University of Houston Department of Economics 
                                        SYLLABUS Spring 2018 
                                 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS 
                         Econ 2304-Sec 05 (11196)  TT 11:30-1:00  C104 (Roy Cullen) 
                          Econ 2304-Sec 10 (11199)  TT 1:00-2:30  C104 (Roy Cullen) 
                                                    
         INSTRUCTOR:             Dr Ross vanWassenhove 
         OFC LOC:                220 McElhinney Hall (M220) 
         INSTR WEB PAGE:         http://www.class.uh.edu/Faculty/vanwassenhove/teaching/index.html 
         CLASS WEB PAGES:        http://digital.wwnorton.com/prinecomi2 
         OFC HRS:                1)  TT 10-11  2)  before/after class  3)  appointment 
         EMAIL:                  rsvanwassenhove@uh.edu 
         FINAL EXAM              Sat May 5, 11a-2p, Room SEC101, ID REQUIRED 
         Teaching Assistant      TBA 
          
         PREREQUISTES:  Math 1310 required (or equivalent) 
          
         BOOKS/SOFTWARE            nd
         Principles of Microeconomics, 2  ed, Mateer/Coppock; SmartWork/eBook package REQUIRED 
         (See Book and Online Instructions on Instr Web Page) 
          
         Final grades are categorized by deviation from the class average.  Usually, at an undergraduate course 
         level, near average is typically a C+/C.  Below 40% course average is usually a failing F grade. 
          
         NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED.  NO EXTRA CREDIT.  NO MAKE-UPS.  Nothing “dropped”. 
         (Exception:  exam may be made up or waived at the Instructor’s discretion with medical 
         emergency form signed by the attending physician – may be used once only) 
          
         GRADING:  
         ITEM                           %      Method 
         Midterm Exam                   20     ~70 M/C + calc 
         Final Exam - Comprehensive     40     ~100 M/C + calc 
         SmartWork Assignments          37     various 
         Essay – see topic on BB        03     via TurnItIn 
          
         NOTES:  Grades are not negotiable.  Discussion over grades will be allowed only in the event of erroneous 
         posting.  Observance of due dates/times for all submitted material is the responsibility of the student. 
         See FAQs on Instructor web site. 
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
           COURSE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE  
           Date        Topic – Technical Focus 
           Tu 01/16    Chapter 1 Five Foundations of Economics 
           Th 01/18    Chapter 2 Model Building and Gains from Trade 
           Tu 01/23    Chapter 2 continued 
           Th 01/25    Chapter 3 The Market at Work:  Supply and Demand 
           Tu 01/30    Chapter 3 continued 
           Th 02/01    Chapter 4 Elasticity 
           Tu 02/06    Chapter 4 continued 
           Th 02/08    Chapter 5 Market Outcomes and Tax Incidence 
           Tu 02/13    Chapter 5 continued 
           Th 02/15    Chapter 6 Price Controls 
           Tu 02/20    Chapter 6 continued 
           Th 02/22    Chapter 7 Market Interference:  Externalities and Public Goods 
           Tu 02/27    Review 
           W 2/28 –    Wed-Sat Midterm Exam – Chapters 1-7 – 20% of Grade – CASA CBB via 
           Sa 3/3      Blackboard 
           Tu 03/06    Chapter 8 Business Costs and Production 
           Th 03/08    Chapter 8 continued 
           Tu 03/13    Spring Break 
           Th 03/15    Spring Break 
           Tu 03/20    Chapter 9 Firms in a Competitive Market  
           Th 03/22    Chapter 9 continued 
           Tu 03/27    Chapter 10 Understanding Monopoly 
           Th 03/29    Chapter 10 continued 
           Su 04/01    Essay – 3 Essential Questions – 3% of Grade – due to TurnItIn 
           Tu 04/03    Chapter 11 Price Discrimination 
           Th 04/05    Chapter 12 Monopolistic Competition and Advertising 
           Tu 04/10    Chapter 13 Oligopoly and Strategic Behavior 
           Th 04/12    Chapter 14 The Demand and Supply of Resources 
           Tu 04/17    Time Value of Money, Capital Budgeting 
           Th 04/19    Chapter 16 Consumer Choice 
           Tu 04/24    Chapter 17 Behavior Economics and Risk Taking 
           Th 04/26    Review 
           Sat 05/05   Final Exam – Comprehensive – 40% of Grade (on provided scansheets) – on 
           11a-2p      paper in room SEC101, bring ID, pencil, and calculator 
           Class schedule may change at any time due to circumstances beyond the control of the instructor.  
           Students are responsible for maintaining communications to learn about any changes. 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
     EMAIL RESPONSE POLICY: (Please put 2304 somewhere in the email) 
     The following emails will not likely receive a response: 
     ●  Unless you give me permission in your email, anything about grades on exams  
     ●  Why you missed class 
     ●  Where or when any exam is 
     ●  Any other item clearly listed in the syllabus 
     ●  Assigned final grades, unless you can demonstrate that I made a mistake 
      
     NO CHILDREN OR PETS ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS 
     NO RECORDING of ANY PART of ANY CLASS IS ALLOWED – no pictures, no sound 
      
     ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Honesty in completing assignments is essential to the mission of the 
     university and to the development of the personal integrity of the student. Cheating, plagiarism, or other 
     kinds of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate sanctions that may 
     include failing an assignment, failing the class or being suspended or expelled. Examples of academic 
     dishonesty can be found in the UH Student Handbook. 
      
     UH STUDENT DISABILITY POLICY: UH seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all students 
     with disabilities. UH supports and adheres to all applicable laws with respect to providing reasonable 
     accommodations to allow an equal educational opportunity to all students. The student is responsible to register 
     with Disability Support Services and advise your instructor of any disabilities so that appropriate support and 
     accommodations can be arranged.