grades

Exams 1-6 100 points (20 points each with lowest score dropped; 80% of final grade)
Exam 7 25 points (score not dropped; 20% of final grade)
Total 125 points

Notes: A=>108 points (90%); B=96-107 points (80-89%)
C=84 to 95 points (70-79%); D=72-83 points (60-69%); F < 83 points (below 60%)

Exams 1-6
Multiple-choice exams on Blackboard based on material presented in video lecture in the assigned reading material. These exams have a 40-minute time limit (unless special provision is granted) when they are started. Exam availability is posted on the Course Calendar, and I will remind you via BB and email. The exam deadlines are firm -- no starting an exam after the deadline for any reason (including computer problems, unless the problem is campus-wide). So, my advice is to take the exam well in advance of the deadline.

Exam 7
Covers two short topics plus specific questions from exams 1-6 (I will provide the list of these questions). It has a 1-hour time This exam score will not be dropped.

Missed Exams

No make-up or early quizzes will be given. The lowest grade on exams 1-6 is dropped regardless of the reason. Students who miss a second exam will receive a zero with special exceptions for long-lasting illness (such as significant COVD illness) or some other significant problem. These exceptions should be documented and cleared with me. In these cases, the final exam will be weighted to compensate for the missed exam.

Exam Policies

Exams must be taken without assistance from others. You may utilize reading materials, notes, ... during the exam.
Violations of the preceding policy are subject to a letter grade reduction and other disciplinary measures per incident

ADA Accommodation Policy

In compliance with University policy, students with disabilities who require academic and/or auxiliary accommodations for this course must contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC) located in Downing Student Union, 1074. SARC can be reached by phone at 270-745-5004 [270-745-3030] or via email at sarc.connect@wku.edu . Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a faculty notification letter (FNL) from The Student Accessibility Resource Center.

Title IX Misconduct/Assault Policy

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to supporting faculty, staff and students by upholding WKU’s Title IX Sexual Misconduct/Assault Policy (#0.2070) at https://wku.edu/eoo/documents/titleix/wkutitleixpolicyandgrievanceprocedure.pdf and Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040) at https://wku.edu/policies/hr_policies/2040_discrimination_harassment_policy.pdf.

Under these policies, discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct based on sex/gender are prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex/gender-based discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to report it to the Title IX Coordinator, Andrea Anderson, 270-745-5398 or Title IX Investigators, Michael Crowe, 270-745-5429 or Joshua Hayes, 270-745-5121.

Please note that while you may report an incident of sex/gender based discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct to a faculty member, WKU faculty are “Responsible Employees” of the University and MUST report what you share to WKU’s Title IX Coordinator or Title IX Investigator. If you would like to speak with someone who may be able to afford you confidentiality, you may contact WKU’s Counseling and Testing Center at 270-745-3159.

Course Description & Learning Objectives

Course Description: Economics is a social science with a focus on the economic activity at the local, regional, national, and global levels with attention given to the impact of market processes and policies on individuals and societies. The course emphasizes the application of economic analysis in critically evaluating contemporary issues. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to apply economic concepts to contemporary issues and understand the impact economic decisions and actions have on individuals and society.

Learning Objectives: This course fulfills the Social and Behavioral Science requirement in the Explorations category of the Colonnade Program. To meet the requirements of a course in this category, the course fulfills the following learning objectives:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of at least one area of the social and behavioral sciences.

2. Apply knowledge, theories, and research methods, including ethical conduct, to analyze problems pertinent to the social and behavioral sciences.

3. Understand and demonstrate how at least one area of the social and behavioral sciences conceptualizes diversity and the ways it shapes human experience.

4. Integrate knowledge of at least one area of the social and behavioral sciences into issues of personal or public importance.

5. Communicate effectively using the language and terminology germane to at least one area of the social and behavioral sciences