ECON 17 “An Economic Approach to Religion”

1 Contacts and References

2 Course Objectives and Learning Goals

2.1       My “UCI” Learning Goals

This course teaches how basic principles from economics yield a greater understanding of religious behavior. We will learn economic concepts step-by-step, use them to develop theories and predictions about various aspects of religion, and review evidence in support of these theories. Simple ideas and clear examples will bring to light very interesting aspects of religious phenomena.

By the end of the quarter, you should have accomplished the following UCI learning goals:

● Understand how economic thinking can be applied to understand religion.

● Carry out economic analysis — via analytical thinking and data analysis — to deepen that understanding of religion.

● Investigate and engage with religion in the world today.

To aid in achieving these learning goals, the course content focuses on ten principles of the Economics of Religion. The book chapters, lecture videos, quizzes, assignments, and group project are designed to deepen your understanding of these principles and accomplish the learning goals mentioned above.

2.2       The Top 10 Principles of the Economics of Religion

This list provides the top 10 principles and the associated book chapters/lecture units and related assignments.

3 Student Conduct

3.1       Inclusive Excellence

This course is committed to inclusive excellence. Students from all backgrounds are welcome in the course, and creating a safe place for all students to express opinions is a responsibility we all share. Comments in discussion sections are encouraged, and opinions should be expressed in a manner that is respectful of others.

3.2       Academic Integrity

It is UCI policy that:

All students are expected to complete a course in compliance with the Instructor's standards. No studentshall engage in any activity involving any Academic

Integrity Policy Violations. No studentshall engage in any activity that involves attempting to receive a grade by means other than honest effort, and shall not aid another student who is attempting to do so.

Academic integrity violations include (but are not limited to) cheating, dishonest conduct, plagiarism, and collusion. I take these violations very seriously. Any academic integrity violations will result in a reduced grade in the course. I also report all violations to the campus, and the campus may enforce additional penalties.

To see more about about UCI policy on academic integrity, visit:

● https://aisc.uci.edu/students/academic-integrity/index.php

● https://guides.lib.uci.edu/citations/plagiarism

3.4       Using ChatGPT/LLM/AI

You may use ChatGPT or an LLM or other AI on any assignment at your discretion if you adhere to the following for each assignment you use an LLM/AI:

●   You must state which LLM/AI you used.

●   You must also summarize how you used it. That is, you must state what prompts you gave it, how you revised its output for your submission, what follow-up prompts you used, etc.

Note: LLM/AIs have a tendency to make up incorrect facts or make improper citations, so do not assume that any answers provided by an LLM/AI are good answers. You must evaluate the quality of the output to determine whether to use it in your answers. Obtaining the best answers  will usually require a process of repeated interaction with the LLM/AI to refine the quality of its answers. You are responsible for all content you turn in, regardless of whether you used an LLM/AI.

3.3       Distribution of Course Materials

Section 102.23 of “Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students” states the following is grounds for discipline:

Selling, preparing, or distributing for any commercial purpose course lecture notes or video or audio recordings of any course unless authorized by the

University in advance and explicitly permitted by the course instructor in writing. The unauthorized sale or commercial distribution of course notes or recordings by a student is a violation of these Policies whether or not it was the student or     someone else who prepared the notes or recordings.

Please note that I own the copyright on all materials, so do not record or distribute any course materials, including lecture notes, assignments, etc.  I do not authorize it.

3.4       Drops

It is a policy of the Department of Economics that all drops from the course must be made by 4:59 p.m. on Friday during Week 2.

3.5       Communication

If you have a question about the course syllabus, materials, or content, please ask your question in the Canvas Discussion Forum. Using the forum allows all of the students to see the question and the response, and so all students will benefit.  If you have a question about a personal matter, then please contact Prof. McBride directly via email.

4 Grades

4.1       Grade Weighting

Your total class percentage is calculated as follows:

4.2       Grading Scale

Your final grade is determined by where your total class percentage fits into this grading scale:

A+ ≥ 96.7 % > A ≥ 93.3% >= A- ≥ 90.0% > B+ ≥ 86.7 % > B ≥ 83.3% >= B- ≥ 80.0% >

C+ ≥ 76.7 % > C ≥ 73.3% >= C- ≥ 70.0% > D+ ≥ 66.7 % > D ≥ 63.3% >= D- ≥ 60.0% > F.

5 Student Participation

5.1       Modules

The modules help to accomplish the U, C, and I goals of the UCI learning goals.

The modules are arranged by week, with the module for the upcoming week being made available at the end of the prior week. The content in the modules is arranged sequentially so that you can easily work through the course material in order. Each item in a module has a designated day(s) to complete the item. You can stay on track during the quarter by completing the items on  the designated day(s).

5.2       Assigned MM Readings

The assigned readings from the book (MM) help to accomplish the U goal of the UCI learning goals

The master schedule (see below in the syllabus) has been provided to help you pace yourself on the MM readings.

5.3       Asynchronous Lecture Videos

The lecture videos help to accomplish the U goal of the UCI learning goals.

The master schedule (see below in the syllabus) has been provided to help you pace yourself on the lecture videos. The lecture number corresponds to the associated MM book chapters. For example, Lectures 3A, 3B, and so on correspond to chapter 3 in MM. There is also a Synthesis video for each of the ten principles. Lecture Video 3H is the first synthesis video.

5.4       Lecture Outlines Handouts

The lecture outline handouts help to accomplish the U goal of the UCI learning goals.

Research studies have shown that students learn the material better when they are provided with outlines of the lectures rather than with the entire lecture content or with nothing. Having an incomplete handout allows you to see the broader scope of the lecture while also encouraging you to make your own conceptual connections during the lectures. This active engagement has a significant positive effect on learning. Research has also shown that writing (rather than typing) is the most effective way of retaining and mastering the material.

With this research in mind, I provide you with lecture handouts that you can use while you watch the lecture videos. My recommendation is that you print out the lecture notes and write (with pen or pencil) your notes to fill out the handout as you watch the lecture videos.  But you can type your notes if you prefer.

5.5       In-person, Synchronous Discussion Sections

The in-person discussion sections help to accomplish the U, C, and I goals of the UCI learning goals, with a strong focus on the C goal.

Discussion sections will begin to meet in Week 2.  The sections are designed to be “hands-on” experience. During the section you will work on your individual and team assignments under the direction of your Teaching Assistant.

5.6 Quizzes

The quizzes help to accomplish the U goal of the UCI learning goals.

The quiz questions assess your comprehension of course policies and content. You may use your book, notes, or other course materials while taking a quiz, but you must take the quiz individually without the assistance of another person.

5.7       Check-ins

The check-ins help to accomplish the C and I goals of the UCI learning goals.

The check-ins are brief, short-response questionnaires in which you provide an update on your progress on assignments and other aspects of the course.

5.8       Individual Assignments

The four individual assignments help to accomplish the C and I goals of the UCI learning goals.

You will work on the individual assignments on your own and during the in-person discussion sections under the direction of your Teaching Assistant.

The assignment will be provided to you in google doc format. To complete the assignment, you will fill in your answers in the document, make a pdf once your answers are complete, and then  submit the pdf via Canvas by the assignment due date and time.