Eric Doviak  Doviak.net 
Economics and Public Policy Analysis
 
Working Papers:
 
Income Inequality
 
Health Insurance
 
Ridge Regression
 
 
For Students:
 
Graduate MACRO
 
DEVELOPMENT
 
TRADE
 
INTRO
 
intro lecture notes
 
MICRO
 
micro lecture notes
 
MACRO
 
macro lecture notes
 
 
Economic Links 
 
email me
  
Intro 100 at BMCC
M,W 7:00-8:15 in N403 -- Ts,Th 5:30-6:45 in M1206 -- Ts,Th 7:20-8:35 pm in M1113
Office hours: before or after class or by appointment  
 
Message Board
   
I am not teaching this course right now, but I have left links to my notes and other course materials below. Hopefully, you or someone else will find them useful. A word of caution however:  Like everyone else, I make mistakes. I am aware of most of the errors, but I simply haven't had time to fix them.
...
 
message board with all old messages -- click HERE 
 
 
Links and Files
 
NOTE: To view a PDF file you need Sumatra PDF Viewer. If you do not already have it, please click HERE to obtain a FREE copy.
 

Objectives of this Course
 
This course has two sets of objectives: practical and academic. The practical objectives aim to teach you how to apply mathematics and economics in daily life. The academic objectives (which are listed with the class schedule) aim to teach you basic macroeconomics.
 
The practical objectives consist of:
  • enabling you to interpret graphs and equations, both mathematically and intuitively,
  • developing your logical thinking skills,
  • teaching you how independent variables affect dependent variables and
  • helping you apply the concept of opportunity cost, marginalism and efficient markets in everyday life.
 
Knowledge of algebra: Algebra is not a prerequisite for this course, but it is a prerequisite for a successful professional career. I will not require you to solve math problems on the exams, but I will require you to understand and interpret the math that is in your textbook. To help you, I will conduct a review of basic algebra during the first few lectures. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.
 
     Course Requirements
     
    Your final grade will be determined by a weighted average of a mid-term exam (35 percent), a final exam (45 percent) and the quality of your class participation (20 percent). 

    The exams will require your to write short essays on the course material. 

    In evaluating the quality of your class participation, I will consider: 

    1. your attitude towards the course material,
    2. how well you demonstrate an understanding of the required readings and homework assignments and
    3. how often you ask intelligent questions in class. 

    Saying "I don't understand" and explaining what you don't understand and why you don't understand it is one of the most intelligent things you can do. It demonstrates curiosity and interest in the course material. By contrast, sitting in silence when you don't understand is one of the dumbest things you can do.