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Professor Ruth Morales
Professor Ruth Morales
Summer 2024 - Online
Summer 2024 - Online
July 1st - August 10th, 2024
All deadlines are set to 11:59pm Pacific Time
Please watch the following introductory welcome video.
Please watch the following introductory welcome video.
Professor Morales in her element at the BC Forum at Santa Barbara City College.
Professor Morales in her element at the BC Forum at Santa Barbara City College.
Welcome to the class!
Welcome to the class!
Fundamentally, economics is a social science -- that is, its subject matter is society. It is the study of how individuals and societies choose to use scarce resources to satisfy unlimited human wants. Economics 102 is intended both as a first macroeconomics course for students considering an associate degree in economics or business curriculum, and as a survey for students of other disciplines. This course will provide you with the basic tools needed to understand the flow of national income and production, economic growth and fluctuations, the role of money and banking, and monetary and fiscal policy in order to ultimately understand business cycles in the aggregate economy. Students should be prepared to challenge any preconceptions they have about the field of economics, its view of human behavior, and how it contributes to the design of policy.
Fundamentally, economics is a social science -- that is, its subject matter is society. It is the study of how individuals and societies choose to use scarce resources to satisfy unlimited human wants. Economics 102 is intended both as a first macroeconomics course for students considering an associate degree in economics or business curriculum, and as a survey for students of other disciplines. This course will provide you with the basic tools needed to understand the flow of national income and production, economic growth and fluctuations, the role of money and banking, and monetary and fiscal policy in order to ultimately understand business cycles in the aggregate economy. Students should be prepared to challenge any preconceptions they have about the field of economics, its view of human behavior, and how it contributes to the design of policy.
That said, you will learn very quickly that economics addresses much more than that. Almost anything and everything can be analyzed with an economic lens -- relationships, the environment, addiction -- you name it!
That said, you will learn very quickly that economics addresses much more than that. Almost anything and everything can be analyzed with an economic lens -- relationships, the environment, addiction -- you name it!
While rigorous, I think you will find this course and the economic way of thinking to be quite interesting. I will do my very best to convey the concepts in a way that is not only conducive to learning but relevant in your day-to-day life. Ultimately, my goal is to tool you up with an analytical arsenal, so to speak, so that you become a better informed individual and decision maker. You will find that even a little understanding of economics goes a long way because it illuminates much about the world around us.
While rigorous, I think you will find this course and the economic way of thinking to be quite interesting. I will do my very best to convey the concepts in a way that is not only conducive to learning but relevant in your day-to-day life. Ultimately, my goal is to tool you up with an analytical arsenal, so to speak, so that you become a better informed individual and decision maker. You will find that even a little understanding of economics goes a long way because it illuminates much about the world around us.
This course is challenging for nearly everyone who is taking economics for the first time, as it should be if one is to master economic concepts. While economics is incredibly logical and intuitive, it nevertheless requires a lot of effort, good study habits, and a significant time commitment along with the discipline to hold oneself accountable. I will do everything I can to provide the support to help you do well.
This course is challenging for nearly everyone who is taking economics for the first time, as it should be if one is to master economic concepts. While economics is incredibly logical and intuitive, it nevertheless requires a lot of effort, good study habits, and a significant time commitment along with the discipline to hold oneself accountable. I will do everything I can to provide the support to help you do well.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
- Key Measures - Define key measures of aggregate economic activity -- GDP, CPI, unemployment and inflation -- and describe the condition of an economy using these measures appropriately.
- Money - Explain what money is, how it is created, and its role in determining macroeconomic equilibrium.
- Boom/Bust Cycle - Use modern business cycle theory to explain how an economy enters a recession or an economic expansion and how it returns to its long-run trend.
- Economic Growth - Distinguish business cycles from economic growth and state factors that contribute to growth.
Time Commitment
Time Commitment
Summer courses condense 16 weeks of instruction into 6 weeks while still covering the exact same content. As it is, economics is a time-intensive class, combining that with a compressed schedule will require that you devote A LOT of time to this class in order to succeed. For a summer session, you are expected to put in between 16-24 hours per week in order to get a good understanding of the material. You should treat it as if it were a part-time job. This is stated upfront so that students are aware of what is ahead. If you are not able and/or willing to put in the necessary work to succeed in this class, then you should consider dropping the course and perhaps taking it during the regular 16-week semester. Read the advice from past summer session economics students to get a feel for the required commitment.
Summer courses condense 16 weeks of instruction into 6 weeks while still covering the exact same content. As it is, economics is a time-intensive class, combining that with a compressed schedule will require that you devote A LOT of time to this class in order to succeed. For a summer session, you are expected to put in between 16-24 hours per week in order to get a good understanding of the material. You should treat it as if it were a part-time job. This is stated upfront so that students are aware of what is ahead. If you are not able and/or willing to put in the necessary work to succeed in this class, then you should consider dropping the course and perhaps taking it during the regular 16-week semester. Read the advice from past summer session economics students to get a feel for the required commitment.
Class Format
Class Format
This course will be entirely online & asynchronous. This means we do NOT meet for lectures. Pre-recorded lectures designed for online course delivery will be available each week for students to watch.
This course will be entirely online & asynchronous. This means we do NOT meet for lectures. Pre-recorded lectures designed for online course delivery will be available each week for students to watch.
There are strict binding deadlines for assignments, discussion board posts, and exams, which means you will need to read the textbook and watch the lecture videos in a timely manner. It will be your responsibility to keep track of deadlines in order to submit things on time. A schedule of all deadlines is available via the link below as well as through the navigation bar that can be accessed where it says ECON 102 on the top left of this page. The schedule is also available as a PDF on our Canvas homepage. Deadlines have also been incorporated into the Canvas calendar.
There are strict binding deadlines for assignments, discussion board posts, and exams, which means you will need to read the textbook and watch the lecture videos in a timely manner. It will be your responsibility to keep track of deadlines in order to submit things on time. A schedule of all deadlines is available via the link below as well as through the navigation bar that can be accessed where it says ECON 102 on the top left of this page. The schedule is also available as a PDF on our Canvas homepage. Deadlines have also been incorporated into the Canvas calendar.
The Canvas modules will mostly consist of slides, chapter readings, discussion board forums, MindTap assignments, and exams. Each chapter and its related material will have its own module in Canvas. Modules will be released in blocks according to the chapters that will be assessed on the next exam.
The Canvas modules will mostly consist of slides, chapter readings, discussion board forums, MindTap assignments, and exams. Each chapter and its related material will have its own module in Canvas. Modules will be released in blocks according to the chapters that will be assessed on the next exam.
College in the 2020s
College in the 2020s
All that said, I understand that this course is being offered in a time of uncertainty, and I recognize that you may encounter unexpected challenges during this term. That includes challenges related to health and illness, technology, caregiving responsibilities, work responsibilities, and more.
All that said, I understand that this course is being offered in a time of uncertainty, and I recognize that you may encounter unexpected challenges during this term. That includes challenges related to health and illness, technology, caregiving responsibilities, work responsibilities, and more.
My goal this summer is to support you in doing the best work you can in light of the challenges you face. I understand that college students face tremendous pressure to work hard, get “good” grades, and be as “successful” as possible. That's a lot of pressure. I encourage you to remember that your health and well-being are far more important than the work you do in this class or any other class. I encourage you to take the time you need to care for yourself.
My goal this summer is to support you in doing the best work you can in light of the challenges you face. I understand that college students face tremendous pressure to work hard, get “good” grades, and be as “successful” as possible. That's a lot of pressure. I encourage you to remember that your health and well-being are far more important than the work you do in this class or any other class. I encourage you to take the time you need to care for yourself.
If you are finding it difficult to balance your well-being with your work in this class, please let me know. It is okay to ask for help and to acknowledge when you are struggling, and I am happy to help connect you with available resources and services.
If you are finding it difficult to balance your well-being with your work in this class, please let me know. It is okay to ask for help and to acknowledge when you are struggling, and I am happy to help connect you with available resources and services.
The course is structured to allow for hiccups along the way by having a generous drop policies. It is structured to allow students room to breathe. Refer to the "Requirements & Grades" tab of the syllabus for details.
The course is structured to allow for hiccups along the way by having a generous drop policies. It is structured to allow students room to breathe. Refer to the "Requirements & Grades" tab of the syllabus for details.
I will be highly accessible to you this summer. You are encouraged to meet with me during office hours to discuss course material, economics more generally, college, careers, or any other thoughts or concerns you may have. You are especially encouraged to stop by to ask questions about any concept you find particularly challenging. Taking an online economics course is not easy – I encourage you to actively seek help from me and/or the tutor whenever we can be of assistance.
Study Group
Study Group
You are strongly encouraged to form a study group where you and a small group of other students meet regularly for study sessions. Explaining the material to your peers and asking each other questions is a great way to make sure you understand the material. It is also a great way to help identify your weaknesses so that you are better able to pinpoint what you need to focus on.
You are strongly encouraged to form a study group where you and a small group of other students meet regularly for study sessions. Explaining the material to your peers and asking each other questions is a great way to make sure you understand the material. It is also a great way to help identify your weaknesses so that you are better able to pinpoint what you need to focus on.
Communication and Notifications
Communication and Notifications
Announcements, course materials, and grades will be posted on Canvas. Be sure to check for updates regularly as announcements are posted frequently. As a student at SBCC, and especially in this class, you should make it a habit to check your Pipeline email address and the Canvas announcements page regularly.
EMAIL: CANVAS INBOX
EMAIL: CANVAS INBOX
Please only email me using Canvas's Inbox feature to ensure you receive a prompt response.
I will do my best to respond within 24 hours if contacted Monday - Friday. It may take a bit longer on weekends.
I will do my best to respond within 24 hours if contacted Monday - Friday. It may take a bit longer on weekends.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Click the button below to schedule a time to meet with me during office hours. I require at least a 4- hour notice so that I can plan.
Click the button below to schedule a time to meet with me during office hours. I require at least a 4- hour notice so that I can plan.
Canvas Student Lounge
Canvas Student Lounge
The Student Lounge is a great place for general course-related questions to ask of your peers. You can access it via the Discussion tab on Canvas. If your course-related question/concern is personal in nature, please send it directly to me through the Canvas inbox.
The Student Lounge is a great place for general course-related questions to ask of your peers. You can access it via the Discussion tab on Canvas. If your course-related question/concern is personal in nature, please send it directly to me through the Canvas inbox.
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