ECON 102, Section 1

Principles of Microeconomics (August 29 – December 10)

Fall 2016 Class time: M. and W. (8:30 - 9:45 AM)

Room: CBC A 106

Required Text: Michael Parkin (2016), Microeconomics (12th edition), Pearson

Recommended Readings:

- The Economist
- The New York Times
- The Wall Street Journal
- MyEconLab

Course Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the successful student
will be able to (1) use supply and demand analysis; (2) apply the concept of opportunity
cost; (3) use marginal analysis; (4) use the appropriate models to explain the behavior of
economic agents in different market structures; (5) predict the effects of various
microeconomic policies using the appropriate model; and (6) analyze global economic
issues.
Specifically, this course will teach students to think like economists using the core
concepts given above.

Note that class coverage is not limited to the textbook. The instructor will discuss
current events drawn from the readings listed above and other sources. For example, the
recent fall in oil price can be better understood with the supply and demand analysis.
Students will be given the economic intuition behind each subject and taught to use
diagrams and basic algebra to enhance their understanding of economics.

Ex ams and Assignments

Exams Percentage Date
Exam1 30% October 3 (Monday)

Exam2 30% November 2 (Wednesday)

Final Exam* 32% December 14 (Wednesday, 8:00-10:00

am)
MyEconLab: on-line 8% Assignments and their due dates will be
exercise assignments** posted on-line at MyEconLab over the
semester

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Bring your own scantrons for all tests. Exams cover concepts given in lectures and in the
text. Students are required to take all exams, and there will be no make-up test of any
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kind except in extreme circumstances (e.g., severe illness, car accidents) and with official
proof thereof. Final approval is up to the discretion of the instructor.

*The final exam is comprehensive including topics selected by the economics

department. Note also that an excellent performance in your final exam and active class
participation can be used as a positive factor in evaluating your grade for the semester.
Bring your Rebel card with a photo ID for each exam. Seating ID will be assigned to students for all
exams and be posted on MyEconLab. Notice that no cell phone or any instrument with texting or e-
mail function be permitted to use during exam time.

**There are five homework assignments.

Students who do not have access to a computer should not take this session of ECON
102. For all hardware related issues/questions please contact our class GA (Graduate
Assistant). His/her email will be announced in class and posted on MyEconLab. Note
that the logistics of computer operation are based on UNLV lab computer facilities.
Issues related to personal computer operation are your own responsibility. Be aware
that on-line access may be disrupted due to unexpected events at the publisher’s web
site. Make sure to complete each homework prior to its due date. No extension is
allowed.
Note also that MyEconLab may provide some students with a try-out period that allows students
to sign into the class website for a short period of time. Note that without a full payment, students’
home work results will be removed and hence receive no points.

Grading Scale:
Grades will be based on the scores of all three exams and your homework.
Roughly speaking, the average semester score is as follows:

Letter Grade Scale

A a minimum of 90%
B a minimum of 80%
C a minimum of 70%
D a minimum of 60%
F 50% and below

Yes, pluses and minuses (except for A+) will be given for your final grade. For each
exam, however, students will only receive his/her numeric score. Those numbers will be
multiplied by the weights assigned earlier to determine his/her final grade. If no one has
an average score of 90%, the instructor may use a curve to determine the grade
distribution with corresponding numeric numbers.

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Withdraw/Drop Deadline:
Consult your Fall 2016 calendar for dates to drop/withdraw. Students who wish
to drop/withdraw from the class must comply with the official dates. The instructor will
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not give any “incompletes” under this circumstance.

Relevant University Policies:

Academic Misconduct—Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus
community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and
professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic
Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students
enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as
an educational institution.
An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another, from the
Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy
(approved December 9, 2005) located at: http://studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html.
Copyright—The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to
follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of
copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any
responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject
you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University
policies. Additional information can be found at: http://provost.unlv.edu/copyright/statements.html.
Disability Resource Center (DRC)—The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC-A 143, http://drc.unlv.edu/,
702-895-0866) provides resources for students with disabilities. If you feel that you have a disability, please
make an appointment with a Disabilities Specialist at the DRC to discuss what options may be available to you.
If you are registered with the UNLV Disability Resource Center, bring your Academic Accommodation Plan from
the DRC to me during office hours so that we may work together to develop strategies for implementing the
accommodations to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. Any information you provide is
private and will be treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request, please do not approach me
before or after class in front of others to discuss your accommodation needs.
Note that it is student’s responsibility to contact DRC prior to each exam. All exams must be taken on the
same dates as specified in page 1.
Religious Holidays Policy—any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work
because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up
missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the
student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks of classes, February 3rd, 2016, of his
or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess.
For additional information, please visit: http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=531.
Incomplete Grades—The grade of I—Incomplete—can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed
three-fourths of course work for that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the student’s control, and
acceptable to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course, and the instructor believes that the
student can finish the course without repeating it. The incomplete work must be made up before the end of the
following regular semester for undergraduate courses. Graduate students receiving “I” grades in 500-, 600-, or
700- level courses have up to one calendar year to complete the work, at the discretion of the instructor. If
course requirements are not completed within the time indicated, a grade of F will be recorded and the GPA will
be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete do not register for the course but make
individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the I grade.
Tutoring—The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students
taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered, tutoring
times and other academic resources. The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC).
Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at:
http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/.
UNLV Writing Center—One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV
students at the Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available,

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students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling
895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to
be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More information can be found at:
http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/
Rebelmail—By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is UNLV’s
official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university
communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events, and announcements. All UNLV
students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the university. Students’ e-mail prefixes
are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always @unlv.nevada.edu. Emailing within WebCampus is acceptable.
Final Examinations—The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur at the time
and on the day specified in the final exam schedule. See the schedule at:
http://www.unlv.edu/registrar/calendars.

Miscellaneous:
Our class progress will depend on the performance of the class. Although there is no attendance
policy, you should not miss lectures. You are expected to come to class on time and stay for the entire
lecture. Students are not allowed to eat, sleep or text/check email etc. in class. In addition, students are not
permitted to wear sunglasses and hats/caps during exams. Reading newspapers in class etc. is prohibited.
Moreover, you should not talk to each other during class as this disrupts other students’ concentration.
Those students who do not follow the rules outlined above will be dismissed from class.
Finally, cheating is not allowed and will result in the students receiving an “F.”

Recess: 9/5 (Monday): Labor Day Recess

Preliminary List of Topics (any changes will be announced in class)

1. Basic Concepts: Scarcity, Choice, Opportunity costs and PPF
Chapters 1 & 2
2. How Markets Work?
Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium
Chapter 3
Elasticity, Market Efficiency, Consumer Surplus & Tax Incidence
Chapters 4, 5 & 6
3. Cost and Production
Chapters 10 & 11
4. Perfect Competition
Chapter 12
5. Market Power
Monopoly: Chapter 13
Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly
Chapters 14 & 15
6. Factor Market
Chapter 18
7. Comparative Advantage and the Global Economy
Chapters 2 & 7
8. Market Failure
Chapters 16 & 17

*Note: this is a preliminary syllabus and the instructor reserves the right to adjust it during the semester.
It is your responsibility to find out what is going on in the class.