ECON 3461 Organization of Industry

InstructorRob Szarka
OfficeMontieth 440
Office HoursBefore or after class by appointment
Emailrobert.szarka "at" uconn.edu

Course Description

From the course catalog:

The nature of competition and economic organization. Competitive effects of business practices, and their influence on price, production, and technological change.

Note that ECON 2201 is a pre-requisite for this class, and a semester of calculus is also recommended as preparation.

Course Goals

Students who complete the assigned work and actively participate in class can expect to achieve the following:

Note that, although we will touch the issue, government regulation is not a focus of this course. Students interested in this topic should consider taking ECON 2462.

Course Texts

The only required text is Industrial Organization: Theory & Practice (3rd Edition) by Waldman & Jensen (ISBN 0321376102). This text is available at the UConn Co-Op. There is also a companion web site for the text.

We may also refer to readings or exercises from several free online texts.

Grading

Final grades will be calculated using the following weights: 15% Homework, Class Participation, & Quizzes; 15% Exam #1; 25% Exam #2; 45% Final Exam.

Alternatively, the final exam may be weighted 85% (in place of the other exams).

Homework, Class Participation, & Quizzes

Solving problems is an essential component of mastering the material in this course. Due to the intensive nature of the intersession semester, most of our "homework" will actually be completed in class, often as group assignments. Therefore, I will expect you to attend class faithfully and be prepared to work together and occasionally present your solutions to the class. Please bring your book to class, as well as paper, pencil, and a calculator.

No make-ups will be given for missed quizzes or assignments. If you will have to miss a class, contact me 24 hours in advance for an alternative assignment.

Exams

The final exam will take place according to the university's final exam schedule (i.e., during the final class). In accordance with university policy, make-up final exams will only be given with written permission from the Dean of Students.

Exams #1 and #2 will take place at the end of the first and second weeks of class, during our scheduled class time. There will be no make-ups of Exam #1 and #2. Also note that class may meet on weekends, according to the University's scheduled make-up dates, when class is canceled due to inclement weather.

Learning Disabilities

If you have a diagnosed learning disability and will need special arrangements for classes or exams, please bring me a letter from the Center for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible. No special consideration can be given without documentation.

Civility

You're all adults and I'm confident you'll show me and one another respect by turning off your cell phone, setting your IM status to Away, keeping side conversations to a minimum, and disagreeing without being disagreeable. If you are using a laptop, cell phone, etc. for purposes other than class work during class, I may ask you to leave.

Academic Integrity

From UCONN's Student Code:

A fundamental tenet of all educational institutions is academic honesty; academic work depends upon respect for and acknowledgement of the research and ideas of others. Misrepresenting someone else's work as one's own is a serious offense in any academic setting and it will not be condoned. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation (e.g. papers, projects, and examinations); any attempt to influence improperly (e.g. bribery, threats) any member of the faculty, staff, or administration of the University in any matter pertaining to academics or research; presenting, as one's own, the ideas or words of another for academic evaluation; doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the instructors involved. A student who knowingly assists another student in committing an act of academic misconduct shall be equally accountable for the violation, and shall be subject to the sanctions and other remedies described in The Student Code.

Readings

See Readings for assignment dates and links to readings.


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