Northeastern University
Department of Economics
Course Syllabus
ECON 4916-02, Selected Topics in Microeconomics 2: Health Economics
2011 Fall
T/F, 8:00-9:40am, Kariotis Hall 011
There will be no class on November 22, 2011
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Office hours:
Prof. Anna Taub
321 Lake Hall
617-373-8427
a.taub@neu.edu
Thursday 9am-12pm
Exam Dates and Times:
Midterm: In Class October 21
Final: TBD
Course Objectives:
This course provides an introduction to the health care system in the U.S. We will review and
discusses some of the key economic concepts that are used to analyze health care markets. We
will apply these concepts to gain an understanding of the changing behavior of firms and
individuals in health care markets as well as of the role of economics in the development of
health care policy. The prerequisite for this class is ECON1116, Principles of
Microeconomics.
Textbook:
Phelps, Charles. Health Economics, Addison Welsey, 4th edition.
Blackboard:
We will use Blackboard to distribute all course materials (the syllabus, any changes
to the syllabus, handouts, homework, and announcements). In particular, I will post up any
lecture notes or handouts on the Blackboard at least 24 hours before class.
To use Blackboard, log in to your myNEU account (http://myneu.neu.edu). If you
have officially registered for the course, it should automatically appear in your Course List.
You should now be in the course content area. You can also access the page from
http://blackboard.neu.edu/.
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Problem Sets
Problem sets (when assigned) will be distributed via Blackboard seven days before they are
due. I will assign 7 problem sets during the semester. Problem sets are to be returned before
class begins on the day that they are due. There will be a sign in sheet that you must sign
when you turn in your problem set. Late problem sets will not be accepted. Students will
effectively have “one pass," as I only consider each student's top 6 problem sets when
calculating final grades. Please use this “pass" wisely. I encourage students to form study
groups and work through problems together. This is a great way to learn the material in
greater depth. However, each student must write up their own version of the assignment to
turn in. Not every question in the homework will be graded for correctness; every question
will be graded for completeness. Answers to problem sets will be posted or discussed in
lecture.
Exams
There will be two exams: one midterm and one final. All exams will be open-book, opennote. Please let me know as soon as possible if you have a conflict with one of our exam
dates. Exams will be given only at the scheduled time (no early or late exams). In the case of
illness or family emergency, please let me know as soon as possible. If you miss the midterm
exam for any reason, the final will count 70%.
Participation
Participation in the course is encouraged and expected. Your course participation grade will
be based on attendance, preparedness, contribution to class discussion and/or atmosphere, as
well as a short presentation. Please note that I reserve the right to cold-call in class. There are
four parts to your class participation grade.
1. Class attendance is recorded at the beginning of most lectures. I will hand out a roster
with your name on it, and you should sign next to your name. For each lecture you miss,
0.5 points will be deducted from your overall grade.
2. I will keep a record of those who are late for class. Those who are late for class for 3
times will be deducted 3 points, and so on. No points will be deducted for those who are
late for class once or twice only.
3. Active participation (asking and answering questions, participating in discussions) is
important for your learning as well as for your grade.
4. In class presentations will also comprise part of your participation grade. Every student
will be assigned a date for short (5 minute) presentation. The presentation will be on a
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Grading
Your final course grade will be based on course participation, 6 problem sets, one midterm
exam, and one final exam as follows:
15%
15%
30%
40%
Class Participation
Problem Sets
Mid-Term Exam (open book, no makeup exam)
Final Exam (open book, no makeup exam, cumulative)
Re-grade policy
Given the sort of questions that will be asked on exams and problem sets, it is possible that
human error may enter the grading process. Requests for re-grades will therefore be
considered, subject to a few rules.
Re-grades are final (i.e., there are no re-re-grades). Re-grades must be requested within seven
days of exam (or homework) return. Re-grades will be returned to you within seven days of
your request.
In the case of a clerical error (i.e., the numbers do not add up), please leave the exam in my
mailbox with a quick note (e.g., Regrade requested - clerical error on number 5).
In cases where you feel that you should have been credited more points, please submit a
single, typed paragraph explaining why you think that your answer was worth more points
that it received, attach this to your exam, and leave in my mailbox.
REMEMBER: Work submitted for re-grade is subject to re-grade of the entire exam or
homework. It is therefore possible that your overall grade may go down following a re-grade.
Expectations
Attendance: You are expected to attend each class session. If you must miss a session for any
reason you should make every effort to notify the professor prior to the class meeting.
Punctuality: You are expected to arrive and be seated prior to the start of each class session.
Behavior: Classroom interaction will be conducted in a spirited manner, but always while
displaying courtesy and personal respect.
Preparation: You are expected to complete readings and other assignments prior to each class
session and be prepared to actively participate in discussion.
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Distractions:
-Exiting and Entering: You are expected to remain in the classroom for the duration of the
class session unless an urgent need arises or prior arrangements have been made with the
professor.
-Laptop, PDA, and Other Electronic Device Usage: Do not use laptops, smart phones, and
other electronic devices during class. Accessing e-mail or the Internet during class is not
permitted as they can be distracting for peers and faculty.
-Cellular Phone and Pager Usage: You are expected to keep their mobile phones and pagers
turned off or have them set on silent during class. Answering phones or pagers while class is
in session is not permitted.
-Please do not eat during class as it can be distracting to your peers.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism, cheating or any other form of unethical behavior will be handled in accordance
with University policies described in the Student Handbook. If an instance of plagiarism or
cheating occurs the students involved will receive a F for the course.
Students with Special Needs
If you have disabilities that you believe may require accommodations for this course, please
let me know at the start of this course to discuss appropriate actions that may be helpful to
you. The Disability Resource Center (DRC), located in 20 Dodge Hall (ext. 2675), can
provide you with information and other assistance to help manage any challenges that may
affect your performance in your coursework. The University requires that you provide
documentation of your disability to the DRC.
Course Outline
Part 1: Introduction to Health Economics
Chapter 1: Why Health Economics?
Chapter 2: Utility and Health
Chapter 3: The Transformation of Medical Care to Health
Part 2: Demand for Medical Care
Chapter 4: The Demand for Medical Care: Conceptual Framework
Chapter 5: Empirical Studies of Medical Care Demand and Applications
Part 3: Physicians
Chapter 6: The Physician and the Physician Firm
Chapter 7: Physicians in the Marketplace
Part 4: Hospitals
Chapter 8: The Hospital as a Supplier of Medical Care
Chapter 9: Hospitals in the Marketplace
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Part 5: Health Insurance
Chapter 10: The Demand for Health Insurance
Chapter 11: Health Insurance Supply and Managed Care
Part 6: Government Involvement in Health Care Markets
Chapter 12: Government Provision of Health Insurance
Chapter 13: Medical Malpractice
Chapter 14: Externalities in Health and Medical Care
Chapter 15: Managing the Market: Regulation and Technical Change in Health Care
Extra Topic: US Health Care Reform
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