Global Economic Issues

ECON 241-003 and -004

Spring 2009
Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Katherine Sauer

Office: OC 3028
Office Hours: T 1 2:30pm W 10 noon R 1 2:30pm and by appointment
Phone: 812.465.7034
Email: kmsauer1@usi.edu

Course Meetings:
Section 003 TR 9am 10:15am OC 2036
Section 004 TR 10:30am 11:45am OC 2036

There is no required text.

All course readings will be posted on BlackBoard. You will be expected to bring copies of the readings to class
with you when instructed.

Prerequisite: ECON 175 or 208 or 209

My expectation is that you are familiar with the economic way of thinking. I also expect that you can do basic
algebra and understand how to read graphs.

Course Description: An introduction to the causes and consequences of the growing economic interdependence
of nations. Emphasis is placed on how different people, cultures, institutions, and economies are affected by, and
respond to, current global issues.

This course serves in the fulfillment of the University Core Curriculum in the C5-Category.

College of Business Skill Development: This course will focus on the critical thinking skill.
The USI College of Business has identified six skill sets that employers are looking for in employees: written
communication, oral communication, analytical problem solving, critical thinking, technology use, and ethical
decision making. Students will work to develop these skills over the course of their business degree.

Course Objectives: At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- explain how to measure the size of an economy
- explain the history of globalization and its consequences
- explain the missions and operations of the World Bank and IMF
- explain several aspects of international trade, specifically why countries trade, the effects of trade barriers, and
the WTOs role
- explain several aspects of international finance, specifically the balance of payments, and the market for foreign
exchange
- explain the basic global economic issues pertaining to development, investment, migration, technology,
health, and the environment

Components of Course Grade:

In Class Assignments 25%
Homework 10%
Article Analyses 30%
Quizzes 20%
Presentation 15%

1
In Class Assignments
During almost every class period you will work on short assignments in groups. They are designed to clarify the
material for you as we go along. For the most part, if you are actively participating you will receive full credit on
the assignments. Sometimes you will be required to do some preparation for the assignments ahead of time (i.e.
read an article at home). There are no make ups given on in-class work. You are allowed to miss two in-class
assignments with no penalty to your grade. However, you will still be responsible for any missed material by the
time we have a quiz.

Homework
There will be 8 homework assignments. These assignments are designed to shed light on the way international
issues impact life here in Indiana. Homework will be announced at least a week in advance of the due date. Late
homework is not accepted. You must turn in your homework at the beginning of class. You may turn homework
in early if you need to miss class.

Article Analyses
During the semester you must complete three article analyses. A detailed description is posted on BlackBoard. If
you wish, you may complete four analyses and drop your lowest score. Due dates are listed below (choose any
three dates or complete all four). Late work is not accepted. You must turn in your analyses at the beginning of
class. You may turn your analysis in early if you need to miss class.

AA1 due February 3rd

AA2 due March 3rd
AA3 due March 31st
AA4 due April 28th

Quizzes
There are five quizzes throughout the semester. Quizzes will primarily be based off of in class assignments.
Should you have an extenuating circumstance which prevents you from attending class on the day of a quiz, you
may be eligible for a make-up quiz. Please contact me in a timely manner to explain your circumstance. All make
up quizzes will be given on April 23rd. I will announce quiz dates one week in advance but I anticipate that the
approximate schedule for quizzes will be:

January 27th
February 19th
March 19th
April 7th
April 23rd

Presentation
Choose a global economic issue that you find interesting. Prepare a 2-3 minute presentation, and a few Power
Point slides to highlight important aspects of the issue you choose. We will be discussing the details later in the
semester and a handout will be posted on BlackBoard. To go along with your presentation, you will be preparing
a detailed outline which includes your sources. Your outline is due on April 16th. Late outlines are not accepted.
You must turn them in at the beginning of class. You must be in attendance during the presentation class days.
Failure to attend during those class sessions will result in a 5 percentage point deduction in your overall course
grade for each absence. Presentation days:

April 28th
April 30th
Final Exam Period
Section 003 May 7th 9am-11am
Section 004 May 5th 10:30am 12:30pm

2
Grade Disputes Policy:
If you have a dispute/argument/disagreement with grading, please observe the following procedure:
1) You must wait 24 hours before bringing your argument/dispute/disagreement to my attention.
2) After the 24 hours, you may submit to me in writing an explanation of your argument/dispute/
disagreement.
3) I will review your case by our next class meeting and set up an appointment with you to discuss my
decision.

**If your only dispute is an incorrect calculation of your grade, let me know as soon as possible. A submission in
writing is not necessary.

Email Policy:
Emails should be written in a proper, professional format. This includes a subject, greeting, complete sentences,
appropriate use of capital letters/punctuation, and a closing. In the real world, youll be expected to
communicate professionally via email so I want you to get in that habit now. Emails not composed properly will
not be answered and the content will be ignored. If you have a grievance to discuss with me, email is not the
appropriate medium. Please stop by my office hours or make an appointment to see me. Assignments are not
accepted via email except in grave extenuating circumstances.

Media Policy:
Please refrain from using cell phones or texting during class. If you bring a laptop computer to class, I expect that
you are using it for our class only no checking email, IMing, surfing the web, or doing homework for other
classes. Be advised that I call on laptop users more frequently during class.

Disability Policy:
USI students with disabilities can receive services through the University Counseling Center. To receive
disability support, you must register at least 60 days prior to the date services are needed. Please let me know at
the beginning of the semester what I can do to help in these matters. More information is available from the
Counseling Center, OC1022; phone x1867 or TDD (812) 465-7072.

Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty in this class including plagiarism, cheating, submitting another persons material as
ones own, or doing work for which another person will receive credit will subject a student to disciplinary
action as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Code of Student Behavior. If you are found guilty
of academic dishonesty in this class, you may receive a grade of F for this course and you may be dismissed
from your degree program and possibly from the University.