| Learning objectives |
After having followed the course the students
should be able to:
- Understand and apply conceptually and analytically the basic
concepts of microeconomics (e.g., the fundamental concepts in
consumer theory, producer theory, game theory, and the theory of
markets)
- Describe and rationalise the main assumptions behind simple
economic models and analyze the role that those assumptions
play.
- Use economic models graphically (diagrammatically) to analyze
the effects of policy experiments (e.g. introducing taxes).
- Derive numerically economic instruments and apply them in
analytical settings (e.g., find a price elasticity and use it to
predict a change in demand).
- Analytically solve simple microeconomic problems (e.g., utility
maximisation, profit maximisation, determination of equilibrium
economic variables) and interpret these solutions.
- Use economic analysis to explain topical policy issues (e.g.,
How to reduce carbon emissions?).
|
| Course prerequisites |
No prerequisites in economics are required.
The technical level required by the course is modest but basic
mathematics will be used in this class. More precisely, we will
make extensive use of elementary algebra and some calculus.
If you feel that it’s needed, please review how to:
- work with algebraic expressions (factorization, substitution,
exponentiation, solving systems of two linear equations with 2
unknowns)
- plot linear equations in two-dimensional graphs
- differentiate simple functions |
| Examination |
|
Microeconomics:
|
| Exam
ECTS |
7,5 |
| Examination form |
Written sit-in exam on CBS'
computers |
| Individual or group exam |
Individual exam |
| Assignment type |
Written assignment |
| Duration |
4 hours |
| Grading scale |
7-point grading scale |
| Examiner(s) |
Internal examiner and external examiner |
| Exam period |
Autumn and Winter |
| Aids |
Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring - USB key for uploading of notes, books and compendiums in a
non-executable format (no applications, application fragments, IT
tools etc.)
- Any calculator
- In Paper format: Books (including translation dictionaries),
compendiums and notes
The student will have access to - basic IT application package
|
| Make-up exam/re-exam |
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up
examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most
appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office
will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take
examination instead is held as an oral examination including a
second examiner or external
examiner.
|
|
| Course content, structure and pedagogical
approach |
|
This course provides an introduction to the functioning of
economic markets: it describes what lies behind the notions of
demand and supply. Emphasis is placed on the behavioural
assumptions that generate demand for particular products, and on
whether the producers of a particular product compete in a perfect
or an imperfect way. We also explore important extensions to the
basic model such as uncertainty and symmetric information. The main
blocks of the curriculum are:
- Supply and Demand
- Consumer theory: preferences, rationality assumptions,
budgetary constraints
- Producer theory: production and costs functions
- Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, oligopolistic
competition, etc.
- Public goods and externalities
Practical Application of Theory
In each main block the theory is exemplified with everyday problems
and issues. We will consider economic models evaluating policies
such as minimum wages and commodity taxation.
Relation to a Business or an Institutional Setting
We consider in depth how different market structures affect firms
and consumers. We also emphasize how governments design
institutions to correct market imperfections.
Relation to International Business or Economics
Several examples from the international business area are
considered. Examples will be drawn particularly from U.S., Canada
and Europe.
Research Based Teaching
Issues which are currently under debate in economic research are
presented when relevant. In particular, we will discuss the limits
of neoclassical models and how the research frontier confronts
those limits.
|
| Description of the teaching methods |
There are 42 lecturing hours. These hours will be devoted to
covering the material in the textbook by traditional lectures and
discussion in the class. There are also 12 exercises hours that
will be used for doing exercises and applications with the aim of
providing students an opportunity to practice the more applied
aspects of the class.
In case that your mathematical skills (level B) are not recent,
please make sure to attend the 12 Math brush-up course hours that
the IB (dates and classes will be announced in due
time). |
|
| Description of the teaching methods |
There are 42 lecturing hours. These hours will be
devoted to covering the material in the textbook by traditional
lectures and discussion in the class. There are also 12 exercises
hours that will be used for doing exercises and applications with
the aim of providing students an opportunity to practice the more
applied aspects of the class.
In case that your mathematical skills (level B) are not recent,
please make sure to attend the 12 Math brush-up course hours that
the IB (dates and classes will be announced in due time). |
| Feedback during the teaching period |
Student feedback takes place regularly throughout
the course, e.g. in exercise classes, in-class problem solving and
specific Q and A sessions. Students are always encouraged to
actively participate in lectures and ask questions. They also have
the opportunity to ask one on one questions in office hours, and to
post questions on discussion forums on canvas. There will be 2-3
graded quizzes in the course to ensure continuous feedback and
assessment of students’ performance.
|
| Student workload |
| Lecture hours and preparation (42+42) |
84 hours |
| Workshop/exercises incl preparation( 12+12) |
24 hours |
| Preparation for class and exams |
140 hours |
|
| Expected literature |
|
“Microeconomics" by Richard Friberg (available
freely online)
|
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