RES-ECON 315: Economics of Contemporary Information Technology

Example syllabus only – exact content subject to change. Please see your instructor’s syllabus for the current term for your specific course’s guidelines

Instructor: Dr. Srabana Gupta

Office Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays 4:15 pm -- 5:15 pm and by appointment.

Office Location: Stockbridge Hall 205E

Email: @email

TA: Anishhka Annand Khadtale

Email: @email

Course Description

This course provides an economic analysis of the role that information and communication technology (ICT) plays in the economy, and studies the contemporary issues in production, distribution and consumption that stem from the widespread adoption of new information technologies and the process of digitization. In particular, we will learn about how the Internet, mobile communications, social media, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and cryptocurrencies impact businesses, markets, and society. This course will address both macro and micro implications of ICT, and both efficiency and equity concerns at the local, national, and international levels. At the micro level, this course focuses on the imperfect market structures found in this sector, network effects, platform economy, value creation models, impact of new innovations, commodification of emotions, digital business strategies, and the role of government. At the macro level, we will address the effect of digitization on growth, productivity, employment, inequality, trade, privacy issues, surveillance and the economy and society at large. The course also briefly examines the economic history of information technology to gain insights into current market trends.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

1. Understand how information technology is reshaping the product and resource markets, their organizational structures and business strategies.
2. Understand the interrelationships among technology, innovation, productivity, and economic growth.
3. Use different economic concepts and tools to understand the policy and social questions raised by specific aspects of ICT.
4. Use writing as a means of critically thinking about the fast-changing economic landscape and its far- ranging consequences.

This course contributes to the following student learning objectives for undergraduate students in the Department of Resource Economics:

Teaching philosophy: Students as intellectuals

The philosophical perspective that guides my teaching practice emphasizes democracy, engagement, and empowerment. The classroom, in this course, is not where you passively listen and take notes; it is, on the contrary, where you display an active voice and presence. I think teaching means facilitating discovery through interconnecting. For me, this requires that I conceive of students as intellectuals. For you, it implies that learning is not about "receiving" knowledge; it is about active and critical appropriation of knowledge. Discussion and critique are therefore essential in this course. Learning for critical consciousness is certainly more challenging but it is also more rewarding because it involves nurturing our curiosity, inquisitive spirit, and creativity. I want you to know that this course is an “ongoing project,” and this means that I need your active participation and feedback. You should complete all readings and submit all assignments before attending class.

Prerequisite

RES-ECON 102 or ECON 103

Course Materials

Required Texts

Digital Economics: How Information and Communication Technology is Shaping Markets, Businesses, and Innovation, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018.
Øverby, Harald and Jan A. Audestad
ISBN 10: 1986751392
ISBN 13: 9781986751391
Available for purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Economics-InformationCommunication- Technology/dp/1986751392

The Digital Economy, Wiley, 2020. Tim Jordon ISBN: 978-1-509-51759-6 (e-book)
Available for purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Economy-Tim- Jordan/dp/1509517561/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10BBT0GF6IM6O&keywords=digital+economy+tim+jordan&q id=1707061926&sprefix=digital+economy+tim+jordon%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1

The Second Machine Age, W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 2016. Brynjofsson, Eric and Andrew McAfee
ISBN: 978-0-393-35064-7
Available for purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393350649/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Additional Supplements

​For review of basic Microeconomics (if necessary):
Microeconomics
Paul Krugman and Robin Wells
FreePDF version is available at: https://www.academia.edu/43024032/_Paul_Krugman_Robin_Wells_Microeconomics_z_lib_org_

Khan Academy, Microeconomics (Optional free website): http://www.khanacademy.org/economics- finance-domain/microeconomics

Articles/readings posted on Canvas.

Recommended Optional Supplements

Here are some important and relevant websites, magazines, newspapers you are expected to refer to during the course of the semester.

• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): https://www.oecd.org/sti/ieconomy/:
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): https://unctad.org/topic/ecommerce-and-digital-economy/digital-economy-report
• World Economic Forum: https://intelligence.weforum.org/topics/a1Gb0000001SH21EAG
• Financial times: https://www.ft.com: For latest business and financial news and real-life examples of the textbook theory.
• Wall Street Journal: http://public.wsj.com/home.html: WSJ will provide you with the latest business and financial news and real-life examples of the textbook theory.
• New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com: You can find useful information on the NYT business page.
• Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com
• The Economist: http://www.economist.com
• Census Bureau : http://www.census.gov : For information on income, poverty, and other economic indicators.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) : http://www.bls.gov : For information on employment, wage, inflation, prices etc.
• Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA): http://www.bea.gov : For information on GDP, Annual Industry Accounts, Corporate Profits etc.

Reading Assignments

Reading assignments will be posted on Canvas at least two weeks in advance. Given the fast pace of innovation and change in this ecosystem, new reading assignments may be added periodically.

Course Requirements, Assignments & Evaluation

Learning in this course will be evaluated by several criteria, including performance on the bi-weekly assignments, reflections on material covered in class, written examinations, and consistency of classroom preparation. Final grades will be based on:

Class Attendance, Communication, Participation, and Professionalism (40 points)

I need your cooperation in developing an atmosphere conducive to learning and I would like to learn all of your names and your academic, and/or professional background and interests. The survey posted on Canvas must be turned in on Canvas by Monday, February 9 to receive appropriate credit for class participation. Please, if possible, sit in about the same place for several classes in a row.

Class Attendance & Communication: Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded. This class involves discussions and writing. Obviously, if you are not there, you cannot participate. Therefore, the most important policy for this class is to show up, come prepared and participate (see paragraph on participation below).

You will be excused for absences that include religious observances, required and documented participation in a university-sponsored activity (such as athletic competition), and certain documented civic and military obligations. Per university policy, you are expected to notify me in advance of these absences. As planned absences that are known in advance, all assignments due on the missed class day(s) must be submitted in advance of the absence. If you miss a class due to illness, or other serious or unavoidable circumstances, send me an email as soon as possible. I will accommodate your requests for these kinds of absences on an individual basis.

I am committed to helping you address the any difficulties you might be having in class. I have an open- door policy in addition to class and office hours. I will respond to your email within 24 hours and if necessary, try to meet with you within 48 hours. Your task is to let me know what ideas and tools are challenging to you as soon as you recognize them.

Participation: To facilitate class discussion, you must come prepared to class. “Prepared” means you have done the reading/viewing/writing for the day, thought about it, and taken some notes and demonstrate your preparedness by active participation in class. I expect that you read all required book chapters, cases, and articles. This includes any or all of the following: sharing insights into the reading material, raising critical questions, responding to questions raised, and advancing the discussion to higher levels. Some assigned readings may include original works that might seem a bit dense.

Therefore, close reading (and rereading) of the material and class participation are essential.

Professionalism: Please arrive on time, and do not leave early. Unexplained tardiness and/or absenteeism not only keep you from knowing what is going on but, may be interpreted as evidence of apathy or discourtesy. Please do not talk with other students, as this would be disruptive for the class. If you have a question about the material we are covering, ask me, rather than asking another student. (I do not mind answering questions, clarifying a statement, repeating myself, etc.). Lack of professionalism inside the classroom (e.g., holding private conversation with another student, looking at material related or unrelated to this course, texting etc.) may lead to a considerably lower grade.

If you miss any part of any class, you are responsible for getting notes, assignments, and handouts from another member of the class before the next class meeting.

Five short written assignments (typewritten one page; 15 points each; best four will be counted toward final grade; 60 points)

The primary task in this assignment is to read the assigned chapter/readings and briefly address the following:

Part A (7 pts): Highlight the important/focal points you have gathered from the reading(s). Identify as many (“concepts”) in the readings assigned for the week and provide a very short definition in your own words; You must give specific reference to the source and page number. (4.5) Then proceed to draw a concept map that illustrates the relationship among your concepts from the readings. Lecture 2/3 will provide instructions and examples for concept mapping technique. Overall, demonstrate that you have carefully read and thought about each reading.(2.5)

Part B(4 pts): Commentary and/or Question about the readings. Quote an important passage/concept from the reading(s) that caught your attention, then write a commentary and/or a question about it.

Part C(4 pts): Example: Give an illustration of at least one of the main concepts you wrote about in part

This could be:

1. A poem, song, a picture, or a painting with your comment as how your illustration demonstrates the economic concepts or ideas in part A. I would prefer your own artistic work if you are willing to share it with me.
2. A current story/news item with an economic/market/socioeconomic aspect that would relate to the main idea that you chose in part A.
3. Provide a copy of your source if you are referring to a writing; It is crucial that you write a brief explanation as to why you think your example is related to your chosen concept in Part A. Part C is about you-- i.e., your own analysis through the use of an example that you think explains the concept.

Instruction:

1. Put your name (First, Last name), the assignment number, the title/semester of this course, the date you are submitting the assignment, and the author and the title of the readings which are assigned for the week.
2. Upload your assignment to the assignment folder on Canvas, by noon on the due date. (usually every Monday).
3. For the writing part (not including the concept map) please try not to exceed one page typed singled spaced (you can change the margins).

You will have the opportunity to resubmit the assignment once more within a week after receiving the grade for the first submission.

Mid-Term Exam (60 points)

Take-Home Exam (100 points)

This essay exam will be a cumulative test of all materials presented in the course.

Exit Tickets & Reflection Papers (40 points total)

It will be helpful to take detailed notes on class lectures/discussions starting from the second week of classes. At the end of each class, you will have to complete an exit ticket before leaving the class. There will be five short reflection papers during the semester (due dates and direction will be available on Canvas).

Other (extra % will be factored into all of the above)

I encourage to develop and maintain an ongoing interest (keep up with relevant information) in plays, concerts, conferences, lectures, films, current issues, news, and articles relevant to this course that may appear locally, in the U.S., and internationally. Periodically students will be asked to break into small discussion groups and submit a reflection of what they learned during the group discussion. Each group will also conduct economic research on an appropriate topic. Details on the project is posted on Canvas. The groups will summarize their research findings and analysis in a group presentation in class.

Grading Scale and Components

We abide by the following minimum grade cutoff points based on a percentage of the total points available: A = 95, A- = 90, B+ = 85, B = 80, B- = 75, C+ = 70, C = 65, C- = 60, D+ = 55, D = 50, and F<50

Late in-class or out-of-class work is not accepted for credit without an acceptable and documented University excused absence. Please visit the following for specifics on accepted University excused absences: http://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/policies-and- practices/class-absence-policy

Learning Accommodations

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify me within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements. For further information, please visit Disability Services (https://www.umass.edu/disability).

Academic Alerts

I have partnered with Student Success and your academic advisors to assist you on your path to success. Throughout the semester, I will communicate with Student Success & academic advisors regarding your progress in the course. If you are contacted, please consider scheduling appointments such as tutoring or academic advising and with me. Referrals are not punitive and are meant to assist you in connecting with resources at UMass. Please email @email if you have any questions or need assistance connecting with resources.

Academic Honesty

Group discussions and study groups are encouraged in this class and are very helpful in expanding student understanding. When taking a test, writing an essay, or turning in a paper, your written work and reasoning must be your own and reflect your understanding of course content. The final take home exam and Midterm corrections will be submitted thru Turnitin. Turnitin checks each assignment for plagiarism. If plagiarism, cheating or other violations of UMASS’s code of conduct are uncovered, I will follow UMASS’ policy on academic honesty. Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the course instructor as soon as possible.

Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent. Please check (http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty) for details.

AI is prohibited: This course assumes that all work submitted by students will be generated by the students themselves, working individually or in groups. Students should not have another person/entity do the writing of any substantive portion of an assignment for them, which includes hiring a person or a company to write assignments and using artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT.

Spring 2026 Tentative Course Outline and Schedule