SAIGONTECH
Course Syllabus
ECON2302 - Principles of Microeconomics
1. Class
:ECON2
Semester : Fall 2014
2. Instructors
Instructor:
Office:
Tel:
Mobile:
Email:
Lâm Hữu Hoàng Phúc
Room 104 – SaigonTech Tower
(08) 3715 5033 (ext. )
0943 77 83 86
phuclhh@saigontech.edu.vn
3. Campus and Room Location with Days and Times
Venue:Room 202 – SaigonTech Tower
Time: Tue 13:00 – 16:10
4. Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 3
5. Total Course Contact Hours: 48
6. Type of Instruction: Lectures
7. Course Description
ECON 2302 is an introductory course in microeconomics, which examines the fundamental
theories of the consumer, the firm, and markets. It is a required course for any student
wishing to take major or minor in business or economics, and it is recommended for any
student who would like to understand the American, Vietnamese and world economy as it
relates to businessand individual welfare. This course also meets the social science
requirements of the core curriculum, since you will be exposed to major questions
concerning human and institutional behavior, and you will be encouraged to develop your
skills in critical analysis, mathematics, and/or writing clarity.
8. Course Prerequisite(s):
ESL level 4
No previous economic study is required
9. Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students’
learning
Outcomes
Learning
Objectives
1. Understand the basic economic terms
2. Can define the different economic concepts
3. Provide in-depth, typical examples to each of the concepts and models
4. Be able to interpret clearly most of the economic problems
5. Can clarify principles and concepts by applicable evidences in real life
I. Be able to understand the basic economic principles and concepts:
1. Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost
2. PPF, comparative advantage, specialization, and trade
3. Economic systems
4. The role of incentives
1
5. Marginal analysis
II. Recognize the nature and functions of product markets:
1. Supply and demand. Market equilibrium
2. Determinant of supply and demand. Price and quantity controls
3. Elasticity, price, income, and cross price elasticity of demand
4. Price elasticity of supply. Consumer surplus, producer surplus and
market efficiency
5. Tax incidence and deadweight loss
III. Theory of consumer choice:
1. Total utility and marginal utility
2. Utility maximization: equalizing marginal utility per dollar
3. Individual and market demand curves
4. Income and substitution effects
IV. Production and costs
1. Production functions: short and long run
2. Marginal product and diminishing returns
3. Short run costs
4. Long run costs and economies of scale
5. Cost minimizing input combination
V. Firm behavior and market structure
1. Profit Accounting versus Economic profit. Normal profit
2. Profit maximization : MR=MC rule
3. Perfect competition. Monopoly. Oligopoly. Monopolistic competition
4. Short run and long run equilibrium
10. Textbook
Economics, 3rd edition, P. Krugman and R. Wells (2013). Worth Publishers.
For the best use of the textbook, take some time to read Tools for Learning, pp.xi-xii
For student resources, go to URL: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/krugmanwellsecon3
11. Course Requirements
Make-up policy
Make-up test is not allowed. If any class session is canceled, the instructor will discuss with
the students to arrange a make-up class.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policies
Please read information about attendance and withdrawal policies on SaigonTech website:
http://www.saigontech.edu.vn/saigontech/english/general_academic.jsp?subid=37#6
12. Instructor’s Requirements
Classroom policy
 Please be seated before lecture begins, and don't leave early without prior permission
since it is very distracting to me and your classmates. Arriving late or leaving early will
count as half of an absence.
 Because it is distracting to other students and to me, you should keep mobile phones
off/silent, and not carry on private conversations.
 Being active in class discussions and asking questions are highly encouraged.
 To make best use of our scarce time, do NOT study for another exam, work for another
class, play games, or surf the Internet. If you are caught red-handed, you will be
dismissed from the class and your attendance for that class will be ABSENT. It also
reduces your participation grade.
2

Do not close your books or rustle your papers to signal the end of class. Pack up only
when I say I have done.
Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling
course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by
SaigonTech officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Please visit this site
for more details about Academic Dishonesty Policy:
http://www.saigontech.edu.vn/saigontech/english/student_discipline.jsp?disID=3&subid=42
Other Student Information: Refer to SaigonTech’s website at www. saigontech.edu.vnfor
other students rights and responsibilities at the school
13. Grading Policies
An Incomplete may be given only for extenuating circumstances (i.e. family illness, accident,
and an unforeseen event occurring at exam time). The grading policy is summarized below:
Course Grading
1) Quiz & Problem (quantity: 2, mode: individual)
2) Presentation (quantity: 1, mode: group)
3) Mid-term exam
4) Final exam
5) Participation
Total
20%
10%
25%
35%
10%
100%
Grading Scale
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
0 – 69
F
The passing grade of this course is C.
1) Quiz & Problem (individual, closed book, no electronic devices)




Each student must attend the class to take the quizzes. If he/she is absent, there is no
other opportunity to make up. Mark of 0 will be given if not taking the quiz.
Specific time and date for the quizzes are specified in the course calendar. The duration of
each test is 60 minutes. They will be hold during the second half of the class. There are 2
quizzes in total.
The quizzes will be provided in order to test students’ knowledge about the materials
provided in the previous lectures and to help students be preparedbefore mid-term and
final examinations.
Each quiz includes 10 multiple-choice questions, 1 short question, and 1 problem:
MCQ
Short question
Problem
Total

30%
10%
60%
100%
The results and feedbacks will be received at the next class.
2) Presentation (group)
 Each group (max of 4students) is required to do 1 presentation. Each presentation will
last about 20 minutes(excluding questions and answers).
 Everyone in the group has to present. Those who do not present with the group at the
presentation date will receive only 50% of the mark given to the group.
 The presentations will be held in week 11, 13, 14 and 15.
3




The topics for the presentation will be diccussed on week 7 and decided on week 8.
The groups have to hand in their power point slides to the instructor on Nov 25th, 2014.
The feedbacks will be received immediately after the presentation.
Below is the list of presentation marking criteria:
Criteria
Speaking speed
Slide hand-in
Time management
Power point slides
Pronunciation
Professional Manner
Content
Total
Standards
Not too fast, not too slow
On time (on Nov 25th, 2014)
20 minutes for presentation
(excluding questions & answers section)
Good design & layout
Accurate, clear, loud enough
Proper gesture, face expression, eye contact, audience control
Quality of the content presented, quality of the answers
%
5
5
5
5
20
30
30
100
3) Examination Format (individual, no electronic devices)
Exam
Midterm
Endterm
Type
MCT
Short question
Problems
MCT
Short question
Problems
No. of
questions
30
1
2
30
1
2
Points
30
10
60
30
20
50
Chapters
Mode
Duratio
n
Reading
time
1, 2, 3, 4, 6
&9
Closed
-book
120
mins
5 mins
10, 11, 12,
13, 14 & 15
Closed
-book
120
mins
5 mins
4) Participation (individual): Participation mark depends on your diligence and activeness. To
get full mark (10%), you have to attend all 24 class-sessions and be very active in the class.
14. Course Calendar:Lectures and tutorials will follow the order of the Krugman and Wells
textbook
Week
1
Date
Tue
Sep 23
2014
Item/Description
- Introduction
- Syllabus Clarification
- Lecture: Chapter 1 First
Principles
2
Tue
Sep 30
2014
Lecture: Chapter 2
Economic Models: TradeOffs and Trade
3
Tue
Oct 7 2014
Lecture: Chapter 3
Supply and Demand
Pre-class Reading
- Chapter 1 Opening Story,
pp.5-6
- Definition of Key Terms of
Introduction & Chapter 1
(see the list of Key Terms on
pp. 4, 22)
- Chapter 2 Opening Story,
p.25
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 2 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.45)
After-Classs Homework
- Check Your Understanding 11 (p.11), 1-2 (p.17)
- Economics in Action (pp.1011)
- Summary, pp.22
- Chapter 3 Opening Story,
pp.65
- Definition of Key Terms of
- Check Your Understanding 31 (p.74), 3-2 (pp.83), 3-3
(p.88), 3-4 (p.94)
- Check Your Understanding 21 (p.39), 2-2 (p.43)
- Summary, p.45
4
Chapter 3 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.96)
- Chapter 4 Opening Story,
pp.83-84
- Economics in action (p.89)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 4 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.105)
- Chapter 6 Opening Story,
p.109
- Economics in action
(p.120)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 5 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.131)
- Summary, pp.96
- Chapter 9 Opening Story,
p.135
- Economics in action
(pp.151-152)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 6 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.157)
- Check Your Understanding 91 (p.142), 9-2 (p.146), 9-3
(p.152), 9-4 (p.156)
- Summary, p.157
4
Tue
- Lecture: Chapter 4
Oct 14 2014 Consumer and Producer
Surplus
- Quiz 1 (Chapters: 1, 2 & 3)
5
Tue
Oct 21
2014
6
Tue
Lecture: Chapter 9
Oct 28 2014 Decision Making by
Individuals and Firms
7
Tue
Nov 4 2014
Lecture: Chapter 9
Decision Making by
Individuals and Firms
(cont.)
- Revision for Mid–term
examination
- Discuss about topics for
presentation
8
Tue
Nov 11
2014
Mid-term examination
- Decide topics
11
Tue
Dec 2 2014
Lecture: Chapter 10
The Rational Consumer
-Chapter 10 Opening
Story, pp.230-231
-Economics in action
(pp.233-234)
-Key Terms of Chapter 10
(see the list of Key Terms
on p.250)
-Check Your Understanding
10-1 (p.234),
10-2 (p.241),
10-3 (p.245),
10-4 (p.249)
-Summary, p.249
9
Tue
Nov 18
2014
Lecture: Chapter 11
Behind the Supply Curve:
Input and Costs
-Check Your Understanding
11-1 (p.189), 11-2 (p.197), 11-3
(p.202)
-Summary, pp.202-203
10
Tue
Nov 25
2014
Lecture: Chapter 12
Perfect Competition and
the Supply Curve
- Presentations
- Chapter 11 Opening Story,
pp.181-182
- For Inquiring Mind (p.186)
- Definition of Key Terms
of Chapter 8 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.203)
- Chapter 12 Opening Story,
p.206
- Economics in action
(p.220)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 9 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.227)
- Lecture: Chapter 6
Elasticity
- Check Your Understanding 41 (p.90), 4-2 (p.94), 4-3 (p.99),
4-4 (p.104)
- Summary, pp.104-105
- Check Your Understanding 61 (p.113), 6-2 (pp.120-121), 6-3
(p.123), 6-4 (p.126)
- Summary, pp.130-131
- Check Your Understanding
12-1 (p.210), 12-2 (p.220), 12-3
(p.226)
- Summary, p.227
5
12
Tue
Dec 9 2014
- Lecture: Chapter 13
Monopoly
- Quiz 2 (Chapters: 8, 9 &
10)
13
Tue
Dec 16
2014
- Lecture: Chapter 14
Oligopoly
- Presentations
14
Tue
Dec 23
2014
- Lecture: Chapter 15
Monopolistic Competition
and Consumer Choice
- Presentations
15
Tue
Dec 30
2014
- Lecture: Chapter 15
Monopolistic Competition
and Consumer Choice
(cont.)
- Revision for Final
examination
16
Tue
Jan 6 2014
- Chapter 13 Opening Story,
p.333
- For Inquiring Mind (p.345)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 13 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.359)
- Chapter 14 Opening Story,
pp.363-364
- Economics in action
(pp.377-378)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 14 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.384)
-Check Your Understanding
13-1 (p.339),
13-2 (p.347),
13-3 (p.352),
13-4 (p.358)
-Summary, pp.358-359
-Check Your Understanding
14-1 (p.366),
14-2 (p.370),
14-3 (p.378),
14-4 (p. 383)
-Summary, p.384
- Chapter 15 Opening Story,
pp.388-389
- Economics in action
(p.392)
- Definition of Key Terms of
Chapter 15 (see the list of
Key Terms on p.404)
- Check Your Understanding
15-1 (p.393),
15-2 (p.398),
15-3 (p.400),
15-4 (p. 403)
- Summary, p.403
- Presentations
Final examination
6