Current Topics in Economics

Spring 2009

Catalog Description

Three hours lecture.Prerequisite: ECON 105 and junior or senior standing. Investigates topics of current and continuing interest not covered in regularly scheduled courses. Students may take course up to six credit hours under two different topics.

Course Objectives

The students will be able to apply economic reasoning to explain everyday types of choices. They will be able to use both standard, neoclassical methods and methods developed in Behavioral Economics.

Methods

Each student will be a member of a book club. Members of each club are responsible for purchasing the book assigned to their group. Each group will make 4 presentations throughout the semester to the rest of the class based on an assigned group of chapters. The presentations should include a review of the theories, data and methods used by the author(s) in the book and any relevant material from the current website. The presentation should also include a class participation exercise based on the material from the reading.  The club should submit a glossary of terms that students might not already be familiar with. These will be compiled into a webpage.

Each book club will also prepare and conduct an economic experiment. A report on the experiment and results will be presented to the rest of the class during the final exam period.  

Each student will individually prepare and submit Economic Naturalist writing assignments as described below. As time allows some of these may be discussed in class so each student should always be prepared to discuss the selected topic.

Economic naturalist writing assignments

Use a principle, or principles, of microeconomics to pose and answer an interesting question about some pattern of events or behavior that you personally have observed. Your space limit is 500 words. Additionally, cite sources of information in a list of references. You can submit one extra writing assignment on Dec. 6 to replace the lowest problem set grade among the 5 that will count toward your final grade.

Examinations and grading

Attendance policy

All students are expected to attend all classes. Student participation is critical to the success of this course. One point will be deducted from the 20 available for attendance for each class missed following the first class. 

Decorum

This is not an open classroom.  Arriving late and leaving early are disruptive. You are expected to be in your seat when the class hour begins and remain in your seat until the end of the class hour. Chewing tobacco or gum and eating are not proper activities for a classroom. Cell phones should be turned off. No text messaging during class.

All emails sent to the instructor should be composed using proper English terms and grammar. Poorly composed messages will not be answered.

Honor Code

Please review the student Honor Code in the student handbook and posted in most classrooms. Any student caught cheating on an exam will receive a grade of F for the course if this is the first offense. Other penalties may also be imposed. A second offense usually results in dismissal from the university. For more information, visit the Dean of Students academic integrity website at http://www.radford.edu/~dos-web/academicintegrity.htm

Last modified: January 22, 2009