Organization

Most students take Principles of Economics, ECON 2010 and ECON 2020, in a large-lecture format. The lectures are presented in CHM 402 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 and 12:30, with ECON 2010 (Principles of Microeconomics) offered in the fall and ECON 2020 (Principles of Macroeconomics) offered in the spring. These lectures are supplemented with weekly discussion sections in groups around 20 students, led by teaching assistants. The discussion sections last 50 minutes and lectures last an hour and fifteen minutes.

Mr. Elzinga presents the ECON 2010 lectures in the fall please read the ECON 2010 syllabus.

Mr. Coppock  presents the ECON 2020 lectures in the spring.

Please note: there are also several smaller sections of ECON 2010 and ECON 2020 (typically with enrollment of 30-60 students) offered every semester to accommodate students who are unable to register for the larger sections or prefer a smaller class. These smaller sections are not accompanied by a discussion. Instead, students meet three hours a week with the instructor.

Registration

You can register for all economics courses using the Student Information System (SIS).

If you enroll in either of the large sections of ECON 2010 or ECON 2020 (which meet in CHM 402), you must also enroll separately in a discussion section. SIS will issue you a reminder to that effect as you register. If you require assistance registering for a discussion section, you should contact the head teaching assistant at 924-7883.

Neither Mr. Elzinga nor Mr. Coppock keep waiting lists for the large sections of ECON 2010 and ECON 2020. If the lecture section is fully enrolled, you should continue to check SIS, since openings appear as students change their course schedules.

(If you enroll in one of the smaller sections of ECON 2010 or 2020, you will not need to register for a discussion section.)

Additional Information

The department recommends that you take ECON 2010 before ECON 2020, although it is not required. Typically, ECON 2020 requires the ability to apply the model of demand and supply, but devotes little time to its review. Those students who have not yet taken ECON 2010 are therefore somewhat disadvantaged and will find it more difficult to do well. Still, very good students can successfully complete the courses out of sequence.

If you have taken economics in high school, but have not received Advanced Placement credit, you should take ECON 2010 and ECON 2020 here.