Syllabus
Winter 2014 ECON 200L: Introduction to Microeconomics
Class Information
Meeting Time: MW1:30-3:20
Meeting Location: Sieg Hall 227
Class website: https://catalyst.uw.edu/workspace/izumia/42602/
Instructor Information
Name: Atsuko Izumi
Office location: Savery Hall 319F
Office hour: W 3:30 pm-4:30 pm, F 10:00 am -11:00 am, or by appointment
Email: izumia@uw.edu
Class Description
We make the economic decision as to allocate our limited time and money in the
optimal way. At the same time, firms are making the production decision as to
maximize their profit. Economic activities are the result of all decisions that are
made by each of us, and determine the allocation of resources by trading in the
market. We will examine how our limited resources are allocated among economic
agents under various market conditions and whether resource allocation is
“efficient” from the economist’s viewpoint.
Goals
 Find something interesting about economics
 Learn wide range of microeconomic subjects and build the foundation to
apply economic concepts to various fields
 Get familiar with terminologies in microeconomics
 Learn how to study economics as social science and be able to use graphs
Required Course Material
Book: Gregory Mankiw, “Principles of Microeconomics” 7th edition.
We will be using Aplia for online homework. You need to purchase Aplia, which is
bundled with the Mankiw’s book. You have options to get an e-Book or a hardcopy.
Visit following website to check available options. Instruction for Aplia registration
is in our class website.
Aplia Purchasing options: www.cengagebrain.com/micro/UWECON200
Aplia Registration website: http://login.cengagebrain.com/
Course Key: U9SU-UTDY-TTGS
Tentative Class Schedule
Time
Week
(Jan 6 & 8)
Week 2
(Jan 13 &15)
Week 3
(Jan 22)
Week 4
(Jan 27 & 29)
Week 5
(Feb 3 & 5)
Leaning subjects
 Introduction
 10 Principles of economics
 Thinking like an economist
 Gains from trade
 Gains from trade
 Demand and supply
 Elasticity
Week 6
(Feb 10 &12)
Week 7
(Feb 19)
Week 8
(Feb 24 & 26)
Week 9
(March 3 & March 5)
Week 10
(March 10 & 12)
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Midterm 1
Government intervention
Consumers, producers, and
efficiency of markets
Cost of taxation
International trade
Externalities
Midterm 2
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Cost of production
Firms in competitive market
Monopoly
Monopolistic competition
Review
Final
Readings
Chap 1
Chap 2
Chap 3
Chap 3
Chap 4
Chap 5
Chap 6
Chap 7
Chap 8
Chap 9
Chap 10
Chap 13
Chap 14
Chap 15
Chap 16
This study plan is subject to change.
Course Requirements
Exams:
This course will have two midterm exams and a final exam, which is scheduled on
the day listed below. Both exams will be taken in class and will be from 1:30PM
– 3:20 PM. Calculators will be allowed on exams, but NO graphing calculators.
Midterm1: Jan 27th (Monday)
Midterm: Feb 19th (Thursday)
Final: March 12th (Thursday)
Weekly homework:
Online homework is assigned in Aplia, which is due on 11 pm every Sunday (except
for Feb 23rd).
Presentation:
One group presentation is required through the quarter. Length of the presentation
should be around 20 minutes including 5 minutes Q&A. Group size should be around
3 members.
For the presentation topic, your group will pick the recently published newspaper
article (online or paper) and relate it to the class topic. Presentation should include
1. summary of the article, 2. explanation of how the article is related to the class
topic, and 3. analysis of the article with using the graph(s.) Please use the recent
class topics that we have discussed. Presentation will be taken in the beginning of
the class on every Wed and will start from Jan 22th. I expect two groups will present
each time. Please form the group and sign up for the presentation date in class on
the 15th of Jan.
Class participation:
Students are strongly encouraged to raise questions as and when doubts arise in the
class. More often than not, many of your classmates have similar concerns. Also,
students are strongly encouraged to make comments and ask questions in the
presentations.
Grading Policy
Midterm & Final
Presentation
Aplia homework
Participation
Total
25% for each
10%
10%
5%
100%
Disability Accommodations:
If you have a documented disability and feel comfortable sharing that with me,
please do so at the earliest so that I can help make any necessary accommodations. I
also encourage you to work with staff at the Office of Disability Resources
Classroom Behavior
 Language and actions on this campus should always be respectful of the wide
range of diversity (race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability, age, gender, etc.).
 Cell phones should be on vibrate/silent during class hour and put away
during exams. Laptops can be used only to take notes. Please don’t engage in
IM-ing, emailing, web-browsing because it distracts the others, not to
mention how it affects your listening.
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Academic integrity is a must during all exams. Cheating of any kind will
warrant strict action against the offender(s), and may even result in their
expulsion from the university