ECON80AIntermediate Microeconomics
Brandeis University
Summer Session 1 2015
Instructor: Kathleen McQueeney (kmcqueen@brandeis.edu)
Oce: Sachar 1G
Oce Hours: M & Th 1:30 - 2:30pm
Class Times & Location:
ECON 80A: M,T,Th 11am - 1:20pm
1. Course Description
This course focuses on the analysis of the behavior of economic units within
a market economy. These include consumers, rms, and regulators, among
others. We will discuss individuals' decisions as demanders of goods and suppliers of resources, and rms' decisions as suppliers of goods and demanders
of resources. First, we will go over consumer theory. Then, we will move to
the rm's maximization problem, taking into account production costs, various
market structures, and pricing. Finally, we will consider economic eciency and
the role of government intervention in markets, as well as behavioral economics.
2. Prerequisites
: Students must have done one of the following to
achieve this prerequisite, including : (1) received a C- or higher in MATH
10a, (2) attained at least a 4 on the AP Math AB test, (3) attained at
least a 3 on the AP Math BC, (4) passed the calculus placement exam
that is administered by the Economics Department.
•
Math prerequisites
•
Economics prequisites
: Taken and passed Econ 10a.
3. Learning Goals
The purpose of this course is to give students a deeper understanding of microeconomics. Generally, this course aims to:
• help students understand the analytical tools used in microeconomics.
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• analyze problems in microeconomics using such tools.
• provide a basis on which students can take more advanced courses in
economics.
4. Course Materials
The
required textbook for this course is Goolsbee, Levitt, and Syverson,
(2012). This will referred to as GLS in the course outline
Microeconomics,
section. In order to get the most you can out of this course, you should read
relevant chapters of the book prior to the lectures about them in class. I would
also encourage you to reread the relevant chapters after class to truly digest the
information, as it can be hard to understand the rst time around. Supplementary materials will be posted on our Latte page prior to class, so please check
this regularly. It may be helpful to print the lecture notes prior to coming to
class to take notes on them during class. As higher level students in economics,
you should keep up with current economic events by reading publications like
The New York Times, The Economist, Business Week, The Financial Times, or
listening to National Public Radio. This will help enhance your understanding
of what we cover in this class. If you have any comments or questions about
current events in economics, feel free to bring them to class.
5. Course Organization
Participation
You may
Attendance to this course is mandatory and will be taken each class.
, unless you get permission from the professor.
Missing further classes will impact your nal grade. Your level of participation,
particularly with respect to asking and responding to questions in class, will
also factor into your nal grade.
not miss more than 1 class
Problem Sets
I will assign 3 assignments over the course of the semester. You are encouraged
to work with other students on the problem sets, but you must write your
answers independently. This means that each student should turn in their own
individual problem set in their own words.
NO LATE PROBLEM SETS
WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Exams
There will be a midterm exam and a nal exam in this course. The midterm
exam will be given during class time. Below is the tentative schedule for these
exams.
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Midterm Tuesday, June 16 during class
Final
TBA
Please note that
. Absence
from an exam will be excused only for a serious illness or bereavement (which
must be documented). A student who is unable to take the nal exam for a
legitimate reason absolutely must obtain advance authorization from the Oce
of Undergraduate Academic Aairs. There are
to these
rules.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS
NO EXCEPTIONS
Grading
Approximate weights for your nal grade in the course will be:
Category
Participation
Problem Sets
Midterm II
Final Exam
Percentage
15%
25%
25%
35%
6. Academic Integrity
You are expected to be familiar with and to follow the University's policies
on academic integrity http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/sdc/ai/. Instances of alleged dishonesty will be forwarded to the Oce of Campus Life for
possible referral to the Student Judiciary System. Sanctions may include failure
in the course and suspension from Brandeis. If you would ever like to talk about
expectations for this course, I would be happy to speak with you. Please note
that signing someone else in for class when they are not coming may qualify as
academic dishonesty.
Cell Phones, Laptops, Tablets, etc.
No cell phones should be used during class. Please turn o cell phones before
class begins and keep them o until class is over. Laptops and tablets may be
useful during class to review lecture notes. However, if these technologies are
being used for something other than what is relevant to class, this will count
against the participation part of your grade.
7. Special Accommodations
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class,
please see me immediately.
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8.
Course Outline with Required Readings (ten-
tative and sub ject to change at the instructor's
discretion)
Schedule:
Date
M June 1
T June 2
Th June 4
M June 8
T June 9
Th June 11
M June 15
T June 16
Th June 18
M June 22
T June 23
Th June 25
M June 29
T June 30
TBA
Topic
Introduction
Supply & Demand I
Supply & Demand II
Calculus Review
Reading
GLS Chapter 1
GLS Chapter 2
GLS Chapter 3
Consumer Theory I
Consumer Theory II
Consumer Theory III
Consumer Theory Review
GLS Chapter 4
GLS Chapter 5
GLS Chapter 5
Producer Theory
Costs
Review
GLS Chapter 6
GLS Chapter 7
GLS Chapters 1-7
Perfect Competition
Monopoly
Covering GLS Chapters 1-7
GLS Chapter 8
GLS Chapter 9
Problem Set 1 Assigned
Problem Set 1 Due
Problem Set 2 Assigned
Problem Set 2 Due
Midterm Exam
Problem Set 3 Assigned
Price Discrimination
Imperfect Competition
Game Theory
Market Structure Review
Uncertainty
General Equilibrium
GLS Chapter 10
GLS Chapter 11
GLS Chapter 12
Externalities
Behavioral Economics
Review
GLS Chapter 16
GLS Chapter 17
Problem Set 3 Due
Final Exam
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GLS Chapter 13
GLS Chapter 14
All Chapters (Cumulative)