BUSA 1101

REQUIRED TEXT:         The Economics of Public Issues, Thirteenth Edition, Roger Leroy Miller, Addison Wesley, 2003

 

 

COURSE PHILOSOPHY:

Although the subject of economics & business appears complicated, it is actually an essential element of our everyday lives.  Today, we live in a society guided by economic choices and decisions.  An understanding of the history and application of economics will permit us to understand and appreciate our heritage as well as allow us to evaluate the decisions we make.  This course is designed to increase the student's general knowledge of the effects of economic decisions while arousing a genuine interest and concern for economics in the years ahead.

 

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

1.         To provide an overview of the way our individualistic, largely private enterprise economic system works.

2.         To illuminate the serious economic problems faced by our system, and to arouse an interest in these problems that will remain with the student after he/she leaves college.

3.         To help the student develop "clear thinking" by providing him/her with fundamental economic history, concepts, and principles.

4.         To help the student demonstrate applied knowledge of the basic principles of business necessary for decision making in a world governed by choice.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

This course will focus awareness and exploration of business with special emphasis being placed  on select problems that we all encounter as aspects of our economic system.

 

 

WORKING PAPERS

Working papers are intended to relate what you are learning to things you hear and read in the news.  You will be assigned a topic to research; you will then choose an appropriate article, not more than three weeks old, from a newspaper or magazine.  Write a one page summary, applying what you have learned to evaluate and analyze the topic.  On the day topics are due, you will be asked to make a brief oral presentation of your summary to the class.  This should last no longer than four minutes.  Then hand in your summary.  Each Working paper will be worth 10 points.  You will be required to complete at least 8 working papers during the term.  Others may be assigned.  Working papers must be typed and should not exceed one page (11 point font, 250 words), using the outline below.

 

1.         Summary of article – one paragraph

2.         Identification of economic issues – one paragraph

3.         Solutions

a.  Costs

b.  Benefits

 

 

IF THERE IS ANY STUDENT IN THIS CLASS WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS BECAUSE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES OR OTHER KINDS OF DISABILITIES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME AND DISCUSS THIS WITH ME. 

GRADING

Your grade in this class will be based on the following:

Research project                         5 points                                 

Working Papers (8)                    80 points

Final Examination                        5 points

Class Attendance                      10 points

Total Possible Points     100 points

  

NO points will be given for a paper turned in late!!

 

Your final letter grade will be determined by the grading scale below:

 

A = 90.00 – 100 points                           D = 60.00 – 69.99 points

B = 80.00 – 89.99 points                        F = Below 60.00 points

C = 70.00 – 79.99 points

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.  Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College expects all students to conduct themselves in a responsible manner as individuals who understand that they are accountable for the choices they make as students.  Absence from class for whatever reason does not excuse students from full responsibility for class work or assignments missed

 

STUDENTS MISSING MORE THAN TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE SCHEDULED CLASS MEETINGS MAY BE WITHDRAWN BY THE REGISTRAR UPON RECOMMENDATION BY THE INSTRUCTOR.  THOSE WITHDRAWN BEFORE MIDTERM RECEIVE THE GRADE OF W, AND THOSE WITHDRAWN AFTER MIDTERM RECEIVE THE WF.   

 

A class roll will be taken on a daily basis and  THE ATTENDANCE POLICY WILL BE ENFORCED IN THIS COURSE.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY

 

This class will adhere to the Academic Dishonesty Policy as stated on pages 75 & 76 of the 2002 ABAC Catalog.

 

 

Bonus Points

Students can earn 0.5 bonus point for a maximum of 5 bonus points for any extracurricular event attended.  This includes ABAC sponsored and community sponsored events.  Students must provide documented proof of participation within one week of the event to earn bonus points.

 

 

 

Tentative Schedule

                                                                             

January 14	Introduction
January 21	Critical Thinking – required topic
January 28	Topic 1:  Killer Airbags
February 4	Topic 2:  The Costs of Terrorism
February 11	Topic  3: Immigration – required topic
February 18	Topic 4:  Sex, Booze, and Drugs
February 25	Topic 5:  Choice and Life
March 3	Topic 6: The Internet Economy – required topic
March 10	Topic 7:  Smoking and Smuggling
March 24	Topic  8: The Effects of the Minimum Wage
March 31	Topic 9  The $750,000 Job
April 7	Topic 10  Crime and Punishment
April 14	Topic 11  Killer Cars and the Rise of the SUV – required topic
April 21	Topic 12:  The Opposition to Free Trade
April 28	Topic 13:  Flying the Friendly Skies?

 

 

Final Exam                        Thursday     May 6 @ 3:30 PM

 

Required Topics are in bold print.  A Working Paper on the topic and class attendance is required – required topics are treated like an exam.  If you cannot come to class on that day, you will receive a zero unless

1. You provide advance notice or contact me within 24 hours  AND
2. You have a really good excuse and can provide adequate documentation
   1. Doctor’s note on physician’s letterhead (NOT Student Health)
   2. Police report
   3. Obituary notice