Checking date: 11/04/2018


Course: 2018/2019

Microeconomic Theory
(13645)
Bachelor in Economics (2008 Study Plan) (Plan: 145 - Estudio: 202)


Coordinating teacher: CELENTANI , MARCO

Department assigned to the subject: Economics Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the methodology for the analysis of equilibrium and efficiency in exchange economies, in production economies and in environments with external effects. To reach this goal students need to master a set of analytical tools, develop a set of skills and reach an analytical proficiency that are described in the following: (i) Students will need to master the concepts of equilibrium and efficiency, will understand their use in economic analysis and will comprehend how to apply them to analyze economic problems; (ii) In terms of specific abilities, students will be able to carry out formal analyses of economic problems; (iii) In terms of general abilities, students will develop their analytical ability ad their abilities to carry out critical analyses. (iv) Students will finally need to reach sufficient proficiency in the solution of complex problems.
Description of contents: programme
1. Equilibrium and efficiency in pure exchange economies (a) Partial equilibrium vs. general equilibrium (b) Efficiency (c) Equilibrium i. Definition ii. Walras's Law (d) First and Second Welfare Theorem (e) Examples 2. Equilibrium and efficiency in production economies (a) Efficiency i. Definition ii. An example with decreasing returns to scale technologies (b) Equilibrium i. Definition ii. An example with decreasing returns to scale technologies (c) First and Second Welfare Theorem (d) Examples i. A small open economy ii. Constant returns to scale technologies iii. A representative agent economy 3. Externalities (a) Definitions: Externalities, equilibrium and efficiency (b) Private responses to externalities i. Bargaining: Property rights, bargaining power, efficiency and distribution A. Not quasilinear preferences B. Quasilinear preferences ii. Exchange: Property rights, efficiency and distribution A. Not quasilinear preferences B. Quasilinear preferences C. Coase theorems D. First and second welfare theorems (c) Public responses to externalities: Efficiency and distribution i. Property rights ii. Taxes and subsidies iii. Licenses
Learning activities and methodology
Teaching methodology includes: 1. Lectures in which the analytical tools will be presented and discussed. Students will need to make extensive use of references to assist their learning as well as to delve deeper into the issues and problems which interest them most. 2. Discussion sections in which the resolution of problems and the discussion of example will make it possible to fully comprehend the analytical Tools presented in the lectures. 3. Quizzes that will be used to assess the learning process.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 60
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 40

Basic Bibliography
  • A. Goolsbee, S. Levitt, C. Syverson. Microeconomics. Worth Publishers. 2013
  • H. Varian. Intermediate microeconomics: A modern approach. W. W. Norton & Co.. 2014
  • J. Hey. Intermediate microeconomics. McGraw-Hill. 2003
  • R. S. Pindyck, D. L. Rubinfeld. Microeconomics. Pearson. 2012
  • R. Serrano, A. Feldman. A short course in intermediate microeconomics with calculus. Cambridge University Press. 2013
  • W. Nicholson. Microeconomic theory: Basic principles and extensions. Shut-Western College Publishing. 2011

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.