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SYLLABUS

Basic Economics Online Summer B -2014


ECO 1000 CRN 31353

Instructor: Professor Regina C. Cassady
E-Mail: rcassady@valenciacollege.edu
Office Phone: 407-299-5000, X2272
Department Phone: 407-582-2443
Office Hours: Building 7-156, MW 3:30p.m. -6:15p.m., TR 12:30-1:30p.m., F
12:00-2:30p.m. (online)
Course URL: http://learn.valenciacollege.edu/
Course Times: CRN 31353 Online

Course Description: General survey of basic economic concepts and institutions
to prepare student for intelligent citizenship. Emphasis on principles of production,
determination of prices, distribution of income and economic problems of everyday life.
Not intended for majors in economics or certain business curricula requiring 6 semester
credits in ECO 2013 and ECO 2023. No credit granted for ECO 1000 if ECO 2013
And/or ECO 2023 have been satisfactorily completed.

Course Objectives:
Valencia Community College Student Competencies - Valencia faculty have defined
four interrelated competencies (Value, Think, Communicate, and Act) that prepare
students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the
College Catalog. In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work,
and other learning abilities, you will further develop your mastery of these core
competencies.

1. VALUE - make reasoned judgments and responsible commitments by:
a. recognizing values as expressed in attitudes, choices, and commitments
b. distinguishing among personal, ethical, aesthetic, cultural, and scientific values
c. employing values and standards of judgment from different disciplines
d. evaluating your own and others' values from individual, cultural, and global
perspectives
e. articulating a considered and self-determined set of values

2. THINK - think clearly, critically, and creatively. Analyze, synthesize, integrate and
evaluate in many domains of human inquiry by:
a. analyzing data, ideas, patterns, principles, perspectives
b. employing facts, formulas, procedures of the discipline
c. integrating ideas and values from different disciplines
d. drawing well-supported conclusions
e. revising conclusions consistent with new observations, interpretations, or reason




3. COMMUNICATE - communicate with different audiences using varied means by:
a. identifying your own strengths and need for improvement as communicator
b. employing methods of communication appropriate to your audience and purpose
c. evaluating the effectiveness of your own and others' communication

4. ACT - act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly by:
a. applying disciplinary knowledge, skills, and values to educational and career goals
b. implementing effective problem-solving, decision-making, and goal-setting strategies
c. acting effectively and appropriately in various personal and professional settings
d. assessing the effectiveness of personal behavior and choices
e. responding appropriately to changing circumstances

Valencias General Education Student Learning Outcomes
Cultural and Historical Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of the
diverse traditions of the world, and the individual's place in it.
Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning: Use processes, procedures, data,
or evidence to solve problems and make effective decisions.
Communication Skills: Engage in effective interpersonal, oral and written
communication.
Ethical Responsibility: Demonstrate awareness of personal responsibility
in one's civic, social, and academic life.
Information Literacy: Locate, evaluate, and effectively use information
from diverse sources.
Critical Thinking: Effectively analyze, evaluate, synthesize and apply information and
ideas from diverse sources and disciplines

Course Prerequisites: None; however it is recommended that students are
comfortable with grade school level thirteen math.

Course Texts or Ancillary Materials:
Mandel, Michael., Economics: The Basics with Connect, 2
nd
Edition, McGraw-Hill
Irwin, 2009.
Book Website http://highered.mcgraw-
hill.com/sites/0073523186/information_center_view0/


Course Resources:
Instructional Media Center, Building 4
Internet Access, Research Facilities, Tutoring Center, Building 4 - Free tutoring
Testing Center, Building 4-120
Social Sciences Division Website
http://valenciacollege.edu/east/socialsciences/
Webpage -
learn.valenciacollege.edu
(Includes: Chapter Outlines, Lecture Notes, Syllabus, Homework Assignments, Hot
Links, Sample Exams, Review Sheets, Extra Credit Opportunities)

Course Evaluation Criteria:
Exams:
Students will be required to take 3 exams (generally covering 3-4 chapters) as specified
in the Weekly Itinerary. There are specific deadlines for each exam! The exams will be
valued at 20% each. Exams will be composed of multiple choice questions, short
definitions, true/false questions, essay questions, and problems.
Homework:
A total of approximately twenty homework assignments and quizzes will constitute 20%
of the final grade. Homework assignments will be posted on the website to reinforce
assigned material. Homework is due at the end of the corresponding exam deadline. For
example, all homework for Exam #1 will be due before the deadline of Exam #1. Late
assignments will not be accepted.
Written Assignments:
A written assignment will be posted for every exam. Students are required to respond
with one to two pages by the deadline as noted on the Weekly Itinerary. A rubric will be
attached to each Written Assignment specifying grading criteria. Written assignments
will account for 20% of the final grade.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
Students may use the following options to deliver their work.
1. US Postal Service: Professor Regina Cassady, Valencia Community College, MC 3-
29, P.O. Box 3028, Orlando, FL 32802-3028

2. E-Mail: rcassady@valenciacollege.edu (attach as a WordPerfect or MS-Word
document) OR within Blackboard email.
3. Personal Delivery - Social Science Departmental Office - East Campus - Building 8-
105
GRADES:
Determined on the following scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 59-below
FINAL GRADES:
Final grades will be calculated as follows:
3 Exams X 20% each 60 points
Homeworks X 6.67% each unit 20 points
3 WA X 6.67% each 20 points
Total 100 points

Course Procedures: A Weekly Itinerary is posted on the web. Students are
responsible for all reading material and assignments displayed in a weekly format.
1. Read assigned text chapters. Reading the textbook is essential to your
comprehension of the course concepts. Read material as assigned.
2. Complete Homework. Completing homework is necessary for comprehension
and application of economic concepts.
3. Written Assignments. Written Assignments are mandatory and must be
completed as assigned. These assignments require students to apply critical
thinking skills to assess and analyze, using economic criteria, and current
economic issues.
4. Post-Tests: Are provided to test your comprehension of the material in that
particular folder. These are optional, and do not count as part of your course
grade.
5. Exams: Exams are a required component of the course. Exam times are
posted on the Weekly Itinerary.
6. Extra Credit: Online quizzes that are complementary to the assigned reading
material are available for extra credit towards the exams. Each quiz (one
allowed per chapter) is worth one point extra credit towards the corresponding
exam grade. You must score at least 70% or better to earn extra credit. Send
the quizzes to rcassady@valenciacollege.edu.

Course Policies:
Student Commitment: You should budget adequate time each week for reading the
textbook and completing all assignments. You will be responsible for keeping up to date
with all lessons and assignments.
Expected Student Conduct: Valencia is dedicated not only to the advancement of
knowledge and learning, but is concerned with the development of responsible personal
and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for
becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary
responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the professor. Students
who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be
directed by the professor to leave the class. Violation of any Valencia
policies/procedures or classroom rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion from the College. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from the
class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and
authorized actions. Valencias Student Code of Classroom Conduct (Policy 10-18)
can be found in the current Student handbook, or online at
http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordlD=180.
Academic Honesty: All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia.
Academic dishonesty included, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false
information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing
situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive. Sanctions
available to the professor should a violation occur are described in the Valencia
Student Handbook or online at
http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordlD=193.
Technology Policy: I expect that you have the basic internet skills if you are in this
course. If you need to review any of the basics, please go to the Microsoft site and brush
up. A special note about computers: Even though computers and word-processing
software are marvelous time and energy-saving devices, they can and do cause problems
with the production of your documents. Please be aware that a broken or ill-functioning
computer, or the inability to retrieve, produce or submit your assignments from a
computer will not be accepted as a valid excuse for a document that is submitted late. I
advise you to save all your documents to a portable disk instead of your hard drive. If
your computer malfunctions, you will have the option of taking the disk to a Valencia
computer lab to retrieve and print your documents. Students may also access technical
assistance to resolve problems as follows: (1) Help Desk Ext. 5555 (2) Valencia's website
offers an on-line tutorial.
Internet Research Statement: Because of the variety of sources, ease of publication,
lack of central control and proliferation of commercial information on the free Internet, it
is often hard to tell if the information is reliable. Many sites contain research and
information of high quality. However, unlike traditional print publications or library-
based electronic resources, there is usually no process of peer review, nor is there an
editor verifying the accuracy of information presented on the Internet. There are an
increasing number of sites containing information that may be incomplete, anonymously
written, out-of-date, biased, fraudulent, or whose content may not be factual. Students
should, therefore, use caution in use of the free Internet for their research needs. For
academic topics that are addressed in scholarly literature, use of electronic databases or
visiting the library may better meet your needs. However, each professor makes the final
determination of what is or is not accepted as a valid source so review the syllabus for
specific guidelines from your professor. See the following tutorial for more information:
http://faculty.valencia.college.fl.us/infolit/evaluation/default.htm
Make-up Exams: All exams must be taken on or before dates assigned. No make-up
exams are available without the explicit consent of the instructor, and must be scheduled
with the professor PRIOR to the regular exam time. No exceptions will be made. Make-
ups will only be granted in cases of documented emergencies per VCC Policy. If the
exam is assigned to the testing center, please arrive at the testing center 2 hours prior to
closing time; tests will not be given out after that time. You will need your VID, and all
electronics must be turned off. Failure to do so will result in immediate suspension from
the testing center. The final exam must be taken on the date published for the final
examination, if not; this will result in a grade of 0 for that exam.
Change of Name or Address: If you have a change of name and/or address during the
semester, please contact the registrars office. This will help us to notify you promptly
about changes to the program or the addition of new events.
Valencia ID Cards: Valencia ID cards are required for the Library, Testing Center, and
IMC usage. No other form of ID at those locations will be accepted. Possession and
utilization of a Valencia ID is mandatory to obtain these services.
Students with Disabilities: "Students with disabilities who qualify for academic
accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with
Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the
first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines
accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. The East Campus
Office is located in Building 5, Room 216, and (407-582-2229 phone), (407-582-8908
fax)." http://www.valenciacollege.edu/osd

Instructor Commitment: As your instructor, I will follow the course outline as detailed
in this syllabus, and should any changes be required I will announce them well in
advance to give you time to adjust. You can count on my availability during office hours,
and you have the right to expect prompt responses to your questions, comments, and
requests. I will grade your work in a timely manner and return it to you with constructive
commentary.
Email Check Policy: I plan to check my email for this course during my office hours. If
you email me after these hours, do not expect a response until the following period. I may
respond sooner, but do not expect it. When you send me an email, use Blackboard.
Please put the title of this course and the topic you are writing about in the "Subject" line.
Keep in mind that occasionally our servers go down. Maintenance is usually scheduled
for the weekends.
Withdrawal Policy: Students who wish to withdraw from a course are responsible for
completing all the requirements that are listed in Valencia's Student Handbook. Failure
to complete this task will result in the grade of "F" for the course. The withdrawal policy
date for the semester is J uly 18, 2014. If students withdraw before this date, they will
receive a "W". http://www.valenciacollege.edu/catalog/09-10/ Withdrawal is up to
the student; I will not withdraw students.
No Show Status: Class attendance is required beginning with the first class meeting
(for the online class this means that you must email me during the first week of classes to
indicate your decision to participate in the course). If you do not attend the first class
meeting, you may be withdrawn from the class as a no show. If you are withdrawn as a
no show, you will be financially responsible for the class and a W will appear on
your transcript for the course.
Additional Information: Students may find information regarding campus hours for all
areas of student services such as the Instructional Resource Center, Bookstore, and
Testing Center at the main menu link for Area Support Hours.
Valencias General Website http://valenciacollege.edu
Valencia Calendars are posted at http://www.valenciacollege.edu/calendar
VCC Policies & Procedures are posted at
http://www.valenciacollege.edu/generalcounselpolicies.cfm

Disclaimer: Changes in the syllabus, schedule, and/or college policy may be made at
anytime during the course per instructor discretion. It is the responsibility of the student
to make any adjustments as announced.
Basic Economics Online Weekly I tinerary Summer B 2014
Week of
Class
Reading
Assignment
Homework
Assignment
Written
Assignment
Extra Credit Additional
Information
June 17, 2014 Chapter One
Introduction to
Economics
Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapter
One
Written
Assignment #1
Due 06/29/2014
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.
* Email professor
regarding
participation in the
course.
* Review Syllabus
Chapter Two
Demand and Supply:
The Basics of the Market
Economy
Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapter
Two
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.

June 23, 2014 Chapter Three
Market Equilibrium and
Shifts
Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapter
Three
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.

Chapter Four How
Businesses Work
Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapter
Four
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.
Exam #1,
Chapters 1-4,
available from
6/27/-
06/29/2014.
June 30, 2014 Chapter Five
Competition and
Market Power
Chapter Six
Government and the
Economy

Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapters
Five and Six
Written
Assignment #2
Due 07/13/2014
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.

July 7, 2014 Chapter Seven The
First Step into
Macroeconomics
Chapter Eight
Inflation
Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapter s
Seven and Eight
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.
Exam #2,
Chapters 5-8
available from
7/11-7/13/2014.

July 14, 2014 Chapter Ten
Business Cycles
Chapter Eleven
Fiscal Policy

Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapters
Ten and Eleven
Written
Assignment #3
Due 07/27/2014
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.

July 21, 2014 Chapter Twelve
Monetary Policy
Chapter Thirteen
The Financial
Markets
Posted in the
Graded Activities
Folder for Chapter s
Twelve and
Thirteen
Posted in the
Graded
Activities
Folder.
Exam #3,
Chapters 10-13
available 7/25-
7/29/2014.
Grades Due
07/31/2014.

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