Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Principles of Microeconomics (Synchronous Remote)

ECON 2010-30R

Course: ECON 2010-30R
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ECON
CRN: 30190

Course Description

Introduction to basic microeconomic principles: price theory, theory of the firm, trade and comparative advantage, public goods, taxation, welfare economics, and industrial organization. Public policy with regard to the environment, consumer protection, and other problems is also examined. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Required Texts

Rittenberg, Libby Rittenberg Timothy Tregarthen 
Principles of Microeconomics
Saylor.org 
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books/



Learning Outcomes

The Principles of Microeconomics is part of the General Education program at Southern Utah University and an important part of major in the School of Business.  It is designed to achieve three general learning outcomes.  These include....
1. Inquiry – or the ability to systematically explore issues.
2. Analysis – or the ability to break complex topics and issues into parts to gain better understanding
3. Critical thinking – or the ability to comprehensively explore issues BEFORE accepting or formulating an opinion and/or reaching a conclusion.

More specifically, at the conclusion of this course the student will understand the

1. what economists say about the economics of individual behavior
2. the historical foundations of standard economic theory.
3. the role supply and demand play in determining both prices and levels of production.
4. how to measure the responsiveness (i.e. elasticity) of one factor to changes in another variable.
5.the law of diminishing returns and consequently, the basic theory of the firm. Understanding the theory of the firm will also lead naturally to a basic understanding of consumer behavior.
6.the workings of both perfectly and imperfectly competitive markets.

In addition to the specific subject matter of the course, this class should also improve your ability to think abstractly.  Much of what we cover is based upon theory, and the work you complete in this course will improve your ability to think through problems logically.

Course Requirements

Weekly Quizzes/Thought Questions
Frequent quizzes help you stay current with the class. I will try and post one or two of these each week.  You will generally have one week to take these.

Most quizzes will include “thought questions”.  These are literally just questions where I ask you to write a brief essay discussing what you think of the stories, songs, movies, etc…  You are given credit for writing these so please take some time when you are asked to share some thoughts!

Overall, the quizzes are worth 50% of your final grade.

Note:             You must take (not pass, just take) at least half of these quizzes to pass the class.  

Midterm and Final Exam

We have two exams in this class.  The “midterm exam” (it is really just a longer quiz!) is a comprehensive exam over the first part of the class.  This exam is worth 15% of your overall grade. 

The final exam – given during finals week -- is comprehensive over the entire course.  The focus of the final will be on the primary lessons you learned in this class.  The exam will be worth 35% of your final grade and it will be given online during finals week. 

Course Outline

 | WEEK 1 | Introduction
 | WEEK 2 | Introduction
 | WEEK 3 | Behavioral Economics
 | WEEK 4 | Behavioral Economics
 | WEEK 5 | Supply and Demand
 | WEEK 6 | Supply and Demand
 | WEEK 7 | Elasticity
 | WEEK 8 | Elasticity
 | WEEK 9 | Statistical Analysis
 | WEEK 10 | Consumer Theory/Profit Max
 | WEEK 11 | Consumer Theory/Profit Max
 | WEEK 12 | Consumer Theory/Profit Max
 | WEEK 13 | Perfect Competition
 | WEEK 14 | Monopoly/Labor Markets

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

The quizzes all have deadlines.  They are generally open for 7-10 days.  If I did not do this, some people would try and take all the quizzes the last week of class.  That would be very, very difficult.  Deadlines exist to force you to pay attention to the classes and read the book.  

Of course, sometimes the quiz will close before you take it. When I taught face-to-face my make-up policy was quite simple.  I didn’t offer these.  That made sense since I generally teach about 200 students (or more) each semester and giving face-to-face make-up quizzes would be very time consuming.  

But on Canvas these are much easier to give.  So, my policy on make-up quizzes is that I would like to not give these.  Again, you are given 7-10 days to take each quiz and that should be enough time.  That being said, stuff in life happens.  And when stuff happens that prevents you from taking the quizzes on time, please let me know 

So, my make-up policy is that I would prefer you not do this. But if you need to take a quiz after it closes, please just ask me to reopen the quiz! 

Attendance Policy

This class is a Hyflex class.  So students can take it a face-to-face class.  They can take it as a synchronous zoom.  And they can take it as an asynchronous zoom. Because of the nature of the course, attendance is not required.  Students who do not see the class as it happens can simply watch the recordings later. 

Course Fees

No course fees

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.