Fall 2026
Principles of Microeconomics
Instructor: Brian Lynch
Email: lynchb@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6015
Office Hours: 7-8 am 9.30-11.30 Mon-Thurs
Additional Contact Information: You can also email me through the blackboard message feature
Analysis of the behavior of individual economic agents, including consumer behavior and demand, producer behavior and supply, price and output decisions by firms under various market structures, factor markets, market failures, and international trade
This is an E-book. The title is Principles of Microeconomics- 5th Edition- Mateer and Coppock
9781324115274. There will be no codes, no special software to upload. You will log into the course, and there will be a simple link that once you click on it, it will take to you the book. The e-book is necessary to complete most of the assignments in this course.
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
All of your exams will be taken online. You will be taking them using the proctoring feature- Respondus Lockdown Browser. You will need a working webcam. If your device does not come with one, they are fairly inexpensive to purchase. This may seem stressful and overwhelming. However, I feel it is the best way to ensure that there is academic honesty in the course. It is important to have internet access to take this course.
You will need to have access to a webcam in order to take the exams online.
All of your exams will be taken online. You will be taking them using the proctoring feature- Respondus Lockdown Browser. You will need a working webcam. If your device does not come with one, they are fairly inexpensive to purchase. This may seem stressful and overwhelming. However, I feel it is the best way to ensure that there is academic honesty in the course. It is important to have internet access to take this course.
So, what if you don’t want to take your test on your device-
1.Then you have the testing center on port arthur campus-(they are amazing).
Their hours are Monday - Friday 8 am-5 pm. However, you need to let me know first. Then, I contact the testing center to make sure they have an opening. And then you make the appointment. Once you are good to go, you can call them at 409-984-6265
2.Borrow a friend or relative's device. It is only for 4 tests! So please do not overstress it.
3.Go to your local library and see if they have a laptop you can borrow and use while you are there
4.This is an awesome option-----You can access the loan page at
https://www.lamarpa.edu/about/college-operations/information-technology/laptop-loan-program.html
Then scroll all the way down until you see Step 1 Part 1. Fill out the online form, and then submit. Please note that there is only a limited amount, so it is on a first come first served basis
Please download the Blackboard and Outlook apps to your phone and stay logged into your LSCPA accounts in order to receive proper notifications of assignments and announcements.
Madison Monroe Educational Building, Room 220
Hours of Operation Fall Semester
Monday -Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Email address: HelpDesk@lamarpa.edu and Phone number: (409) 984-6150
If you need to fill out a ticket to contact them after normal operating hours, access their website ticket
If it is a Blackboard question:
Phone: 936-496-5379
Email: bbhelp@lamarpa.edu (Blackboard is available 24/7)
| Learning Objective | Associated Activities / Assignments / Projects |
|---|---|
| Explain scarcity, specialization, opportunity cost, and cost/benefit analysis in decision‑making. | Students will be tested on these foundational concepts. |
| Identify determinants of supply and demand; demonstrate effects of shifts on equilibrium price/output. | Students complete adaptive assignments applying scenarios and manipulating graphs. |
| Summarize diminishing marginal utility; describe utility maximization. | Students complete tables/graphs showing marginal utility and maximum utility. |
| Calculate elasticities; identify determinants; show relationship between elasticity and total revenue. | Students calculate elasticities in practice and graded assignments. |
| Describe production function and diminishing marginal productivity; calculate/graph short‑run and long‑run costs. | Students complete a writing assignment analyzing production levels and costs. |
| Identify four market structures; calculate/graph profit‑maximizing price/quantity using marginal analysis. | Students discuss market structures in short answers/discussion posts. |
| Determine profit‑maximizing price/quantity of resources in factor markets under competition. | Students complete adaptive assignments identifying profit‑maximizing outcomes. |
| Describe government efforts to address market failure (monopoly power, externalities, public goods). | Students write short‑answer responses on public goods provision. |
| Identify benefits of free trade using comparative advantage. | Students read and comment on articles regarding free trade. |
| . |
| Outcome Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Communication Skills | Demonstrate effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and/or visual communication. |
| Content Knowledge | Recall facts, explain principles and theories, and apply factual knowledge, principles, and theories to solve problems in a specific discipline. |
| Critical Thinking Skills | Use creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information. |
| Empirical and Quantitative Skills | Apply the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. |
| Personal Responsibility Skills | Integrate choices, actions, and consequences in ethical decision-making. |
| Social Responsibility Skills | Express intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. |
| Teamwork Skills | Show the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal. |
| Chapter Number | Chapter Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Five Foundations of Economics |
| 2 | Model Building and Gains from Trade |
| 3 | The Market at Work: Supply and Demand |
| 4 | Elasticity |
| 6 | Price Controls |
| 7 | Market Inefficiencies: Externalities and Public Goods |
| 8 | Business Costs and Production |
| 9 | Firms in a Competitive Market |
| 10 | Understanding Monopoly |
| 12 | Monopolistic Competition and Advertising |
| 14 | The Demand and Supply of Resources |
| 16 | Consumer Choice |
| Chapter Number | Chapter Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Five Foundations of Economics |
| 2 | Model Building and Gains from Trade |
| 3 | The Market at Work: Supply and Demand |
| Test 1 | |
| 4 | Elasticity |
| 6 | Price Controls |
| 7 | Market Inefficiencies: Externalities and Public Goods |
| Test 2 | |
| 8 | Business Costs and Production |
| 9 | Firms in a Competitive Market |
| 10 | Understanding Monopoly |
| Test 3 | |
| 12 | Monopolistic Competition and Advertising |
| 14 | The Demand and Supply of Resources |
| 16 | Consumer Choice |
| Test 4 / Final Exam |
The assignment schedule can be found in the course content of your blackboard section.The assignment schedule will also be distributed in class on the first day
Instructor reserves the right to add or change assignments during semester. It is the student's responsibility to be active within the course and stay current with due dates as posted within the course.
Deadline for Final Exam is December 9 11:55 pm
The total for the course is 878 points.
| Letter Grade | Percent Range | Point Range (out of 806) |
A | 90–100% | 791–878 |
B | 80–89% | 703–790 |
C | 70–79% | 615–702 |
D | 60–69% | 527–614 |
F | Below 60% | 0–526 |
Homework: 422
Tests: 341
Discussion 95
Creative Writing 20
The Blackboard course content page for the course has everything broken down by dates and chapters
Instructor reserves the right to add or change assignments during semester. It is the student's responsibility to be active within the course and stay current with due dates as posted within the course
Please note that your grade will always be updated in Blackboard after an assignment is graded. That gives you the opportunity to verify your grade, and to contact me if you have questions
All Email Communication must come from an @lamarpa.edu email address from the student enrolled in this course. I am unable to respond to any emails from outside parties.
I will respond to emails through official avenues only, this includes office phone, lamarpa.edu email and Bookings messages and meeting requests.
DO NOT add or message me on ANY social media platform.
Emails: Must contain the students name, class section, and a detailed description of their question written in complete sentences. Please include screenshots when appropriate.
I will not discuss your grade via email
Make-up Work Policy
Given that lives can get really busy, and things pop up- I am issuing 3 extension passes. That means you can turn in the assignment/exam by the next deadline period and not get a zero. You will need to email me ahead of the deadline and inform me you are wanting to use it. If you inform me after the original deadline, you cannot use it. If your inability to contact me is due to a personal or medical emergency, please note that it is at my discretion to let you use the extension passes.
You will receive 2 extra credit for passes you have left at the end of the semester .You are responsible for completing your work around your other time commitments.
When you cultivate these habits, it can provide excellent training for your professional life.
You have chosen to enroll in this course. The expectation is that you will work diligently to get your work done.
Plan your activities carefully.
Be mentally flexible.
Start your homework early and develop solid work.
Avoid procrastination and drama.
Learn from your mistakes.
Hold yourself accountable.
Extra Credit: DO NOT ask for extra credit. You will have it available for the extension passes. Other than that, you will have plenty of opportunities given the number of assignments to do well in the course.
Any graded assignment in this class must be written by the student enrolled in the class without any outside help. A first offense will result in a 0 grade for the assignment, and a second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense
Academic Dishonesty: Do not copy from another student, or do you share your work with another student. The first offense will result in a 0 grade for the assignment, and a second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense. If you have completed a test and share information with another student, you and that student will receive a zero on the test. A second offence will result in failure of the course. Ignorance is not a defense.
Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.
Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCPA Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.
Recommended Device for This Course This course is designed to be completed on a laptop or desktop computer. Students frequently miss important information, instructions, or assignments when using mobile devices (phones/tablets). For best results, use a full computer whenever possible.
Software & Technical Requirements Students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required course materials, including software, e-books, access codes, and any other tools needed to complete readings, assignments, and activities.
Reliable internet access is required for this course. If you lack consistent access at home, use the open computer lab on the LSCPA campus.
Computer failure, software issues, or lack of internet access are NOT acceptable excuses for missed assignments, projects, quizzes, exams, or other coursework.
Drop/Withdrawal Policy
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.