© Laudo M.
Ogura, August 11, 2011
Courses taught
Undergraduate level:
· at GVSU: Eco211 – Introductory Microeconomics, Fall 2005, Winter 2006, Fall 2006, Fall2007, Winter2009, Winter2010, Fall2010, Winter2011.
(current textbook: Microeconomics, by Hubbard and O’Brien 2009)
· at GVSU: Eco435 – Urban Economics, Fall, 2005, Fall2006, Fall2007, Fall 2008, Fall2009, Fall2010.
(current textbook: Urban Economics, by O’Sullivan 2009)
· at GVSU: Eco312 – Applied Intermediate Microeconomics, Summer 2006, Winter 2007, Summer 2007, Winter 2008, Fall2008, Fall2009.
(current textbook: Microeconomics, by Besanko and Braeutigan 2008)
· at GVSU: Eco436 – Real Estate Economics, Winter 2006, Winter 2007, Winter 2008, Winter2009, Winter2010, Winter2011.
(current textbook: Real Estate Markets and Urban Economics, by DiPasquale and Wheaton 1996)
Course organization – overview
· Classroom activities: problem-solving/discussion (so there is no lecturing in the strict sense); concepts are discussed along problems; straightforward concepts and analyses are assigned for reading.
· Emphasis: focus on decision making process that individuals/organizations face. The analytical method is stressed out over concepts and descriptive knowledge.
· Exams: exams assess understanding and knowledge developed. Weights of each exam reward best effort (i.e., for each student the highest exam score receives a heavier weight).
· Other assignments: online homework and/or 5-min in-class quizzes.
· Paper: analytical report based on economic data and information gathered from sources like BEA, BLS, Census, DOE, newspapers, journals, etc.
Amazon.com lists of undergraduate textbooks
Best (anonymous) comments received from students
· “Excellent course. The prof has renewed my interests and understanding of Economics I have not had for several years being an Econ major.”
· “Professor Ogura I felt was the only professor I actually got my moneys worth. Lots of work but learned a lot. He explains things good and is very knowledgeable. Great guy. I would definitely recommend and take another class with him.”