Summary

  • We reviewed the syllabus
  • You must the textbook + online platform. (just buy the online platform for $123)
    • Also make an iClicker account, is free with the learning platform
  • You HAVE to get 40% MINIMUM on the Final Exam

Main Stuff

ECON 100, or Introduction to Economic Issues, is focused on using basic economic concepts to explore economic issues like unemployment, climate change, inflation, healthcare, and more.

Basically use math, statistics, psychology, and other fields to solve global issues.

Grade Distribution

  1. Achieve Learning Curve Assignments ~ 5%
    • Online learning platform
    • Pass/fail grading (need 450 points to pass)
    • Questions based on textbook readings
    • Best 9/11 assignments
  2. Achieve HW Assignments ~ 15%
    • Same deal except it’s not pass/fail
    • Best 9/11 assignments
  3. Midterm ~ 35%
    • on Tues, Mar 5th, 2024
  4. Final ~ 45%
    • MUST GET MINIMUM OF 40%!!!
    • on Thurs, Apr 18th, 2024
  5. Bonus
    • Do the course eval in April

Textbook + Online Platform

Kevin Milligan, Philip Oreopolous, Betsey Stevenson, Justin Wolfers (2023) Principles of Economics (Custom Canadian Edition).

  • Combines Micro and Macroeconomics
  • Includes “Achieve” learning platform
    • MUST GET THIS FOR ASSIGNMENTS

Personal Thoughts

  • This is the first semester where Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, and other forms of LLM’s are banned.
    • This is unsurprising but it will be interesting to see how this will be enforced:
    1. Simple AI plagiarism checkers? Probably the easiest method but is hard to conclusively prove
    2. Build “academic profiles” of students? Could require in-person written assessments which will be judged against future submitted assignments.
    3. Professors may just guess if something sounds too much like AI? Platforms like ChatGPT seem to overexplain, be too confident, and give broad but shallow answers.
  • We need a $120 dollar textbook + online platform combo (no “alternative methods” unfortunately)