ECON. 3323 Regional Economic Analysis

SYLLABUS – Spring 2010

ECON. 3323 – Regional Economic Analysis

Sec. 003 (TuTh 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in Brewster C-304)

Dr. Gary W. Zinn Dept. of Economics

Office: Brewster A-110 (inside A113 office suite)

Tel. 328-6751 (office); 756-3395 (home)

Office hours: MWF 11 – 11:45 a.m. and 2 – 3:15 p.m.; Tue 8:30 – 10:45 a.m.;

Thu 1:30 – 3:15 p.m.

e-mail:

Course website: core.ecu.edu/econ/zinng As the semester progresses, I will post important documents and notices on this website. Please check the website every 2 – 3 days for new materials and information.

The course will combine class study and student project work. Classes will cover the primary methods of describing and analyzing the structure and functioning of regional economies. Also, we will study how specific sectors of a regional economy may be evaluated for future growth and development potential.

Student project work will focus on analysis of county-level economic activity in North Carolina. Project work will identify the most important economic sectors in a particular group of counties, evaluate those sectors’ contributions to the overall economy and their interdependence with other sectors, and examine their potential for future growth and development.

I have selected five 4-county “regions” in NC for use in the course project. Early in the semester, I will assign a small group of students to do the course project on a particular region. Then to complete the project:

· Each group of students may divide/share the work of gathering information and compiling data for each phase of the project.

· But each student will write her/his project reports independently – i.e., without collaborating with other members of the group.

This course is writing intensive. Accordingly, all project report work you do will be evaluated in terms of both the quality of economic analysis and writing technique and effectiveness. Specifically, the scoring of your work will be 60% on content (analysis) and 40% on writing for each project report.

Expectations: Given that this is a professional course within the Economics curriculum, my expectations are that you will . . .

· Attend class faithfully (including getting here on time and staying until class is adjourned) and pay attention and participate during class. (See Attendance below.)

· Study the text assignments and project guidelines thoroughly.

· Undertake your fair share of gathering information and/or compiling data for each phase of the course project and complete the work in question in a timely and competent manner.

· Complete project reports to the best of your ability. This includes doing whatever it takes to submit well-written materials.

The technical rigor of the course will not be exceptional, but you will need to consistently work (four-letter word!) throughout the semester to do well. Anyone who expects to “slide” through this course will be disillusioned.

If you feel you will have difficulty meeting these expectations, please do everyone concerned a favor and drop the course now. Anyone who demonstrates inattention to these expectations may expect get a hard time from me (and quite possibly from other group members).

Text and reference materials: With one exception noted below, the text and reference materials for this course will be electronic files, either downloadable from the world wide web or provided on the course website.

The basic course text materials that you will need to download right away are posted on the course website.

Additional instructional and reference material citations will be posted on the course website at appropriate times during the semester.

The one thing you will need to get on your own is a current and comprehensive North Carolina map.

Grading Basis

1. Phased project reports (3) ...... 300 pts.

2. Quizzes (3) ...... 150 pts.

3. Final project report ...... 200 pts.

4. Attendance (20% of above) ...... 130 pts.

Total ...... 780 pts.

1. A total of three (3) phased project reports, covering successive phases of the overall project, will be due as indicated in the Class Schedule, below. Phased reports will be worth 100 points each.

2. Three (3) in-class quizzes will be given as per the class schedule, below. Quizzes will be worth 50 points each.

You will be prompted to collect and study certain relevant materials before each quiz. For the quizzes, you will have these materials in hand for reference (i.e., quizzes will be “open book”). The quiz questions will require you to do specific calculations or write narrative answers, using relevant regional analysis concepts and techniques and pertinent data.

Missed quizzes cannot be made up (unless the student has an excused absence for a given quiz, in which case the student’s average on remaining quizzes will be applied for the missed quiz).

3. The final project report will coalesce the work from the three phased reports, along with any additional relevant items not included in the phased reports. The final report is an opportunity to “put it all together,” including correcting errors or deficiencies in the phased reports.

4. Attendance: I feel very strongly that students should attend their major courses faithfully. This is especially true for this course, since you really need to attend class to fully understand what we are doing in various phases of the course project. Also, I will make time in many class sessions for you to coordinate with the other members of your group. Remember, 130 points of your “pre final” grade basis will depend on attendance. E.g., if a student has attended only 60% of the class sessions in which I verified attendance, then her/his attendance score would be 60% of 130 points = 78 points.

The attendance grade scale will be 117 pts. = A, 104 pts. = B, 91 pts. = C, 78 pts. = D.

Recorded absences may be excused only via a documented excuse (University, medical, or similar).

Note that there will not be a final exam for this course!

The project work, quizzes, and attendance score described above constitute the entire basis for your course grade. No individual “extra credit” or “makeup” work will be given under any circumstances.

Project reports will be scored on a “straight” scale, i.e., 90% = A,

80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D; quizzes may be scored either on a straight scale or on a “curve” based on the class mean and standard deviation for a quiz.

A grade report will be posted intermittently during the semester. The report will show scores for project work and quizzes to date, total points earned to date, and absences and attendance score. Total points earned may be compared with a current letter grade scale; thus you can verify your letter grade standing at that point in the course.

Please note: The grade report will be posted on my course website. Individual students’ grades will be posted by Banner I.D. number only (no names). Anyone who does not wish their grades posted in this manner must so notify me before the first quiz.

Anyone who has questions about quizzes, grades, or other course requirements or guidelines at any time during the term should consult with me promptly.

Students with disabilities/special needs: ECU seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a disability must be registered with the Department for Disability Support Services, located in Slay 138 (252)737-1016 (Voice/TTY).

Any student with a special need due to disability should so notify me and we will work out suitable accommodations.

Academic Integrity Violations include cheating, plagiarism, and falsification on or in relation to any academic requirement, assignment, or activity. A student suspected of an academic integrity violation is subject to a legalistic procedure that can result in severe penalties. As an instructor, I am obligated to deal with any academic integrity violation firmly and in accordance with University policies and procedures. For your own information and protection,

I recommend that you review the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, available via a link on the homepage of my course website.

Note that you will be sharing relevant information and data for your study region with other members of your group. However, you must do your report writing completely on your own to avoid a possible academic integrity violation.

Understood???

ECON 3323 CLASS SCHEDULE – Spring, 2010

This schedule lists key dates relative to quizzes and project reports. The focus of other class sessions will be announced in advance.