MD COBECON Syllabus
MD COBECON Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory course in economic analysis at the undergraduate level. Students are expected to develop a
mindset that connects and applies economic theories and concepts to real-life individual, national and international
problems and issues. It focuses on how households and firms interact, behave and decide in an economy. This
course deals with consumer choice, theory of production and cost, firm behavior under different market structures
and market failures.
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LO 8: Demonstrate ability to measure consumer’s utility using
different tools (i.e. willingness to pay, happiness surveys, etc.)
COURSE ASSESSMENTS:
Grade Scale:
96 ≤ grade ≤ 100 4.0 72 ≤ grade ≤ 77.9… 2.0
90 ≤ grade ≤ 95.9… 3.5 66 ≤ grade ≤ 71.9… 1.5
84 ≤ grade ≤ 89.9… 3.0 60 ≤ grade ≤ 65.9… 1.0
78 ≤ grade ≤ 83.9… 2.5 grade < 60 0.0
Oral Presentations
Exemplary Satisfactory Developing Unacceptable
Criteria
3.5 to 4.0 2.5 to 3.0 1.0 to 2.0 0.0
Knowledge and Arguments are well- Arguments Arguments Arguments
reasoning informed and based on include evidence but are pat or “lay”, driven are ill-informed,
fresh compelling evidence, are still driven by by motherhood incoherent,
argued logically, and generalities or statements, sentiments, suggesting
founded on correctly uninformed opinions or outdated facts rather very little
applied economic and emotions, use of than by current interest or
principles economic principles is evidence and sound preparation
present but may not be economic principles
deployed as effectively
2
Communications Speech contains almost no Speech contains few Speech contains several Speech contains
errors in grammar or errors in grammar or major errors in too many
usage; uses pace and usage, could improve grammar or usage; major errors in
modulation well, pace and modulation, demeanor might be grammar
incorporates humor and as well as a bit more inappropriate for and usage,
personality personality and/or occasion, not quite recommended
humor university-level for bridging
standard coursework in
communication
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, Part II. Demand and Supply 3-8 Read Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6
LO5, LO6, LO7, LO8, Lecture and Discussion
LO12, LO13 Consumer and market demand Case Study Analysis
Consumer behavior: theory and applications Small Group Discussions
Supply, costs and profits
Firm’s objectives and behavior
EXAM NO. 1
Part III. Markets and Prices 9 - 11 Read Chapters 7, 8, 9
LO1, LO2, LO6, LO7, Market Structures Lecture and Discussion
LO9, LO10, L11, Conduct and Performance Case Study Analysis
LO12, LO13 Pricing in theory and practice Small Group Discussions
EXAM NO. 2
LO3, LO4, LO12, Part IV. Welfare Economics 12 - 13 Read Chapter 14
LO13 Business, government and the natural Lecture and Discussion
environment Case Study Analysis
Small Group Discussion
FINAL CASE ANALYSIS WRITTEN REPORT
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Please be guided by our schedule for the term as follows:
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Week Study Time Tuesday Thursday
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Week Study Time Tuesday Thursday
14 APR 21: SUBMISSION OF FINAL CASE ANALYSIS WRITTEN REPORT (via AnimoSpace)
1. Advanced Readings. Our main reference is the e-book “Economics for Business” by Ian Worthington,
Chris Britton and Andy Rees. I expect you to read the chapters indicated in the learning plan in
advance. This is uploaded in AnimoSpace.
2. Attendance. Be physically and mentally present during our sessions. I will check attendance not
because it is required but because I want to inculcate in you the value of education and respect for your
parents.
3. Submissions. I expect and encourage you to submit required outputs on time. You are already in
College; thus, I see you as mature individuals who know your responsibilities and who are capable of
making sound decisions.
4. Case Analysis + Current Business Issue Presentation. Each chapter contains a case study, a real-
world economic problem to motivate you to understand the topic. The assigned group is expected to
present this in class on the scheduled date in our learning plan. To demonstrate understanding and
learning, the assigned group also presents a current business issue and its recommendation/proposed
solution as “business experts” using data and economic principles learned in the chapter. Each group is
given 20 to 30 minutes for their presentation.
5. Final Case Analysis Written Report. I will give each group a final case to be solved and analyzed
using any of the economic concepts and principles we discussed in class. The guidelines will be
uploaded via AnimoSpace.
6. Graded Class Participation/ Rendition. Each of you will be assigned to a chapter that you need to
substantially understand and master. During my lectures, there will be students scheduled to recite and
help me out with the discussion. I will assign your chapters during the first session of the term.
7. Exams. There will be 2 exams as listed in the learning plan and schedule.
8. Research. Every output you submit or post online (through Canvas) should be backed by research.
Your ideas are built on intuition but you have to prove your claims and analysis through economic
theories and tools.
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10. Electronic Gadgets. You can only use your gadgets if I allow you to do so. Please refrain from using
them for personal purposes.
11. Values and Morals. I do believe that values are more important than intelligence. If you know and
uphold your values and morals, learning and understanding will follow. To be successful in life, it
takes patience, perseverance and respect for self and others. Let us show how true Lasallians should
behave, for God and country.
12. Other class policies. We will observe all policies provided for by the Student Handbook.
Worthington, I., Britton, C. and Rees, A. (2005). Economics for Business (2nd Ed.). Prentice Hall.
Baye, M.R. and Prince, J. (2010) Managerial Economics and Business Strategy. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Core Economics: https://core-econ.org/the-economy/book/text/0-3-contents.html
Case, K., Fair, R. and Oster, S. (2012). Principles of Economics (10th edition). Singapore: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Mankiw, N.G. (2015). Principles of Economics (7th edition). Toronto: Thomson Nelson.
Levitt, S.D., and Dubner, S.J. (2014). Think Like a Freak: The Authors of Freakonomics Offer to Retrain Your Brain.
Toronto: HarperCollins.
Levitt, S.D., and Dubner, S.J. (2005). Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.
New York: William Morrow.
Noted by: