Checking date: 10/07/2020


Course: 2020/2021

Microeconomic Theory
(13645)
Dual Bachelor in International Studies and Economics (2016 Study Plan) (Plan: 364 - Estudio: 328)


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
The teaching methodology is based on: 1. Lectures, where the principles and the analytical technique that the students must acquire will be presented; to facilitate their development the students will use the basic reference texts that will allow them to complete and deepen in those subjects in which they are more interested 2. Recitations sections in which exercises will be solved that will serve to deepen the understanding of the principles and the analytical technique and make them operational. 3. The development of the learning will be evaluated through tutorials and an online midterm exam.
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
  • Thomas J. Nechyba. . Intermediate microeconomics an intuitive approach with calculus. . CENGAGE.. 2018
  • W. Nicholson. Microeconomic theory: Basic principles and extensions. Shut-Western College Publishing. 2011

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