Introduction to microeconomics

Fall 2007

 

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 four to six 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.

We will be using two on-line systems the first is webCT and the second is Aplia. WebCT is the standard URI course management system, whereas Aplia is specifically designed to be used with this economics course.

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

• Register through e-campus
   
• Register through Aplia
   
• A few days before the course starts, logon to the course web site through web-CT at www.uri.edu/webct/ and choose "Fall 2007 courses"

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 Aplia or Amazon.  I have checked around and this is the cheapest way to do things.

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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 the graded Aplia assignments.    The remaining 25% will be based on class participation which will take the form of substantive contributions to the unit discussions on webCT.

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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.  

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How can I contact the instructor?

• Before the course begins 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 www.uri.edu/webct/ and follow the directions, login to "Fall 2006 courses"

• 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.
  
   

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Student Registration and Payment Instructions

Course Name: Principles of Microeconomics, On-line Fall 2007
Start Date: 09/05/2007
Professor: Glen Ramsay
Course Key: L6K7-LAFU-LB4Y

You can begin working on your homework as soon as you register!

• In this course, you will use a textbook and Aplia's website.
• You will have free access to the first four chapters of an online copy of your textbook at Aplia. You can access the remaining online chapters as soon as you submit a payment for your Aplia course.

Registration

Registration Instructions

1. Connect to http://www.aplia.com.
2. Click the System Configuration Test link below the Sign In and Register sections to make sure you can access all of the features on Aplia's website. This takes just a few seconds and tells you how to update your browser settings if necessary.
3. Return to http://www.aplia.com.
• If you have never used Aplia before, click the New Student button and enter your Course Key: L6K7-LAFU-LB4Y. Continue following the instructions to complete your registration.
• If you have used Aplia before, sign in with your usual e-mail address and password and enter your Course Key when prompted: L6K7-LAFU-LB4Y. If you are not prompted for a new Course Key, click the Enter Course Key button to enroll in a new Aplia course. Enter your Course Key when you are prompted.
4. If you understand your payment options, pay now. Otherwise, postpone your purchase decision by choosing the option to pay later. Your payment grace period ends at the end of the day on 09/25/2007.

Payment

Pay Aplia Directly

• Purchase access to your course directly from Aplia on our website for $60.00 USD. The website includes:

- Access to an online copy of your textbook.
- Content that has been customized for your textbook and course.

• However, if you try using the online textbook and decide you would also like a physical textbook, you can order one from Aplia for $50.00 USD plus $7.50 for shipping and handling.