Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - ECON 220W D300

Communication in Economics (4)

Class Number: 2764

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 with a minimum grade of C-, minimum 30 units and no more than 80 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examine and review today's global economy through critical analysis of differing perspectives. Develop techniques and strategies for clear and effective written and oral communication of economic ideas. Improve critical and analytical thinking via the application of core principles to news stories or other economic data in writing and presentations. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Calendar Description:
Examine and review today's global economy through critical analysis of differing perspectives. Develop techniques and strategies for clear and effective written and oral communication of economic ideas. Improve critical and analytical thinking via the application of core principles to news stories or other economic data in writing and presentations

Course Structure
This course will have two sequential parts. The first six weeks of classes (part A) will be taught by Sepideh Fotovatian and will focus on mastering reading comprehension and writing skills/strategies. The second half of the course (i.e., Week 7 to Week 14 or part B) will be taught by Maliha Nazir and will focus on reading comprehension and writing skills within an economic context.

Readings:
The following readings will be discussed in the class session. The students must read it before coming to the class. Similar articles will be assigned for the tutorial sessions. The students are required to answer the questions on paper and submit it to the TA. The readings are not graded. They are important to get a good score on the quizzes and the final exam.
Week 7 Reading: “Thousands are flying”. (2024 May 04). The Economist, 451, 63-64.
Week 8 Readings: Breaking the rules. (2023 Sep 23). The Economist, 448, 66.
Week 9 Reading: “How food banks use markets to feed the poor”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 31, no. 4, fall 2017.
Week 10 Readings: “Climate change is coming for America’s property market”, The Economist, Sep 21st 2023 and “Parts of America are becoming uninsurable”, The Economist, Sep 21st 2023.
Week 11 Reading: “A new study shows how much social capital matters”, The Economist, Aug 1st 2022.
Week 12-13 Readings: “Why Argentina’s inflation is up over 100% again,” Washington Post, April 6th, 2023 and “Argentina needs to default, not dollarize”, the Economist, Sep 7th 2023.
E-mail correspondence
Emails should be limited to critical matters, and should include the course number in the subject line. Questions on course material should be asked during office hours or in class.
I will get back to you within two business days.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Week Topic Due dates
Week 7: Oct.14-18 Oct. 14- Thanksgiving holiday
Thinking like an economist		  
Week 8: Oct.21-25 Researching Economics  
Week 9: Oct.28-Nov.1 Reading Economics Literature Assignment 1- Oct. 28
Quiz 1- Oct. 30
Week 10: Nov.4-8 Writing Conventions in Economics Assignment 2-Nov. 4
Quiz 2-Nov. 6
Week 11: Nov. 11-15 Nov. 11- Remembrance day
Integrating, citing, and documenting sources		 Assignment 3-Nov. 13
Week 12: Nov.18-22 Genres of Writing in Economics Quiz 3-Nov.18
Week 13: Nov.25-29 Academic Writing Assignment 4-Nov. 25
Week 14: Dec.2 Review Quiz 4-Dec. 2

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, a successful learner will demonstrate the ability to:
•Write a well-constructed paragraph
•Write a summary that presents information concisely, clearly, and accurately
•Extract the key economic argument(s) from an article
•Read and analyze an article to write an essay of argument

Grading

NOTES:

Grading Info

-Part A (50% of the overall grade)
Four assignments: 10% each (40% total)
Engagement in weekly discussions: 10%

-Part B (50% of the overall grade)
Assignments 20%
Quizzes 15%
Final Exam 15%

Part B Assignments:
There will be four assignments of 5% each. The assignments will be based on written components.

Part B Quizzes:
There will be four quizzes of 5% each and the quiz with the lowest score will be dropped. The quizzes will be held during the class session. The quizzes will be based on reading, analyzing and writing components.

Part B Final Exam:
The final exam carries 15% weight towards the grade. The final exam will be based on reading articles. The questions will be based on summarizing, paraphrasing, extracting the key economic argument, etc. The reading and writing exercises during the class sessions and tutorials will help you prepare well for the final exam.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Bernhardt,S. & Sommers, N. A Guide to Writing in Economics, 2021, Bedford/St. Martin's Macmillan Learning

RECOMMENDED READING:

Neugeboren, R. H., The Student’s Guide to Writing Economics, 2005, Routledge

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.