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Tim Hamilton

Instructors have provided the following information to generally describe what to expect in their classes.

Economics

Class Format

Your classes with me as your instructor follow a lecture/discussion/in-class activity format. That means that while I will familiarize you with concepts, much of our class time is spent with in-class activities. Sometimes these are exercises done individually and sometimes in groups. Some days we will draw graphs, some days we will debate issues, but most frequently we will apply the tools from our lessons to solve problems. In short, we will build economic models and then apply those tools to current events in the world around us.

The in-class exercises are similar to homework and exam questions; thus, if you participate actively, you will earn better scores on those assessments. Discussions are free flowing so please come to class with questions. The exams are open note, so it is in your best interests to bring a notebook to class and take notes.

Resource Use

Textbook: Our textbook is used extensively and mandatory for the course.

Calculator: A calculator other than the app on your smartphone or laptop is needed. A cheap Walmart non-graphing calculator is sufficient.

Notebook: Unless you are a Mnemonist or Savant or person with an exceptional memory, a notebook is a darn good idea.

Assessment

Your grade is based on three components:

  1. 50% of the grade are the exams. There are four tests this semester (although that number could change for no apparent good reason). All of them count, so no do-overs.
  2. In-Class activities. 25% of the grade. These are the graph-drawing, model-building and problem-solving exercises mentioned earlier. In Online classes, these are performed in weekly discussions.
  3. 25% of the grade is homework. There is weekly out-of-class online homework to do on your own through our textbook publisher’s website.

Homework Policy

Online homework is required for each course I teach and is automatically linked through our Canvas platform via your “DayOne” access when you purchase your textbook. All homework is due on Friday of the week assigned. The scores earned on the publisher’s homework platform are transferred over to the Canvas gradebook.

Attendance Policy

You must attend class. The famous comedian/writer Woody Allen said, " Ninety percent of success of life is just showing up." He must have been referring to Economics classes. Students that miss class universally do poorly in Economics courses. This is because the content is applied learning and you can’t fake that. Note that the Economics Department policy is to not drop students for lack of attendance; thus, if a student does not attend class, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the course.

The missed in-class activities and tests policy is simple. A student who is absent may not make up the in-class points. Also, a student who misses an exam without a prior arrangement, takes a 0 for that test score. The only exception to these rules are documented medical situations.

Availability

I have office hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:15 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m. Also, I am available by appointment. That being said, I get to class ten minutes early and typically stay around for ten minutes after, so most questions can be taken up at that time.

Also, I check my Canvas messages and JCCC email daily.

Additional Information

I make extensive use of the college’s Canvas learning management platform. There you will find copies of all handouts and PowerPoints as well as the up to the minute gradebook.

I do not allow cellphones in the classroom unless we are doing an in-class activity (such as Socrative) that uses it. Thus, all phones need to be shut off (or silenced) and put away during class.