{"id":10,"date":"2013-01-24T19:49:59","date_gmt":"2013-01-24T19:49:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/rahmed\/?page_id=10"},"modified":"2016-11-09T20:14:49","modified_gmt":"2016-11-09T20:14:49","slug":"econ-247","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/rahmed\/courses\/econ-247\/","title":{"rendered":"Econ 247: Introduction to Policy Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Fall\u00a02016<\/p>\n

Class Time: MWF 9:00-9:50 am
\nClass Room:
\nOffice: WM 317
\nEmail: rasha.ahmed@trincoll.edu
\nOffice Phone: 860 297 2446
\nOffice Hours: MW 12:15-2:30 pm or by appointment<\/p>\n

Teaching Assistant: Nia Vogel<\/p>\n

Course Description and objectives\u00a0<\/i><\/b>
\nThe course introduces students to the basic elements of Policy Analysis rooted in the microeconomics of externalities (social, economic, and political), public goods, common property, information failure, absence of competition, and distributional concern.
\nThe course analyzes different situations where the market system fails to achieve the socially desired outcome, and hence policy intervention is needed. The policies considered range from command and control mechanisms to market based approaches. The course analyzes how effective public policy has been in addressing several real world economic problems.<\/p>\n

Textbooks and Reading Material:\u00a0<\/i><\/b>
\nThe textbook for this course is:
\nSharp, Ansel M., Charles A. Register and Paul W. Grime.\u00a0\u00a0Economics of Social Issues<\/span><\/i>. 21st \u00a0edition<\/p>\n

Grading<\/i><\/b>
\nThe grade for this class will be calculated as follows:<\/p>\n

Exam 1 () \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 25%
\nExam 2\u00a0() \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 25%
\nFinal Exam \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a030%
\nQuizzes \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 10%
\nParticipation &Class work \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a010%<\/p>\n

Class Work<\/i><\/b>
\n1. Book Chapters: \u00a0You are required to review the chapters that will be covered beforehand. \u00a0This will help you better understand and follow the material covered in class.\u00a0 The lecture slides for each chapter are posted on my website.\u00a0 You are expected to print the lecture slides and bring them to class.\u00a0 This will help you prepare for the class and save you some time taking notes.<\/p>\n

2. Practice Sheets: I will give out a set of practice questions every week on the material we cover.\u00a0 The Practice sheets will not be collected or graded, however I expect you to do them all and bring them to class.<\/p>\n

3. Reading articles: There are reading articles assigned every week.\u00a0 You are required to carefully read those articles and relate them to the concepts covered in class.<\/p>\n

4. Discussion Sheets: Whenever a reading article is assigned I will email the class a list of discussion questions.\u00a0 The questions will highlight the most important parts of the readings and prepare students for class discussions.\u00a0 Discussion sheets will be collected when we finish discussing the article in class (on or after the date listed on the discussion sheet).<\/p>\n

5. Class Discussion: You are required to participate in class discussion. \u00a0Participation in class discussion by asking or answering questions or commenting on the material will greatly enhance your understanding. To be able to actively participate in class discussion you should come to class prepared.\u00a0 Students who participate in class discussions typically do better.<\/p>\n

6. Weekly Quizzes: There will be one\u00a0weekly quiz every Monday\u00a0on the material covered the week before.\u00a0 The quiz will be\u00a010 minutes long.<\/p>\n

Policies<\/i><\/b>
\n1. I expect you to be in class on time and to attend every class<\/p>\n

2. No cell phones, laptops or electronic devices can be used in class<\/p>\n

3. I expect you to check your email regularly<\/p>\n

4. If you accumulate more than two unexcused absences, 1% will be deducted from your final grade for every class missed. Excused absences are those absences for which I receive a note from the Dean of Students\u2019 office<\/p>\n

5. I do not give makeup exams except when an emergency situation arises and I get notified by the Dean of Students’ office. The format of the make-up exam will be at my discretion. Having a cold or wanting more time to prepare are not considered emergency situations.<\/p>\n

6. It is your responsibility to collect your assignment or quiz from the TA<\/p>\n

7. There are no \u201cextra credit\u201d assignments given any time during the semester to substitute for a poor grade<\/p>\n

8. Dishonest conduct or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please refer to the Student Handbook for a review of requirements<\/p>\n

9. \u00a0Students with Academic Accommodations- Trinity College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.\u00a0 If you have a documented disability and require academic accommodations, please email me\u00a0your accommodation letter during the first week of the semester\u00a0and cc Lori Clapis. If you do not have a letter but have a disability requiring academic accommodations, or\u00a0if you\u00a0have questions about applying for academic accommodations, please contact Lori Clapis, Coordinator of Accommodation Resources, at 860-297-4025 or\u00a0at\u00a0Lori.Clapis@trincoll.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Finally, students are encouraged to speak with me directly should any concerns or difficulties arise. I am happy to work with students who need extra help. Please feel free to drop by during office hours, send an email or speak with me following class time.<\/p>\n

Course Outline\u00a0<\/i><\/b>
\nThe following is an outline of the chapters that will be covered. The outline and dates are intended as a guide and may be changed during the semester.<\/p>\n

Week 1:\u00a0Sept 7, 9
\n<\/b>Free Markets vs. Central Control<\/p>\n