Introduction to microeconomics

 

Welcome to ECN201- Introduction to Microeconomics. 

Microeconomics studies the allocation of goods in a market economy.  We will first look at the economic problem-- deciding what to produce and how to distribute the product.  One of the choices of how to run an economy is the market.  We will study markets using demand and supply.  Finally we will dig a little deeper behind the supply curve and study four key market structures.  The market structures are perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly.

This is an on-line course which has some advantages and some disadvantages.  The key advantage is that you can do the work anytime at 6AM, noon, or 2AM.  You can do the work anywhere there is an internet connection— Rhode Island, New Jersey, or the Riviera.  You can do the work at the beach, your favorite coffee shop, or the library.  The disadvantage is that it may be difficult to discipline yourself to do the work.  I suggest you plan on spending three to four hours per week on this course.  Another disadvantage is that I’m not there in the flesh to help you (some people think this is an advantage).  I will do my best to help as much as I can electronically through WebCT’s discussion, e-mail and chat room tools.

**DO NOT PURCHASE A TEXTBOOK AT THE BOOKSTORE UNTIL YOU READ THIS**

• Register through e-campus
   
• Register through Aplia
   
• A few days the course starts, logon to the course web site through web-CT at webct.uri.edu

Questions
 

Is there a textbook?

This WebCT course will use Gregory Mankiw’s Principles of microeconomics as a text.  This textbook is included through Aplia in electronic version.  You can also purchase the physical book through the bookstore which will include an Aplia payment code. 

To purchase the book through Amazon - click here  Amazon.com   A new book purchased through the bookstore will come with an Aplia payment  code  ISBN 0324279299   includes a prepaid access code.

More importantly, I am using the e-pack (aplia) that goes with the book.  You must register with Aplia to participate in the graded assignments for this course.

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How will grades be determined?

There will be three exams to take on-line.  Each exam will be 25 multiple choice questions and will cover about one-third of the course.  The three exams will be “open book” and count for 50% of your grade.  Another 25% will be based on five assignments.  Two of the assignments will be individual and the other three will be group assignments.  I will set up the groups and make sure you can contact one another through WebCT.  The remaining 25% will be based on class participation which will take the form of substantive contributions to the unit discussions

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Who is the instructor?

I graduated from Brown University with a BA in Economics and received my PhD from Boston College.  All of this occurred a long time ago in a different century.  Although my specialties are antitrust and regulation, I’ve been teaching this course at URI longer than you’ve been walking this Earth (there may be some exceptions).  For the last four years I’ve supplemented the course with WebCT.  This will be the second time I’ve done a stand-alone WebCT course.

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How can I contact the instructor?

• You can contact me through my regular e-mail
  ramsay@uri.edu
  
   
• Once you’re in the course it is better to contact me through WebCT’s e-mail.  When you use my regular e-mail always put “Ecn201” in the subject line.  Because of viruses I never open e-mail from people I don’t immediately recognize unless it has the course in the subject line.  WebCT is much more secure and you don’t have to worry if you are using WebCT’s e-mail.

• You can contact me by phone (401) 874-4129
  
   
• You can see me at my office 806 Chafee.

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How do I log onto webCT?

If you’re not registered in this course then you can’t get beyond this page.  Make sure your browser preferences enable java/javascript  and accept Cookies. If you are registered follow these directions:

• Go to webct.uri.edu and click “login to my Webct”

• Your login ID is the same spelling as your e-campus ID in lowercase.  This is the e-campus ID you chose, not your 9 digit ID number.  Your password is synchronized with your e-mail password on the mail.uri.edu system.  If you have not changed your e-mail  password, your default password is your birth date in mmddyyyy format, such as 03021985.
  
   
• Once you reach the site for ECN201 you will be asked for the 20 digit access code access code.  You only have to do this part the first time you log into the course (that's what the cookie is for).

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Your course key is:  GBZN-EPG3-LDR6

How to Use Aplia

Step 1: Register for Your Aplia Course

First Time Aplia Users:

1.       Connect to http://econ.aplia.com

2.       On the Sign In page, click the Go button next to "Test Your System Configuration"; this takes just a few seconds and provides detailed information on how to update your system if necessary

3.       Head back to the Sign In page and click the "Register Here" link

4.       Fill out the form and click Continue

5.       Enter Your Course Key (above).

Returning Aplia Users:

1.       Connect to http://econ.aplia.com and sign in using your usual e-mail and password.

2.       Enter your course key (above).

Problems with registration or sign in? You can always e-mail Aplia by clicking on the "Help" link in the upper-right corner of any page or by e-mailing support@aplia.com.

Step 2: Choose Your Payment Option (You have until February 13, 2006 to pay for your course and decide which option to choose)

You have several payment options. To find the right option for you, decide whether you want to purchase a physical textbook. 

Note that your Aplia course includes a digital edition (online version) of the textbook. The physical text is optional.

Do you want to buy a physical textbook?

If No, simply pay for your Aplia course ($60):

·          Instructions on the Aplia website walk you through the payment process. There are several ways to pay. You can pay online with credit, debit, or electronic check. Aplia also accepts money orders mailed to: Aplia, Inc., 931 Terminal Way, San Carlos, CA 94070.

If Yes, choose from these two options:

1.      Buy your physical textbook through Aplia ($60 for Aplia, plus $50 for the physical textbook and $5 in shipping and handling)

·          First, purchase your Aplia course. Instructions on the Aplia website walk you through the payment process. You can pay online with credit, debit, or electronic check. Aplia also accepts money orders mailed to: Aplia, Inc., 931 Terminal Way, San Carlos, CA 94070.

·          Next, purchase your physical textbook from Aplia. After you pay for your Aplia course you can order a textbook through Aplia.  Just sign into your Aplia course, click on the Bookstore link on your Home page, and follow the prompts to place your order.

·          You can view Aplia’s refund policy on textbooks in Aplia’s Terms and Conditions of Use: http://econ.aplia.com/af/support/terms.jsp?

OR

2.      Buy your physical textbook from the campus bookstore (price set by bookstore)

·          Textbooks from your campus bookstore come bundled with an Aplia Payment Code.  Use the payment code to pay for your Aplia course online. The Aplia Payment Code covers a portion of or all of your Aplia course fee. Aplia does not refund courses paid for with an Aplia Payment Code.

Grace Period for Payment: You may register and use the website until 02.13.06 without paying the fee. If you are considering dropping this course during the drop/add period, do not make a payment until you decide to stay in the course. You need to pay the full amount before the end of the grace period to continue using the site.

Aplia assignments: Most assignments come in pairs of practice problem sets and graded problem sets. Practice problem sets give you immediate feedback and an explanation of the correct answer. They do not count toward your homework grade. Use them to check your understanding of the material. If you feel confident about the material, you can go directly to the graded set and refer to the practice set only if you want some help.

The graded problem sets have a firm due date. You can change your answers as many times as you like before the due date passes. Once the due date passes, Aplia records your grade and you can no longer change your answers or complete the assignment. In other words, Aplia assignments must be done by the due date. The software does not understand excuses. Do your assignments early to keep last minute emergencies from getting in your way. After the due date, Aplia displays the correct answers and explanations for graded problems.

Student benefits of Aplia: Cramming is an ineffective learning method. Aplia lets you learn by doing - you can apply what you hear and see in the classroom and what you read in the text. Think of the regular assignments on Aplia as a weekly Economics workout. Regular work in Aplia will better prepare you for lectures and exams.

Aplia Payment Code and Textbook FAQs

What is an Aplia Payment Code and how can I get one? The Aplia Payment Code is just another way to pay your Aplia course fee. If your course uses Aplia Payment Codes, you can find them bundled with your text or sold separately at your campus bookstore. Your Aplia Payment Code is different from your Aplia Course Key. The course key allows us to identify your economics class and professor; the payment code tells us that you prepaid your entire Aplia course fee when you purchased the code. An Aplia Payment Code has the following format: xxxxx-xxx-xxxxx-xxx.

What if I purchase a payment code after paying for Aplia with my credit/debit card or electronic check?
We probably owe you some money. To speed up the refund process, sign into your Aplia course and go to the My Account tab for further instructions.

How do I access my textbook on the Aplia website?
A digital version of your textbook is available in your Aplia course. You can access textbook chapters on the Home page or through your weekly assignments.

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