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Syllabus
Introduction to Political Economics
Spring Semester 2008
Dr. Michael Kupilik
Office: Liberal Arts 405: Office Hours: 10-12 and by appointment
Phone: 243-4575
e-mail: michael.kupilik@mso.umt.edu
Economics web site: www.cas.umt.edu/econ
Text: Issues in Economics Today, 4rd ed. Robert C. Guell
Fundamental Course Goals
This course is designed as a one-semester issue based general economics course. Its purpose is to interest the non-economics major in the basics of the discipline of economics. Students, using the issues approach, should have an understanding of the basic economic theories necessary to explore a variety of real world issues. If this is the only economics course the student takes, the student should, at least, gain enough insight to be able to discuss intelligently the way economic theory applies to important issues in the world today.
Part One – Theory
Week One – Week Four: 22 January – 14 February
An Introduction to basic economic theory. Coverage of opportunity cost, supply and demand, elasticity, basic macroeconomic theory.
Text: Chapters 1-8.
Examination One – 14 February
Part Two – Issues
Week Five- Week Eight: 18 February – 14 March 18 March - Holiday
Federal Spending, Federal Deficits, Monetary and Fiscal Policy. Basic Macroeconomics.
Text: Chapter 9-13
Examination Two – 14 March
Week Nine – Week Thirteen: 17 March – 18 April 24-28 March Spring Break
The Environment, Farm Policy, Price Controls, Anti-trust Policy.
Text: Chapters 17, 24, 25, 26, 28
Examination Three - 18 April
Week Fourteen – Week Fifteen: 21 March – 2 May
Poverty and Welfare, Social Security and Personal Income Taxes.
Text: Chapters 31, 32 and 34.
Finals Week: 4 – 9 May
The lowest grade of the three-hour exams will be dropped. The final grade will be an average of the remaining two-hour exams and the final. The material covered in the final will be announced in class. Attendance will be taken at random and extra points awarded for attendance.
Final Examination: 10:10 am – 12:10 pm, Thursday, 8th May 2008