Economics 103B
Introduction to Political Economy: Microeconomics
Spring 2005
General
Information
Instructor
Lecture Times
Textbooks
TAs
Course Policies
Grading Policy
Problem Sets
Exams and Assigned Readings
Makeup Exam Policy
General Information
Instructor
Professor
Bruce
Petersen
253 McMillan, 935-5643
petersen@wueconc.wustl.edu
Office Hours
Tuesday/Thursday, 4:10-5:30
Lecture Times
Section
1
Tuesday/Thursday 10:00-11:30, Lab Sciences
250
Section 2
Tuesday/Thursday
Textbooks
Microeconomics:
Private Markets and Public Choice (6th edition)
Robert B. Ekelund and Robert D. Tollison
Addison-Wesley, 2000
The Economics of
Public Issues
(13th edition)
Miller, Benjamin and North
Teaching Assistants
|
Shilpi Kapur McMillan
353 |
Patrick McAlvanah McMillan
348 Office Hours: Tuesday, 4:00 -
5:00
|
|
Guido Cataife McMillan
331 |
Raul Andrade McMillan
342 |
Course Policies
Grading Policy
There are two midterm exams and a final exam. The midterms will each count for 30 percent of the total points. The final exam will be cumulative and will count for 40 percent of the total points. Problem sets do not count towards your final point total (see below).
All exams are closed book exams. You may use a calculator but no notes or any other course materials are allowed. Cheating is considered a serious offense at Washington University.
A common observation by students who have taken this course in previous years is that regular class attendance is essential for obtaining an A or a B. This is partially due to the fact that the most important topics are emphasized in class, and these topics are covered in greater detail than in the textbook. Furthermore, most of the subject matter covered on the exams will be based on topics that are covered in class. Skipping class on a regular basis puts you at a serious disadvantage.
Problem Sets
Approximately seven problem sets will be passed
out in
class. They can also be found by clicking the links below.
The
problem sets will be collected, graded, the scores recorded, and
returned to
you as quickly as possible. As mentioned previously, the problem set
grades
will not count toward your final point total. It is strongly
recommended
that you do the problem sets, however, since a significant portion of
each exam
will be based on them. In the case of borderline grades problem
set
performance will be taken into account. Repeated failure to turn
in
problem sets is viewed as a lack of effort on your part. There
will be
evening help sessions for the problem sets.
Problem Set
2
Problem Set 3
Problem Set 4
Problem Set 5
Problem Set 6
Problem Set 7
Exams and Assigned Readings
A list of assigned readings from the textbooks, as well as the date of each exam, is given below (note that the examination dates for the two midterms should be regarded as tentative). The final exam will be given at the time scheduled in the Spring 2003 Course Listings. Notice that sometimes only a portion of a chapter is required. You will be tested only on the required material. Appendices are not required.
The Ekelund and Tollison book is abbreviated by ET; the Miller, Benjamin and North book is abbreviated by MBN.
ET: Chapter 1. MBN: Chapters 2 and 21.
ET: Chapter 2.
ET: Chapter 30 (pages 771-780 required). MBN: Chapters 28 and 29.
ET: Chapter 3. MBN: Chapters 6, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
ET: Chapter 4 (pages 83-93 required).
ET: Chapter 5 (pages 115-127 required).
First Midterm Exam: February 24 or March 1.
ET: Chapter 6.
ET: Chapter 7. MBN: Chapter 18.
ET: Chapter 8. MBN: Chapter 14 and 16.
ET: Chapter 9. MBN: Chapters 15.
ET: Chapter 11 (pages 271-275 required).
Second Midterm Exam: April 12 or April 14.
ET: Chapter 14 (pages 343-353 required). MBN: Chapter 22.
ET: Chapter 17. MBN: Chapters 23, 25, and 26.
Final Exam: TBA.
(This exam is
cumulative – 75% on previous material and 25% on chapters 14 and 17.)
Makeup Exam Policy
No makeup exams will be given. Valid excuses for missing an exam include a verified illness or special family circumstances. To be excused from an exam, notification should be given before the exam begins by contacting the instructor or a department secretary. If you are excused, your final grade will then be based on the other two exams.
Last modified on
andrade@wueconc.wustl.edu