Syllabus
| Description | Objectives | Prerequisites | Grading | Academic Integrity | Text |
The application of economic
analysis to urban and regional areas. Topics
include the theory underlying urbanization and
the location of economic activity, the
methodology utilized to analyze urban and
regional economies, and problems and policies
related to urban areas, such as housing, poverty,
transportation, crime, and local public finance.
Special attention will be given to the San Diego
metropolitan area.
The objectives of this course
are to:
- show how basic economic
principles can be applied to the analysis
of urban phenomenon.
- understand the theory developed to
evaluate the impact of spatial
relationships.
- become familiar with
sources of urban data and methods of data
analysis.
- analyze in economic terms
urban institutions such as the housing
market and local government.
- examine the economic basis
of urban problems and the policies
designed to solve them.
ECON 11 (Principles of
Microeconomics) - You should be familiar with
supply and demand analysis, production and cost
theory, and market structures.
It will also be helpful if you
know some basic spreadsheet concepts such as
entering data and printing worksheets.
Grades will be based on the
following:
There will be three tests
(each worth 14% of your grade) during the
semester and a final exam (28%). Each test
will consist of multiple choice, short
answer, problem, and graphing questions. If
you miss a test during the semester, you have
two options: (1) If you have a written
excuse, you may take a makeup exam during the
next class following the exam, or (2) you can
write a
paper about a topic
covered in the missed exam. The
second option can only be exercised once, so
be careful about its use. The final must
be taken at the time indicated, so please
make sure there are no conflicts.
A number of different approaches can be
taken for the term project, including a
research paper, an applied project, use of
alternative media, or Community Service
Learning. See the Assignments section for more details.
- Data Analysis Assignments
(10%)
There will be two
assignments requiring the gathering and
analysis of data from the Internet. The use
of spreadsheets will be required, but nothing
more than the entering of data. See the Assignments section for more details.
There will be ample
opportunities to earn extra credit in the
class. See the Assignments section for more details.
Ethical behavior is expected at all times.
From the Undergraduate Bulletin: "Academic
dishonesty is an affront to the integrity of
scholarship at USD an a threat to the quality of
learning. . . Violations of academic integrity
include: a) unauthorized assistance on an
examination; b) falsification or invention of
data; c) unauthorized collaboration on an
academic exercise; d) plagiarism; e)
misappropriation of research materials; f) any
unauthorized access to an instructor's files or
computer account; or g) any other serious
violation of academic integrity as established by
the instructor. An act of dishonesty can lead to
penalties in a course such as reduction of grade;
withdrawal from the course; a requirement that
all or part of a course be retaken; and a
requirement that additional work be undertaken in
connection with the course."
Arthur O'Sullivan. Urban
Economics,
5th Edition, Irwin McGraw-Hill, 2003. |
 |
|
