Extra Homework Points

Since homework sets were all evaluated at 1 or 2 points each, there is a shortfall in homework points for the semester. The syllabus calls for 15 homework points.

Section -006:

There were 12 possible homework points earned this semester. Everyone automatically gets 3 free homework points.

Section -008:

There were 13 possible homework points (one "quiz" point is included). Everyone automatically gets 2 free homework points.

For participation credit, each class had two "in class activities" points. In addition to these two points you have a possible 3 more points. These points are "subjective" and will be assigned by the instructor. The 3 points are not automatic.

Good luck preparing for the final. For those who did not get the review information handout in class, it is available on the I-drive.

The practice problems are not ready yet. I hope to have them for you later tonight but in reality, they probably won't be available until sometime Friday.

JJ

Section 006 apology

I'm sorry that I used strong language to describe those who were leaving while I was distributing the exam review document. I take back that term I used.

However, in my defense, I checked my clock which is auto set by Verizon and it was 12:12 when I began handing out the papers. As I was speaking about the exam several people gathered their stuff and began to exit.

Clearly, you have freedom of exit. However, (a) it was a distraction while I was speaking; (b) class was still in session.

So although I take back the strong language, I will say to those of you guilty of the early exit attempt, it was quite inconsiderate.

Thank you.

That said, you were a pretty cool class. I enjoyed it a lot. I had great classes this semester. It's classes like these that make me proud and comfortable to be at IUP! Good luck on your finals.

JJ

Submitting the Extra Credit

This blog post is relevant for both sections of Jack Julian's Econ 122 classes (section 006 TR 11 a.m. and section 008 TR 2 p.m.).

IMPORTANT: I will NOT accept any papers via email.

Technically, the papers are due in class on Thursday. However, I am willing to accept your paper until "the close of business" in the Department of Economics. Typically, the office closes at 4:30 p.m. Until that time you will be able to drop it off at my office. There will be a box or a file folder or something outside my office door where you may place the completed paper.

If you have not been to my office, it is 213-B McElhaney Hall. The office is in the main suite of the Department of Economics (213 McElhaney). It is not difficult to find. It is on the top floor of the building. There are a few classrooms, the Office of the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Department of Economics. Once you enter the main entry to the department offices, my office is to the left, end of the hallway. The secretary can help guide you to my office. Do not leave the paper with the secretary. It is not her job to collect papers.

Why I won't accept emailed papers: I will need to have a hard copy for marking up and reading. This is a cost traditionally borne by the student.

Why I won't accept late papers: The deadline may be rather arbitrary but I have to cut it off at some point. I don't want this paper hanging over your head as you need to prepare for finals, including the one in this class. I know you can make your own choices as to what works best for you, time-resource allocation-wise, but I also need to allocate time to grading them. Come finals week I'll need to be preoccupied with scoring those. I hope to be able to get your extra credit papers scored so that it can be returned at the final exam. Please don't try to negotiate this.

Good luck. The paper really shouldn't be that difficult, but you need to do a good job. I know this isn't an English class but it is a college class. At this point you should know how to write a good paper.

Updated Scores

I have updated scores and a current distribution of grades on the I-drive. The list is sorted but the last four digits of your banner ID. The grade distribution is in terms of points accumulated out of the "maximum", which is at the bottom of the list. There are also a few descriptive statistics available.

The scores do not contain any extra credits assignments.

Each homework counts as one or two points (depending on the assignment) and approximately two "participation credit" points in each class section I teach.

In calculating points out of 20 percentage points for your test, you take your raw score of the test, divide by the maximum possible points on the test (typically 35, although I think the first test was out of 40 points). Then multiply by 20.

for example, if you got a 26 out of 35 on the third test, your points out of 20 is:

(26 / 35) X 20 = 14.86

If you have any questions about your grade or your standing, please stop by the office. (I don't like having specific chats about grades over email or AIM.) But you can use the scale wisely, to determine if you feel you are close enough to a higher letter grade. Someone with, say, a score falling into the low B range, although it may not be mathematically impossible, it might be heroic to think you are able to move into the A range, given your past performance on tests. But someone near a higher grade bracket may benefit from extra effort and extra credit.

To be realistic, those with C grades, you're really not likely at this point to be able to get an A. Too many "bad" things would have to happen (you ace the final and everyone else does horrible). I'm not wanting to build up any bubbles here. But I feel I am going over the top to explain the scaling, how it works, and how much you might have to work to secure the grade you're wanting or salvaging.

If this sounds harsh, well, it is just not easy to sugar coat. I do my best to allocate grades in a difficulty-adjusted manner. I think you can tell that the curve is generally quite generous.

Good luck finishing up the semester.

Look at an earlier blog entry for information on the extra credit assignment.

Extra Credit paper

This posting is relevant to both sections of Prof. Julian's Econ 122.

There is a document on the I-drive called Econ 122-6 Alt Assign or 122-8 Alt Assign that is the "alternate assignment" from the missed class Tuesday, April 13.

The due date is Thursday, April 29.

Answer key to sample problems for test 3

Here is the answer key I came up with. Let me know if you think any of them are incorrect. (It might serve you well to check back later or in the morning in case any changes are made.) Also, make sure you read he previous post from today.

1-D, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A, 5-C, 6-D, 7-C,
8-A, 9-D, 10-B, 11-A, 12-B, 13-B,
14-B, 15-B, 1-B, 17-A, 18-B,
19-B, 20-C*, 21-C, 22-A, 23-D, 24-C,
25-B, 26-D, 27-D, 28-A, 29-C, 30-B, 31-C

*remember, when talking about price elasticity we speak in terms of absolute values.

I'm sorry for the delay.

Test update

This post if for both sections of Econ 122 with Dr. Julian (-006 and -008).

Please give me a few hours to post the key to the sample problems on the I-drive.

Also, I left work early Wednesday a bit ill and I was unable to get the answer key for the 7th homework posted. I'm really sorry. I'm not sure if I'm able to get that posted.

If someone from section -008, the 2:00 class, who knows they wrote it up nice and had good diagrams wishes to scan and email their document to me, I'd be happy to post that on the I-drive for the benefit of others. Homework 7 was the same for both sections, however class section 008 got theirs back.

And for those who missed class on Tuesday, please check the I-drive for a document that offers an alternative to the regular written problem for Test 3. There are extra credit possibilities involved.

Remember, if using your home computer, make sure you refresh the contents of the I-drive.

The key will be posted later here on this weblog. I'm sorry for the delay. The chemotherapy has limited my work hours a bit the last two days. (I'm off chemo for a week so I should be recharged in another day or two.)

Uh, if someone thinks they have the key you can email that to me. (I'll double check your answers before posting.)