Introduction to Microeconomics
Economics 1021A - Section 570
Professor Peter Ibbott
Fall 2015
Contact:
Website:
Lectures:
Office Hours:
433-3491 ext. 4378, pibbott@uwo.ca
http://www.kingscollege.net/ibbott, http://publish.uwo.ca/~pibbott/
T/W/Th
3:30 - 4:30 pm
LH100
T/Th
1:30 - 3:00 pm
FB313 (Or by appointment)
Required Text: Parkin and Bade, Microeconomics: Canada in the Global Environment, 9th
Edition with Myeconlab, Pearson
Alternate Text: Parkin and Bade, Economics: Canada in the Global Environment, 9th
Edition with Myeconlab, Pearson
Overview: This course explores the nature of the economic problem, the source of economic
values, and the role these values play in determining what society produces and how it is
distributed. In the process, we develop an understanding of the workings of the market mechanism
and how the policy levers of government influence economic outcomes and the pace and direction
of social change. The tools of microeconomic analysis developed in this course provide the
analytical foundation for all branches of economics and an important point of view for those
wanting a deeper understanding of the economic dimensions of social life.
Evaluation:
Term Test 1
(50 minutes)
In Class
Sept. 30, 2015
25%
Term Test 2
(50 minutes)
In Class
Nov. 4, 2015
25%
Final Exam
(120 minutes)
TBA
December 11-22, TBA
50%
Extra Help:

The Economics Tutorial Centre is open from Monday to Thursday (hours TBA). The
Economics Tutor can help you develop your understanding of the course material.
 Professor Ibbott is available for extra help during his office hours (T/Th, 1:30-3:00 pm).
 The online resource Myeconlab offers a number of useful tools for developing and testing
your understanding. Students often find it helpful to try the practice tests before a term test
or Exam.
Term:
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September 10: Fall/Winter Term classes begin.
September 18: Last day to add a first-term half course or a first-term full course
October 12: Thanksgiving Holiday.
October 29 – 30: Fall Study Break
November 5 Last day to drop a first-term half course without academic penalty.
December 9 Fall/Winter Term classes end.
December 10 Study Day.
December 11 - 22 Mid-year examination period
COURSE OUTLINE and READINGS:
1. Scarcity and the Human Condition
Readings: Chapters 1, 2
2. The market mechanism
Readings: Chapters 3, 4, 7
3. Market Values and Government Intervention
Readings: Chapters 5, 6, 19
4. The Theory of Demand
Readings: Chapter 9, (8)
5. The Theory of Competitive Supply
Readings: Chapter 10, 11, 12
6. Supply under Imperfect Competition
Readings: Chapter 13, 14, 15
7. Market Failure and Government Policy
Readings: Chapter 16, 17
REGULATIONS:
Pre-requisite:
None
Anti-requisite:
Economics 1020.
Students are responsible for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded,
that all course prerequisites have been successfully completed, and that they are aware of any anti-requisite
course that they have taken. If the student does not have the requisites for a course, and does not have
written special permission from his or her Dean to enrol in the course, the University reserves the right to
cancel the student’s registration in the course. This decision may not be appealed. The normal financial and
academic penalties will apply to a student who is dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary
prerequisite.
Missed Tests:
Missing a test results in a grade of 0 unless documentation is provided that establishes that a serious illness
or family emergency made it impossible to attend. This documentation must be provided no later than 5
days after a missed test. If conflicts with other tests or sporting events make it impossible to write the test
on the planned date, the student is responsible to inform the Professor in advance so that alternative
arrangements can be made. Students who have provided documentation of a legitimate reason for absence
will be provided with the opportunity to write a make-up test. If a make-up test is impossible to organize
within a reasonable period of time, the final exam will be reweighted to make up the missing grades.
Policy on the Use of laptops:
The use of laptops by students during lectures, seminars, labs, etc., shall be for matters related to the course
at hand only. Students found to be using laptops for purposes not directly related to the class may be subject
to sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate use of laptops during lectures, seminars,
labs, etc., creates a significant disruption. As a consequence, instructors may choose to limit the use of
electronic devices in these settings. In addition, in order to provide a safe classroom environment, students
are strongly advised to operate laptops with batteries rather than power cords.
Debarrment:
1. A student may be debarred from writing the final examination for failure to maintain satisfactory
academic standing throughout the academic year.
2. Any student who, in the opinion of the instructor, is absent too frequently from class or laboratory periods
in any course, will be reported to the Dean of the Faculty offering the course (after due warning has been
given). On the recommendation of the department concerned, and with the permission of the Dean of that
Faculty, the student will be debarred from taking the regular examination in the course.
Statement on Academic Offences:
King’s is committed to Academic Integrity. Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed
to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE SERIOUS SCHOLASTIC OFFENCES. All required papers may
be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under
license to the University for the detection of plagiarism. All papers submitted for such checking will be
included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers
subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently
between The University of Western Ontario and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com). Computer-marked
multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will
check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
Accommodation for Religious Holidays:
Please refer to the Senate Policy on Accommodation for Religious Holidays at
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/accommodation_religious.pdf (See Policy on Academic
Rights and Responsibilities.). The Calendar of Religious Accommodation for the 2011-12 academic year
will be available at: http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2011/pg10.html . This calendar shows religious
holidays for which Equity and Human Rights Services has confirmed students of different faiths may
require academic accommodation.
Please be advised that students must give proper written notice for such an accommodation in
accordance with the directives in the 2011-12 UWO Academic Calendar (page 18-19):
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2011/pg119.html