AGEC 1113 SYLLBAUS
INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
Instructor: Dr. Bailey Norwood
Note about syllabus: I do not hand out hard copies of syllabus because I want this to be the one and only reference. That way, if I change or add something I will do so here, always in red font, so that it will be obvious.
All information about my contact information, how to arrange an appointment, and the class website are provided at my website fbaileynorwood.com. Note that this site also has an online calendar showing you due dates and everything. Because I'm usually in the office I don't have formal office hours, but you may drop by anytime unannounced. If you want to make sure I will be in the office I encourage you to make an appointment.
Class time and location: AGH 101; MWF 12:30-1:20.
Teaching Assistants:.
- Cara Stephens (caraej2@gmail.com)
Location: AGH 314
Office Hours: M,W 10:30-11:30 - Kelyn Jacques (kelyn.jacques@okstate.edu)
Location: AGH419318
Office hours on M,W 1:30-2:30; T,Th 10:30-11:30; and F 10:30-11:30.
SI tutoring sessions with Chris Isaac in 105 Gundersen Hall
Monday 5-5:50
Tuesday 7-7:50
Wednesday 7-7:50
Independent office hours in Ag Hall 419 are
Monday 1:30-3:30
Tuesday 1:00-3:00
Wednesday 1:30 to 3:30
Thursday 1:00-3:00
What is this class about? You know what agriculture is, but probably have little idea what economics is about. Think of all the things you consume. Now think of all of those things you consume that you made yourself. There was probably very little overlap, and that is because you will get most everything in your life by trading with other people. You will work producing things for other people, and they will give you money for your effort, which you will then use to buy things produced by others. Most of your life then depends upon trading with others, mostly strangers. That is what economics is about.
Required readings:
(1) Free online textbook at
http://seedsppp.blogspot.com/2012/12/agec-1114-homepage.html Because this website must comply with Fair Use laws I need some control over who accesses it, so students must login to Google to access the website. To start
with, I'm asking all students to use the same login information, below. If it turns out you cannot all share the same login information I'll create unique accounts for everyone and/or use any Gmail account you already have.
user: studentsofbailey@gmail.com
password: brahms4321
(2) Food Police by Jayson Lusk.
Class topics and announcements: All announcements and our progress through the textbook chapters will always be posted at http://ageconseeds.blogspot.com/ (this site has a rss you may subscribe to), which can also be accessed at fbaileynorwood.com
How class begins
Students will be randomly selected (and posted in the class announcements) to begin each class, where they must stand in front of class and deliver inspiring words of wisdom. You will know well in advance of your assigned day, and please be prepared to present to the class before the assigned day, in case the person that day is absent. Bring your remarks hand-written to submit to me, with your name on it. Each student will be assigned one of the following categories of remarks, and you must present the category specifically assigned to you. If students begin packing their books towards the end of class while I am still talking (unless it is 1:20) I will begin assigning those students to end the class with words of wisdom.
(1) Personal words of inspiration about how to live a moral, meaningful life. This can be original words of the student, or a quote from an external source (if external, the source must be mentioned; religious quotes are acceptable as long as they aren’t antagonistic toward other religions).
(2) Words of wisdom from their parent or a respected adult about how to handle one’s personal finances to avoid excess debt, insufficient savings, and the like.
(3) Words of wisdom from their parent or respected adult on how to develop and maintain a healthy relationship with one’s spouse.
(4) Words of wisdom from their parent or respected adult about what careers students should consider to earn a comfortable income while also enjoying their job.
Grading
Your final numerical grade for the class is determined by the following formula:
Final Numerical Grade = (0.7)(average exam grade, dropping lowest grade) + (0.2)(class paper grade) + (0.05)(attendance grade) + (0.05)(homework grade, dropping two three lowest homeworks)
The correspondence of your numerical to letter grade is as follows:
- A: 90-100
- B: 80-89
- C: 70-79
- D: 60-69
- F: < 60
Attendance: is taken by passing around a class roll and each student signing next to their printed name. We will compare your signature to your signature on other dates. Absences do not have to penalize you though. Your attendance grade equals the percent of classes you attend. For each class missed, students may listen to one Planet Money podcast and write a 600 word outline of the episode. It must be turned into the TAs within two weeks of the absence. The outline should make clear you listened to the entire episode, and must be written well. Students who have begun a class may miss one class without penalty (and without having to listen to a podcast).
Homeworks: Are conducted using Google forms, which is like an online survey. I will provide a link to the
form and you must go to the link and answer the questions. One question will be your password (used for this class only), and that is how I
make sure someone else isn’t submitting answers on your behalf without your consent. This password will be given to you on a sheet of paper on the first day of class. We answer most of the homework questions in class, so this should be a part of class where everyone performs
well. You can drop your two three lowest homeworks.
Exams: There are four exams: three normal exams plus a semi-cumulative final. I say “semi-” cumulative because it will contain material from the three exams, but you will be told which material, so you won’t have to study everything we did the whole semester. For all exams students may use one cheat sheet, provided it is written by hand, is not a photo-copy of someone else’s sheet, is a single 8 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet, and is written on one side only. Each cheat sheet must contain the students printed name on the blank side and must be submitted with the exam. You may drop your lowest exam grade.
Class paper: You must read Food Police by Jayson Lusk and write a paper about it. Details on the paper assignment are available here.
This OSU Syllabus Attachment applies to all OSU courses.
