CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
ECON 302/4 SECTION H
INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS II1
WIINTER 2025
SECTION H
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Office Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Greg LeBlanc
H 1155-71
514-848-2424 x3911
greg.leblanc@concordia.ca
Tue 12:30-1:30 – other times by appt.
MW 2:45-4:00 H 411
Course Description:
Economics 302 and its predecessor, ECON 301, together form the Microeconomics course at the
intermediate level. These courses provide a major building block of the core of the discipline of
economics. Microeconomics primarily deals with the determination of prices of commodities, and this
is done by examining markets in isolation (i.e., partial equilibrium analysis), as well as when all relevant
(i.e., interdependent) markets interact. The latter variety is known as general equilibrium analysis.
In ECON 302, we examine price determination under different market structures (e.g., perfect
competition, monopoly, and oligopoly), both in the market for goods and production inputs. We then go
on to analyse the efficiency of a competitive general equilibrium model. Special topics such as
uncertainty are also taken up. In the process, we shall cover Chapters 23 to 30, 32-33, and 12.
Course Prerequisite:
ECON 301 – Intermediate Microeconomics I.
Required Textbook and Online Component:
Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus, 1st ed., by H.R. Varian, W.W. Norton, New York
2020.(Media Update). ISBN: 978-0-393068993-8.
To purchase access to the e-text and Smartwork5 – follow the link on Moodle.
The 'Workouts' book (by Bergstrom and Varian – ISBN: 978-0-393-92261-5) that accompanies the
Varian text provides useful exercises, with some solutions. Students are not obliged to purchase this,
but it can be useful, especially since the questions that appear at the end of each chapter in the text are
few in number.
Course Assessment:
Evaluation of student performance in the course will be based on three components, 4 homework
assignments, a mid-term test, and the final examination. The relative weight of the components are
provided below. Solutions or Keys to assignments will be made available through Moodle. Students are
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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this course outline. In the event of
extraordinary circumstances and pursuant to the Academic Regulations, the University and/or instructor may modify the
delivery, content, structure, forum, location and/or evaluation scheme. In such an event, students will be informed.
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encouraged to work together in study groups and solve problems on each week's material. A limited
number of copies of the 'Workouts' are available on reserve in the Webster Library. Students are also
encouraged to attend the weekly tutorials for ECON 302. They are held on Fridays from 10:15-11:15
and begin during the third week of term.
COMPONENT
Assignments
Midterm
Final Exam
WEIGHT
20 %
30 %
50 %
Assignments
While there will be 4 traditional paper assignments submitted to my mailbox in the department by 15:00
on the due date. The purpose of the homework is to: reinforce material covered in class; cover additional
material for which there is insufficient time in class; keep students on track with course learning
objectives; and, provide students with evaluation and feedback.
Coordination:
Assignments and final examination: it is important to note that the assignments and final examination
will be the same (i.e., common) for all sections of the course, and will be set by a committee of all of
the instructors involved in teaching the course. In view of this, it is very important that students treat
the entire material described below as required curriculum for the course. The Examinations Office of
the university sets the timetable for the final examination, and therefore any potential conflict will have
to be dealt directly with that office. Finally, note there will be no supplemental privilege in this course,
as per departmental practices.
Correspondence:
If you need to email the instructor, it must originate from your Concordia email address. Any email
from any other address will be treated as spam and will be neither read nor answered. This policy
protects confidentiality and confirms the student’s identity. If you have not activated your address
already, follow the instructions at www.concordia.ca/it/services/email-for-students-office-365.html.
Lectures:
The course will be delivered in person only.

Live delivery of course material during the scheduled class. During the live session, students can
expect a (somewhat) traditional delivery of course material that they are expected to know to
properly matriculate the course.

Additional materials presented in class for the purpose of enriching course content will be
provided on Moodle as needed.
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Lecture Outline and Readings
Topic 1
Topic 2
Pricing in a Competitive Market: A Review
A Competitive Firm's Supply, Profits and Producer's Surplus, A Firm's Longrun Supply Curve, Industry supply in the Short and Long-run, Meaning of
Zero Profit, Economic Rent, and Price Controls.
Readings: Text Chapters 23-24
Pricing under Monopoly Conditions
Monopoly Profits, Mark-up’s, Inefficiency of Monopoly, Natural Monopoly,
Models of Price Discrimination, and Models of Product Differentiation.
Readings: Text Chapters 25-26
Topic 3
Topic 4
Oligopoly and Game Theory
Cournot Model, Collusion, Games and Nash Equilibrium, Prisoner's Dilemma,
Cartels and Entry Deterrence, Mixed Strategies, and Coordination Games
Readings: Text Chapters 28-29-30
General Equilibrium Analysis
Budget Constraint with an Endowment, Edgeworth Box, Pareto Efficient
Allocations, Relative Prices, Equilibrium and Efficiency, Welfare Theorems,
Production Possibilities and Production Efficiency.
Readings: Text Chapters 9 (pp161-169), 32-33
Topic 5
Special Topics: Market for Risks
Expected Utility, Risk Aversion and the Demand for Insurance
Readings: Text Chapter 12
Office Hours
Office hours are in person, not recorded, and are on a first come first served basis. If you use the
opportunity, you are expected to “arrive” prepared (ie, with their questions ready) and to be efficient so that
the maximum number of students can make use of the available time.
Student Responsibilities:
Students are expected to be aware of their academic responsibilities as outlined in the Code of Rights
and Responsibilities (www.concordia.ca/students/rights.html).
Student Services:
Access Centre for Students with Disabilities
Student Success Centre
Health Services
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International Students Office
Sexual Assault Resource Centre
Academic Calendar
Department of Economics Academic Advising
Counselling and Psychological Services
Financial Aid and Awards
Dean of Students Office
Student Hub
Concordia Student Union
Third-Party Educational Software or Services
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