BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 1 of 8
Economics for Decision Making
2 Credits
BU.220.620.XX
[NOTE: Each section must have a separate syllabus.]
[Start & End Date / ex: 3/24/15-5/12/15]
Residency Dates (if applicable): [Insert dates here]
[Semester / ex: Fall 2016]
Location: Online
In order to succeed in this course, you should plan to regularly spend a significant amount of
time reading textbook chapters, solving problems, doing homework, and preparing for exams.
Generally known to be one of the most challenging subjects in the business curriculum,
Economics for Decision Making (a.k.a. Intermediate Microeconomics or Managerial Economics)
is best learned through solving problems. In this light, several sets of review questions will be
provided along with answers throughout the semester. I also note that, while optional, the
textbook’s Study Guide is a useful resource for additional practice and review.
Instructor
[Full Name]
Contact Information
[Email Address]
[Phone Number, (###) ###-#### (Optional)]
NOTE: When you send email to me, please be sure to write your full name preceded by "Econ4DM [Year]
[Semester] Section [#] – Name" in the title/subject area of your email. For instance, it should look like
"Econ4DM 2016 Fall 1 Section 31 – John Doe". Given the volume of email I receive every day, there is no
way for me to read and respond in time to the messages without proper identifications. Some of such
email has been even automatically sorted away as SPAM by the University email filter. For security
reasons, the University has recommended us not to open any email with unfamiliar or unexpected
headings, addresses or attachments. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that I read and answer your email
unless you follow this instruction. In other words, you are responsible for the consequences of not
following the instruction. I also particularly point out the importance of specifying the section as I am
teaching multiple sections of the same course. I may not be able to understand the context of your
message if the section is not correctly indicated. Please be sure to follow this simple yet important
instruction throughout the semester. Please do the same when you write email to the [list all that apply:
instructional teaching associate (ITA), or teaching assistant (TA)] as well.
Office Hours
[List the day(s) and times of your virtual office hours. Indicate how you will respond to calls and emails. While
faculty are permitted to state “and by appointment,” office hours should not be held exclusively by
appointment. Ex: “Weekdays, 9am-5pm (EST), and by appointment. Calls and emails will be responded to
within 48 hours.”]
Teaching Assistants and Instructional Teaching Associates
[If this course has TAs or ITAs, list their name(s), title(s), and contact information here. If there are no TAs or
no ITAs, adjust the heading as necessary or delete it altogether.]
Required Text and Learning Materials
1. Textbook: Robert Pindyck and Daniel Rubinfeld, Microeconomics, 8th edition (Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 2009) ISBN-10: 013285712X
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 2 of 8
2. Instructional videos and other learning materials specified in the Major Topics and Course Study Guide
on Blackboard.
Recommended Text and Learning Materials
1. Valerie Suslow and Jonathon Hamilton, Study Guide for 8th Edition Microeconomics, 2012
ISBN-10: 0132870495
2. Instructional videos and other learning materials specified in the Major Topics and Course Study Guide
on Blackboard.
Technology Requirements
 Desktop or laptop computer
 Access to a printer
 Broadband Internet access
 Up-to-date virus protection software
 Webcam (most laptops have built-in webcams)
 Microphone (most webcams and laptops have built-in microphones)
 Scanner or CamScanner App on a smartphone to submit assignments
Course Description
This is a microeconomics course with emphasis on the application of economic principles and methodologies
to private and managerial decision problems. Major topics include consumer choice and market demand, costs
and profit maximization, market structures, output/price decisions, and strategic interactions.
Prerequisite(s)
510.601 Statistical Analysis or 914.610 Quantitative Methods
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the determinants and characteristics of consumer-level and market-level demand, and of firmlevel and market-level supply.
2. Summarize the concepts of perfect competition and market equilibrium.
3. Apply microeconomics tools to identify and predict the short-run and long-run effects of demand and
supply shocks on the market equilibrium (price, quantity, number of firms operating in the industry,
profits, consumer surplus and overall welfare).
4. Evaluate different managerial strategies and adapt them to different industry structures and strategic
scenarios.
5. Apply tools from microeconomics to summarize and predict the effects of government regulations on
business and general welfare.
To view the complete list of Carey Business School’s general learning goals and objectives, visit the Carey
website.
Course Policies
Synchronous Online Sessions
Attendance of synchronous online sessions is highly recommended and of great value to students. This
course will have [state # of sessions] synchronous online sessions, all of which will be delivered via Adobe
Connect. To access the Adobe Connect meeting room for this course, go to [Insert the Adobe Connect
URL for the course meeting room here. If you don’t know the URL for your course, contact Teaching &
Learning@Carey at [email protected]].
Participation
Active participation is required for students to meet the highest expectations for this course. Students are
expected to participate in all assigned online class activities and assessments. Each course will also
include opportunities for peer interaction.
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 3 of 8
Communication
A Q&A discussion board has been set up as a place for students to submit questions to their peers and
the instructor regarding course navigation, course content, course assignments, and other related queries.
The online discussion format allows students to see the questions that their classmates have already
asked, as well as the answers that have been provided. The [list all that apply: instructor, instructional
teaching associate (ITA), or teaching assistant (TA)] will check the Q&A discussion board daily and
respond to student questions, where appropriate and necessary, within 48 hours.
A discussion board has been set up to facilitate online study groups. Students can elect to create their own
groups on Blackboard for their groups. If you would like a study group created, please contact the [list all
that apply: instructor, instructional teaching associate (ITA), or teaching assistant (TA)].
Note: Students who have an urgent question or personal matter (such as grades) should contact the
instructor directly at [insert your email]. Otherwise, students are encouraged to use the course’s Q&A
discussion board as their primary method for asking questions.
Case Study Discussion
There will be four optional case study discussions assigned on the course site. You may simply use these
assignments to participate in the exchange of ideas with your fellow students. As you will discover, these
case studies are useful in reinforcing the learning in this course and, hence, are highly recommended.
Extra credit will be given to those who first post the correct answers to the case discussion questions
and/or post the most relevant information leading to the correct answers by the deadline specified in the
course calendar. Posting must be individual, and extra credit will be given up to two people with each
credit amount being of up to 2 percent of the course grade per case study.
Exam Proctoring
Your instructor may choose to administer exams by employing an online proctoring solution.
The school utilizes Software Secure’s Remote Proctor Now to ensure the highest level of academic
integrity of the exams. Please remember that as a student of the Carey Business School, you have agreed
to complete your coursework with integrity.
Remote Proctor Now requires a webcam and microphone. Information regarding the Remote Proctoring
setup and exam conditions will be posted on your Blackboard course site.
Assignments & Rubrics
Assignment
Homework 1
Homework 2
Homework 3
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Final Exam
Total
Course Learning Objective(s)
1, 5
1, 3, 5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 3, 5
1, 2, 3, 5
1, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weight
12%
12%
12%
8%
8%
8%
40%
100%
Homework
You will be given three homework assignments. The assignments must be submitted electronically via
Blackboard by the deadline specified in the course calendar. Only assignments submitted on Blackboard
will be accepted for grading. Assignments sent by email or other means will not be accepted or graded,
regardless of circumstances. No late submissions will be accepted, either.
Tips for Submitting Homework
If you do not own a scanner, you may use a smartphone app called CamScanner. Detailed
instructions will be posted on Blackboard.
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 4 of 8
Working in Teams for Homework
You may work in teams for homework, but not for exams. There is no minimum team size (i.e., you
can work individually if you prefer), but the maximum team size is 5 (five). Each team will submit one
answer set, and each team member will earn the same grade. The names of the team members must
be clearly indicated on the front page of the assignment. Individual members of each team are
expected to completely understand and agree with the answers submitted. If you fail to submit an
assignment by the deadline, you will receive zero points. There will be no exception to this rule.
Study Groups
If you would like to study online with other students, you may form a study group. Study groups can meet
through any medium (Google Hangouts, Adobe Connect, WhatsApp, Skype, etc.), not simply through
Blackboard. Information on forming study groups will be provided on the first week of class.
Review Questions
Review questions are designed to help you learn how to apply the material presented in the readings and
video lectures. You are encouraged to work through these questions on your own before consulting other
students or seeking help from [list all that apply: instructor, instructional teaching associate (ITA), or
teaching assistant (TA)].
Quizzes and Final Exam
The quizzes and final exam will take place online. This course uses Remote Proctor Now (RPNow) to
ensure the integrity of the quizzes and final exam. The quizzes and final exam will not be available to
students unless RPNow is used. Please abide by all policies listed in the RPNow Policy for Online Exams.
Quizzes
There will be three proctored quizzes. Each quiz will address all the material covered in class in the
previous weeks since the last quiz. Quiz questions will be a blend of multiple-choice, short-answer
questions, and problems. The format will be closed-book, closed-notes. A formula sheet will be
provided for use during the quizzes. Except for the formula sheet, no other printed or written materials
are allowed. You will be provided a blank Excel spreadsheet for use as a calculator at the start of the
quiz. You may NOT use any handheld calculator or any calculator apps. Please refer to Blackboard for
detailed quiz instructions.
Final Exam
There will be a three-hour final exam. The exam is cumulative and will cover all topics covered in the
course. Final exam questions will be a blend of multiple-choice, short-answer questions, and
problems. The format will be closed-book, closed-notes. You will be allowed to prepare a one-page
formula sheet for use during the exam. Please refer to Blackboard for detailed instructions on how to
prepare the formula sheet. You may also have one additional blank sheet of paper to use as scratch
paper. You will be provided a blank Excel spreadsheet for use as a calculator at the start of the exam.
You may NOT use any handheld calculator or any calculator apps. Please refer to Blackboard for
detailed final exam instructions.
The rubric below explains how the homework assignments, quizzes, and final exam will be assessed.
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 5 of 8
Assessment
Criteria
Not Good Enough
(0 ≤ score < 6)
Good
(6 ≤ score < 9)
Very Good
(9 ≤ score ≤ 10)
Score
Knowledge of
the
theoretical
concepts
 Misunderstands some
of the theoretical
concepts
 Misrepresents the
theoretical constructs
 Some of the concepts
or frameworks
necessary for the
specific application are
not mentioned
 Demonstrates
understanding of the
theory
 Correctly explains the
theoretical
constructs/frameworks
used in the analysis
 Mentions all the
necessary theoretical
tools for the specific
application
 Excellent understanding
of theoretical concepts
and frameworks
 Provides excellent
representation of the
theory and additional
explanations
 Makes use of all the
necessary concepts for
the specific application
40
Application of
theory to
specific
context/situation
 Uses theoretical tools
that do not fit the
specific
application/situation
 Analysis is sometimes
incoherent and/or does
not follow a logical flow
 (if quantitative) Errors
in computation or setup of the quantitative
part
 Identifies the correct
theoretical tools,
concepts and
frameworks to be used
in the application
 Provides coherent and
logical analysis of the
application through the
lens of the theory
 (if quantitative) The
quantitative part is
executed correctly,
there are no errors of
computation
 Identifies the correct
theoretical tools,
concepts and
frameworks to be used
in the application, but
provides additional
concepts that could be
useful in analysis
 Provides an
outstanding analysis of
the application using
theory, examples and
thorough explanations
 (if quantitative) The
quantitative part is
perfectly executed
40
Quality of
explanation and
discussion
 The discussion and
explanation are not
very clear
 Does not use proper
logic and terminology is
inappropriate or
incorrect
 Steps followed to reach
the conclusion are not
clearly indicated
 The logic of the
discussion and
explanation is clear
 Appropriate
terminology; clear
writing
 The discussion and
explanation are logical
and provides all the
necessary information
to the reader
 Uses proper
terminology and writing
is excellent
20
Total Score
100
Grading
The grade of A is reserved for those who demonstrate extraordinarily excellent performance. The grade of
A- is awarded only for excellent performance. The grade for good performance in this course is a B+/B. The
grades of D+, D, and D- are not awarded at the graduate level.
Please refer to the Carey Business School’s Student Handbook for grade appeal information.
Additional grading policy for this course:
 Grades will be on a curve based on multiple factors including overall class performance and score
clustering.
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 6 of 8

Any case of plagiarism, undisclosed and unallowed collaboration, or cheating will result in all students
involved earning a grade of F. In particular, sharing information about any exam or homework
assignment with those who have not yet taken or submitted it (including students in the other sections;
of course, except with your homework team members when working on homework assignments) is
considered cheating for both parties involved.
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 7 of 8
Carey Business School
Policies and General Information
Blackboard Site
A Blackboard course site is set up for this course. Each student is expected to check the site throughout the
semester as Blackboard will be the primary venue for outside classroom communications between the
instructors and the students. Students can access the course site at https://blackboard.jhu.edu.
Student Technology Resources
 Personal Support Center (PSC):
o Toll-free: 855-270-4436, Ext. 4
o Local: 410-235-0545, Ext. 4
o Email: [email protected]
 Introduction to Blackboard
 Introduction to Adobe Connect
Course Evaluation
As a research and learning community, the Carey Business School is committed to continuous improvement.
The faculty strongly encourages students to provide complete and honest feedback for this course. Please
take this activity seriously; we depend on your feedback to help us improve. Information on how to complete
the evaluation will be provided toward the end of the course.
Disability Services
All students with disabilities who require accommodations for this course should contact Disability Services
([email protected] or 410-234-9243) at their earliest convenience to discuss their specific needs. If you
have a documented disability, you must be registered with Disability Services to receive
accommodations. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive. Therefore it is strongly encouraged
that you identify your needs to Disability Services as early as possible.
Honor Code/Code of Conduct
The Carey community believes that honesty, integrity, and community responsibility are qualities inherent in an
exemplary citizen. The objective of the Carey Business School Honor Code is to create an environment of
trust among all members of the academic community while the qualities associated with success are
developed in students. All students are expected to view the Carey Business School Honor Code/Code of
Conduct tutorial and submit their pledge online. Please contact the student services office at
[email protected] if you have any questions.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center offers free online and in-person one-on-one and group coaching in writing,
presenting, and quantitative courses. The center also offers a variety of workshops and exam study sessions,
and provides a list of self-guided resources. Most of the tutors are current Carey students. For more
information or to book an appointment, please visit the Student Success Center website.
Other Important Academic Policies and Services
Students are strongly encouraged to consult the Carey Business School’s Student Handbook and Academic
Catalog and Student Resources for information regarding the following items:
 Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
 Inclement Weather Policy
Copyright Statement
Unless explicitly allowed by the instructor, course materials, class discussions, and examinations are created
for and expected to be used by class participants only. The recording and rebroadcasting of such material, by
any means, is forbidden. Violations are subject to sanctions under the Honor Code.
BU.220.620.XX – Economics for Decision Making – Instructor Name – Page 8 of 8
Tentative Course Calendar*
*The instructors reserve the right to alter course content and/or adjust the pace to accommodate class progress. Students are responsible for keeping up with all
adjustments to the course calendar. All due dates and times are in Eastern Time (ET).
Module
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Begin Date
Monday
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
End Date
Sunday
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
Consumer
Behavior
Production &
Costs
Perfect
Competition
Monopoly &
Monopolistic
Competition
Oligopoly
Wrapping Up
Synchronous
Online
Sessions
Venue
Groundwork:
Elasticity Analysis
Optimal Decision
Principle
Adobe Connect
Homework
No.
Homework 1
Homework 2
Homework 3
Coverage
Modules 1 & 2
Modules 3 & 4
Modules 5 & 6
Deadline
11:59pm
[date]
[date]
11:59pm
[date]
[date]
11:59pm
[date]
[date]
Topic
Exams
Review
Questions
Case Study
Discussion
Questions
Date &
Time
[date/times]
Answers
Posted
No.
Vantage Point
Adobe Connect
[date/times]
[date/times]
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Final Exam
Coverage
Modules 2 & 3
Modules 4 & 5
Modules 6 & 7
Modules 1-7
Deadline
11:59pm
[date]
11:59pm
[date]
11:59pm
[date]
Open: [date]
Close: [date]
Answers
Posted
No.
[date]
[date]
[date]
Review Questions Review Questions Review Questions Review Questions Review Questions Review Questions
1
2
3
4
5
6
Coverage
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Module 7
Deadline
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
[date]
Title
Deadline
"Revenue
Management at
American
Airlines"
11:59pm
[date]
"Polo Golf Shirt
Pricing"
"Cost Functions"
"Differential
Pricing of
Pharmaceuticals"
11:59pm
[date]
11:59pm
[date]
11:59pm
[date]