COMM 220 Analysis of Markets

Summer 2012 Section CA

Tuesday and Thursday 18:30 21:00
Room: MB 2.210
Instructor: Sirage Alattas
Office: MB 12.280, 12.282
Email: salattas@jmsb.concordia.ca
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 17:00 18:00

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Description and Objectives:

A market exists where buyers wishing to exchange money for goods or services are in
contact with sellers wishing to exchange goods and services for money and hence
involves the fundamental economic forces of supply and demand. This course provides
perspective on the operation of the market mechanism and its role in the allocation of
both real and financial resources throughout the economy. The limitations of the market
system and the resulting need for occasional government intervention are also
discussed. The course objective is to provide students with an understanding of the key
economic concepts used in the analysis of markets as well as the ability to draw upon
these in application.
Role of COMM 220 in the Commerce Program:
COMM 220 builds upon the pre-requisite micro- and macro-economic courses students
have previously taken and develops an integrated conceptual framework for the
economic analysis needed in any future course concerned with the relationships
between firms, consumers, and the economic environment in which they operate. In
doing so, this course provides the necessary foundations for courses in areas such as
Finance, Management, Accounting, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship.
Required Text:
1. Robert S. Pindyck and Daniel L. Rubinfeld, (2009), Microeconomics, 7th Edition,
Prentice Hall.
2. Course pack: COMM 220 Analysis of Markets (Summer 2012).
Course Evaluation:

Class Tests (2)

Midterm Exam
Final Exam

20%
30%
50%

Tests and Exams:

No make-up class test or midterm exam will be allowed. If you miss a test or the
midterm for a valid and documented reason, you must provide the documentation
(i.e., the original of your doctor's note clearly stating the reasons why you cannot write
the test/midterm) within seven days of the test/midterm and the test/midterm weight
will be added to the final exam. If you miss a test or the midterm for an invalid
reason or you fail to submit the documentation within the specified time limit, you
will receive a zero for the test/midterm. The tests/exams are closed book exam and
only a non-programmable calculator is permitted. All cell phones, Tablets, Notebooks
and Laptops are to be turned off during the test/exam. A minimum grade of 40% on
the final exam is required to pass the course. Students cannot write a 100% final.
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Exam
Class Test 1
Midterm
Class Test 2
Final

Date

Chapters

July 5
July 17
July 31
TBA

1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3, 4, 6
7, 8, 9
Cumulative

I collect and keep all the exams. After you review your exam, if you have questions or
objections, please convey your questions and objections in writing. I will not respond to
your questions unless it is in writing.
Grading System:
A+
90 100
A
85 89
A80 84
FNS < 50

B+
B
B-

77 79
73 76
70 72

C+
C
C-

67 69
63 66
60 62

D+
D
D-

57 59
53 56
50 52

First Class:
We will use First Class to facilitate interaction. Each student should have access to the
course site via existing computer accounts. The client can be downloaded from
http://jmsb.concordia.ca; problems should be directed to FirstClassHelp@concordia.ca.
Student Responsibilities:
Read the assigned material before coming to class and prepared to participate in class
discussions. Please understand that the class time is very limited and the material to be
covered is very extensive; it is impossible to go over or even mention everything in
class. Therefore, it is crucial that you read the assigned chapters and do the end-ofchapter problems on your own. If you have any questions, you can come and discuss
them with me during office hours. You are responsible for what is covered in class and
any absence on your part leaves you responsible for finding out what was presented in
class.
Classroom Discipline:
It is important to observe silence and respect your classmates right to hear and benefit
from what is being said during class. Please turn your cell phones to silent mode and do
not use them in class. A student who distracts attention of other students by consistently
talking in classes will be asked to leave the room. For a second offence, the penalty
will be 15% off her/his final grade for the course.
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Tutorials:
There will be one 4-hour (2 hour per chapter) tutorials held in every week starting June
30, 2012. If there are any changes to the tutorial schedule, you will be advised through
FirstClass.
Day

Time

Location

Tutor

First
Tutorial

Last
Tutorial

12:00 - 2:00
Saturday
And
MB 3.210
Jose
June 30
Aug 11
3:00 - 5:00
Attending tutorials is not mandatory. However, you are strongly encouraged to attend
for your own benefit.
Tentative Schedule:
The schedule may change depending on class progress; any changes will be
announced in class. You are expected to read the assigned chapter(s) before coming to
class.
Session
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Readings from Textbook / Activity

Microeconomics: Chapters 11 & 2
Microeconomics: Chapters 2 & 3
Microeconomics: Chapters 3
Class Test 1 & Chapter 4

Date
June 26
June 28
July 3
July 5

Microeconomics: Chapter 4 & 6

Microeconomics: Chapter 6
Midterm Exam
Microeconomics: Chapter 7
Microeconomics: Chapter 8
Microeconomics: Chapter 9
Class Test 2 & Chapter 5

July 10
July 12
July 17
July 19
July 24
July 26
July 31

Comments / Notes
Omit 2.5
Omit 3.4 & 3.6
One Hour Test
beginning of class
Omit 4.2, 4.5 & 4.6
Time: 6:30 9:00
Omit 7.6 & 7.7
Omit 8.7 & 8.8
Omit 9.42 & 9.5
One Hour Test
beginning of class

at

at

Course pack: Chapter 4 , 5 and 6

Aug 2
Course pack: Chapter 19
Aug 7
Common Final Exam: Cumulative ( Aug 15 21)
1
Only section 1.3 will be covered in class. However, you are expected to read the entire
chapter so that you are familiar with the concepts used in the analysis of markets. If you
have trouble with any of the concepts, please feel free to meet me during office hours.
2
In Section 9.4 Price Support is part of the required content, and Production Quotas is
not.
12
13

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Disclaimer:
The instructor reserves the right to change or update this outline, and any other course
related materials, as required. The student will be informed in a timely manner through
announcements during class and/or FirstClass.

Academic Integrity:
The Code of Conduct (Academic) at Concordia University states that The integrity of
University academic life and of the degrees, diplomas and certificates the University
confers is dependent upon the honesty and soundness of the instructor-student learning
relationship and, in particular, that of the evaluation process. Therefore, for their part, all
students are expected to be honest in all of their academic endeavors and relationships
with the University. (Undergraduate Calendar 2011- 2012, section 17.10)
All students enrolled at Concordia are expected to familiarize themselves with the
contents of this Code. You are strongly encouraged to read the pertinent section in the
2010-2011 Concordia Undergraduate Calendar, and visit the following web address:
http://provost.concordia.ca/academicintegrity, both of which provide useful information
about proper academic conduct.

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