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Principles of Economics
(Micro)

Virginia Tech

Welcome to the Course!

With the start of the semester approaching, I wanted to share some important information about course expectations before the first day of class. My goal with this list is to ensure that you are familiar with those expectations and to put you at ease before classes officially begin.

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You will have access to a dedicated Canvas course a few days before the semester begins. There will be an orientation module in that course that offers more details about how to purchase access to the different platforms we'll use, assignment instructions, and official course policies. While I will describe various course materials below, you don't need to worry about purchasing them until we get closer to the first day of classes. Once you arrive on campus, you can allocate some time to getting the course material. I'll post an announcement in Canvas (which will likely end up in your email inbox) when our Canvas course is unlocked and ready to access.

Econ 2005
Course Site

10 things you should know before the semester begins:

  1. Coursepack Recommendation: I highly recommend getting a copy of the coursepack, which contains redacted slides from class. I'll post a PDF version on Canvas if you prefer to take notes with a tablet, but a physical copy will be available at the campus bookstore for around $30. I will teach the course at a pace that assumes you are using the coursepack for note-taking. If you're taking notes on physical paper, I recommend getting a pack of these felt-tip markers for best results. 
     

  2. In-Person Format: Most of our meetings this semester will be held in person, and will not be recorded or offered over Zoom. There may be a few days during the year when I need to be away, and those lectures will be provided online. The vast majority of your graded assignments will be completed online, but a significant portion of your final grade comes from daily quiz questions in class.
     

  3. Graded Participation: Active class participation is an important contribution to your final grade in the course. We will use the iClicker Cloud platform to help keep class interactive throughout the semester. Some of your other classes may require the use of a physical iClicker remote, but those won't work for our course. Instead, you'll participate in daily poll questions using your laptop, cell phone, or tablet. You will be able to register and pay for your iClicker Cloud access once our Canvas course officially opens.
     

  4. Unique Teaching Style: My section of Econ 2005 differs significantly from other sections offered at Virginia Tech. We all cover the same material but go about it in different ways. My sections tend to place a stronger emphasis on reading and discussions outside of class. Keep in mind that Virginia Tech expects you to spend around 6 hours each week working on material related to our course in addition to the 3 hours we spend together each week. 
     

  5. Assignment Weights: Instead of a couple of exams worth a large percentage of your overall grade, our course emphasizes weekly small-stakes assignments. It's important to keep track of due dates throughout the semester and avoid a heavy reliance on the Canvas calendar. Now is a great time to get into the habit of using a simple planner to keep track of your busy schedule.
     

  6. Online Discussion Boards: We will use an online discussion platform known as Packback each week. I have negotiated a reduced price for our course, so it's important to purchase your subscription directly from Packback instead of the campus bookstore. If you're using Packback in other courses (or you used it in previous classes), Packback will also give an additional discount on our class. You will be able to register and pay for your Packback account once our Canvas course officially opens.
     

  7. MyLab Platform: Your textbook, homework, and exams will all be hosted on Pearson's MyLab platform. The campus bookstore will offer an access code, but you should purchase it directly through Pearson's website to receive a discounted price. MyLab access costs around $120 when you purchase it from Pearson compared to $160 at the campus bookstore. Your access includes a digital copy of the textbook, but you can also purchase a used copy of an older edition on Amazon if you prefer. You will be able to register and pay for your MyLab account once our Canvas course officially opens, but you should purchase a physical copy of the book before classes start if you would a physical copy. 
     

  8. Saving on Books & Course Material: If you're searching for books for your courses, you can often find them online at significantly lower prices than the campus bookstore. For most classes, you can find used copies or older editions that work just as well as the new ones. Check with your other instructors to be sure! Amazon offers deep discounts, especially if you have an Amazon Prime Student account. You can even have packages shipped to your dorm.
     

  9. Canvas as Hub: We'll use several different online platforms this semester, but you should consider Canvas as the central hub for all course-related information. I recommend configuring your Canvas preferences for daily digests, and consider setting up email forwarding for your VT email address if you want to use something else. You will need to use your VT email address when you set up your online accounts (MyLab/iClicker/Packback) so that your grades are synced with the Canvas gradebook each time I post grades.
     

  10. Technology Issues & Concerns: The semester is long and there is a chance you'll run into technical issues during the semester that prevent you from completing an assignment. Given the structure (and size) of the course, there will not be any opportunities to make up assignments you miss during the semester. Nearly all of our assignments are completed online, which allows you to take advantage of a public computer on campus or rent a laptop from the library

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I'm incredibly passionate about economics and education. I will share that excitement with you every class, and I hope you bring similar energy to class when it comes to learning and wanting to be successful. I occasionally post class-related things you may find interesting on my social media accounts (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Instagram), and I even write a weekly newsletter that looks at how basic economic concepts can explain current events and pop culture. You are not required to follow me on any of those accounts, but you are welcome to interact with me on those platforms as much or as little as you're comfortable. 

I am really looking forward to the upcoming semester and I hope you enjoy your next few months with me as your instructor!

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