Complete the Mandatory Orientation (& sign up on Remind) by January 17thst
Grading is based on the total number of possible points available on the exams and the required MyEconLab Assignments.
MyEconLab.com (MEL) is the online study aid that accompanies the Miller text. 28% of your grade, or 280 points, will come from MyEconLab. MyEconLab is required, not optional.
Consider the percentage of points you receive on exams or MEL assignments only as an indicator of your grade, not the final conclusion. There are many extra credit opportunities available throughout the semester, so especially if you are a nervous test taker stay on top of collecting extra credit points.
The course consists of four main units: UNIT 1 - UNIT 4. Unit each cover four chapters of the book (except UNIT IV which covers 3 chapters), and you complete the relevant MyEconLab assignments. Once you completed the MyEonLab assignments for those four chapters with a minimum of 65% in each Homework and Quiz you can take the Unit exam which covers those four chapters.
After you completed all 15 chapters and the four UNIT exams, plus the Analysis assignments for our chosen country, you may move on to take the final exam, to complete the course.
Each of the four UNIT earns you a max of 175 points. For UNIT 1-3 that means points for MEL assignments and exams. UNIT 4 only covers three chapters plus you add all eaned ANALYSIS points for Analysis 0 to 5 to its total (adding up to 45 points max).
There are four required Unit exams with 40* questions ( each from a specific Learning Objective) from a central databank. [*only 30 questions for UNIT IV]
The required final exam will consist of 100 questions from a central databank (randomly drawn within each Learning Objective). Each question on the final exam is worth 2.5 points.
You have one attempt on the final exam. However, a practice final is available to take as often as you like to prepare.
All Competency Exams are available until the day BlackBoard closes. They must be taken at the ACC Testing Center.
MyEconLab assignments consist of homework and quizzes. Homework assignments typically have 20 questions, and additionally include the category of (short) movies, which you are required to watch as well. You have unlimited attempts at homework assignments and receive immediate feedback. For each quiz, you will receive feedback after you completed it. Quizzes also have 20 questions. You may make up to three attempts at each quiz. Only the highest grade counts (each attempt has different randomly drawn questions)
You can receive up to 8 points for each homework assignment, 3 points for each video chapter assignment (typically four videos), and 8 points for each quiz.
You may work on MyEconLab assignments after the due date, but you will lose 1% of points for every day you are late. Exceptions of course for excused absences.
Analysis are pass or fail only, and each analysis has to be turned in by the due date. When you get it right you pass and earn full points, otherwise, you will receive zero points in your gradebook, and detailed grading comments from me on what you need to do to pass. Please read those carefully and do not hesitate to contact me if anything is unclear.
It is a good idea to ask for my feedback before you turn in your analysis, and if available to also have a buddy look at your work. Like other MEL assignments, analyses 1 to 4 are chained, so if you "fail" you must resubmit it until you pass an analysis to move on to the next analysis since they build on each other. If do not pass an analysis I will write detailed grading comments on it, so you know what you need to do to complete it and move on. Ask for clarifications and respect the due date for resubmission. If you have an unexpected schedule conflict contact me ASAP to change the new due date.
As a rule, class attendance is mandatory. But since this is a competency-based course you can test out of attending classes if you have shown your competency before the relevant class. There will likely be 31 class periods this semester and you will receive attendance points for each class you attend, up to a maximum of 25 classes. Due to the large number of extra attendance periods you do not need to worry about a documented excuse for missing a class, but it is courteous to inform your instructor anyhow. For extended sickness over more than a week please bring it to my attention and have documentation available. To "attend" a class
You will work on group assignments during class time. Alternatively, an entry or exit quiz could be given to an individual student or student group. After the initial grading, each group has the option of turning in their assignment one time for re-grading. You can even discuss your answer with me before you do so. Each student is responsible for making a copy of the group submission they helped create. Either hand-writte a copy or take a snapshot with your phone. However, regrading is not an option if you missed the assignment because you came early or left late. Missed assignment will remain at zero.
When we cover a chapter in class and you already completed the chapter quiz with 65% or better you may receive attendance credit without being present in class. But please send me an email the night before class, so I know of your absence and can confirm you don't need to attend.
If you completed the UNIT challenge exam for a UNIT or the COURSE challenge exam before the relevant chapter is covered in class you will also receive attendance points. Again, send me an email before class to let me confirm you are covered.
NOTE: For an extended excused absence, please send me a copy of the documentation for the reason for your absence ASAP and we will work out how you can earn the attendance points for the classes you missed and a reasonable schedule for you to catch up on all your class assignments you missed during that period.
There are three exceptions to the distribution of grades given above. They are:
If you make an F on the final, (that is, make less than 55% on the final exam), then you can make no higher than a C in the course.
In other words, you cannot make an A or a B in the course if you make an F on the final.
If you make a D on the final, (that is, you make at least 55% but less than 65% on the final exam), then you can make no higher than a B in the course.
In other words, you cannot make an A in the course if you earn a D on the final.
If you make a 92% or above on the final exam, you will earn an A in the course regardless of your total points.
The first two exceptions are why a Practice Final is being provided. I hope that the Practice Final will help you to better prepare for the final and take away some of the anxiety you might feel when approaching a final exam. In my experience, if the practice exam is taken under the same condition as the final exam it is a very good indicator of your actual final exam grade. Take the first practice final early so you have time to improve to your desired grade.
Next: Course Competency