Fall, 2002
Dr. Donald G. Freeman
Office: SHB 210-A
Phone: 294-1264
Hours: MW: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
email: eco_dgf@shsu.edu
TTh: 9:30 -11:00 a.m.;
Homepage: www.shsu.edu/~eco_dgf
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Course Description:
An integration of economic tools of analysis with optimization techniques such as calculus, LaGrangian multipliers and linear programming. Additionally, students are exposed to risk analysis and decision-making under uncertainty, inventory control, profitability analysis, and capital budgeting. Prerequisites: ECO 230 or 233, BAN 232, FIN 367.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:
1. Apply the concepts, theories and methods of microeconomic analysis
to real world examples.
2. Explain how business firms decide what is produced, how it is produced,
and what to charge for it.
3. Describe how economic agents make decisions in order to maximize
objectives given scarce resources.
Text: McGuigan, Moyer, and Harris, Managerial Economics, Ninth Edition
Grading:
Grades will be computed from scores on 13 weekly quizzes, plus a final "replacement" exam. Each weekly quiz, consisting of 10 multiple choice questions/problems, will be worth 100 points, for a total possible score of 1300 points. The final, which is optional, will allow you to "replace" up to four of your quiz grades. It is your responsibility to keep track of your quiz grades and to inform me prior to the final which quiz grades you want to replace. This means that a quiz missed for any reason will automatically be a candidate for replacement (in other words, no make-ups), so plan your emergencies carefully. There is no "curve," no extra credit, no brownie points, no bonus points for showing up and/or looking good. Quizzes may have bonus questions for extra points, however.
Grading Scale:
A: 1170-1300 points
C: 910-1039 points
B: 1040-1169 ""
D: 780-909 " "
Attendance:
Is required. Recent studies indicate that regular attendance may make a difference of at least one letter grade in your final average.
Student Absences on Religious Holy Days:
Students who are absent from class for observance of a religious holy
day will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled
for that day within a reasonable amount of time. The student, no later
than Friday, September 6, must notify the instructor of each scheduled
class day that he/she will be absent for a religious holy day.
Decorum:
It is my intention to treat you with dignity and respect. I will do
my best to be on time for class, to be prepared for class, and to be scrupulously
fair in assessing your grades. In return, I also expect to be treated with
respect. Therefore, I remind you that eating, drinking or dipping in class
are not permitted. Also, as a personal request, unless there are religious
reasons for doing so, there will be NO HEADGEAR worn in class at any time.
Further, if you must leave in the middle of class, please take your things
and do not re-enter; you will only be disturbing the class for a second
time. Finally, if you must be late, please enter quietly and sit by the
door.
Homework:
Will be mainly end of chapter problems, with some supplemental assignments.
Homework will not be collected, but will be worked in class. This puts
the burden on you to do the homework. Because the quiz problems will closely
resemble the homework problems, doing the homework will put you at a distinct
advantage.
Disabled Student Policy:
It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that no otherwise qualified
disabled individual shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded
from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any academic, Student Life Program, or activity. Disabled
students may request help with academically related problems stemming from
individual disabilities from their instructors, department/division chairs,
or by contacting Dr. Patsy Copeland, Chair of the Committee for Continuing
Assistance for Disabled Students and Director of the Counseling Center,
Lee Drain Annex, or by calling (936) 294-1720
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Quiz Dates are Firm)
Week Beginning Quiz Grade Date Topic Chapter
08/18
Introduction
1
Scarcity and Choice
08/25
_____ 08/29
Optimization theory
2,
Web chapter 1: http://mcguigan.swcollege.com
or SHSU Library Electronic Reserves
09/01 _____ 09/05 Optimization continued
09/08 _____ 09/12 Demand Analysis 3
09/15 _____ 09/19 Demand Analysis, continued
09/22 _____ 09/26 Cost Analysis 8
09/29 _____ 10/03 Applications of Cost Theory 9
10/06
_____ 10/10
Competition
10
Fri., Oct 11: Last day to drop with a "W"
10/13 _____ 10/17 Asymmetric Information 11
10/20 _____ 10/24 Monopoly 12
10/27 _____ 10/31 Monopoly, cont.
11/03 Oligopoly 13
11/10 _____ 11/12 Game Theory 14
11/17 _____ 11/19 Pricing Techniques 16
11/24 _____ 11/26 Government Regulation 17
12/01 Final Exam (Tues, Dec 4) or (Thurs, Dec 12)