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Syllabus

EN IT

Learning Objectives

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course introduces a core area of economics known as microeconomics at an intermediate level. It considers the operation of a market economy and the problem of how best to allocate society's scarce resources. The course considers the way in which various decision-making units in the economy (individuals and firms) make their consumption and production choices and how these decisions are coordinated. It considers the laws of supply and demand and introduces the theory of the firm and its components, production and cost theories and an important model of market structure such as the perfect competition. It presents the trade-off involving time and risk, the main issues relative to the economics of information, and market failures, in particular, externalities and public goods.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

The course aims to develop an understanding of the framework economists use to analyse the choices made by individuals in response to incentives and to consider how these choices can also serve social interests. The course introduces students to models that describe how individuals and firms interact within markets, even in the presence of uncertainty or asymmetric information. Students will be required to learn the underlying idea of the economic model, rather than memorizing concepts. They will need to appropriately use tools employed in economics, such as graphs, diagrams, tables, and simple constrained optimization problems, to explain how economic agents make their choices.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

By the end of this course, students should:
- Apply the theory of demand, supply, and equilibrium to analyse market conditions and make informed business decisions.

- Utilize the theory of maximizing agents to evaluate and improve the decision-making processes of firms and consumers.

- Assess the implications of different market structures, particularly perfect competition, on business strategy and social welfare.
- Apply economic models to evaluate the impact of time, uncertainty, and imperfect information on business incentives and strategic outcomes.
- Use economic tools such as graphs, diagrams, tables, and optimization problems to illustrate and explain business behaviours, and market dynamics, and to support strategic planning and operational decisions

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:

Fundamental economic concepts, together with some quantitative methods, are necessary tools for conducting economic analysis, but the ability to critically integrate these tools into logical decision-making constructs is the overarching goal of the course. Students and future graduates will be able to apply economic concepts, together with quantitative methods and technical information relating to the decision environment, to assist policymakers and target groups in evaluating economic trade-offs and in making rational economic decisions. Students will also be capable of analysing and evaluating broad economic and social problems concerning the allocation of individual, firm and social resources within their specific degree interest area.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

This course aims to develop students’ abilities to construct and sustain an argument using the phrases and concepts that economists use in their debates. A theoretical framework is developed in which students acquire an understanding of how economic agents interact and by doing so develop the literacy and verbal communication skills necessary for presenting arguments of an economic nature.


LEARNING SKILLS:

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- explain how competitive markets organise the allocation of scarce resources and the distribution of goods and services;
- relate the basic economic theory and principles to current microeconomic issues and evaluate related public policy;
- use economic models to analyse a situation in terms of economics: interpret charts, graphs, and tables and use the information to make informed judgments;
- work and learn independently and with others;
- communicate their knowledge and understanding of economic issues using written, verbal and visual expression;
- evaluate outcomes based on the costs and benefits involved.

Prerequisites

Basic mathematical knowledge: e. g. first and second order equations, single and multivariable functions, infinitesimal calculus (derivatives and optimization constrained and unconstrained). These tools will be re-examined during the practice lectures.

Program

• The Principles and Practice of Economics - Introduction to Economic Choice (2 hours) - D. Acemoglu, D. Laibson e J. A. List Economics ( in short: ALL) chapter 1.
• Economic Methods and Economic Main Questions (2 hours) - ALL chapter 2
• Optimization in Economics (2 hours) - ALL chapter 3
• Demand, Supply, and Equilibrium (2 hours) - ALL chapter 4
• Consumers and Incentives (2 hours) - ALL chapter 5
• Utility (2 hours) - Varian Intermediate Microeconomics: a modern approach (in short: V)chapter 4
• Choice (2 hours) - V chapter 5
• Demand (2 hours) - V chapter 6
• Stutsky equation (2 hours) - V chapter 8
• Buying and selling and Labour supply (2 hours) - V chapter 9
• Intertemporal Choice (2 hours) - V chapter 10
• Sellers and Incentives (2 hours) ALL Chapter 6
• Technology (2 hours) - V chapter 19
• Profit maximization (2 hours) - V chapter 20
• Cost minimization (2 hours) - V chapter 21
• Perfect Competition and the Invisible Hand (2 hours) ALL Chapter 7
• Externalities and Public Goods (2 hours) ALL Chapter 9
• Trade-offs Involving Time and Risk (1 hour) ALL Chapter 15
• The Economics of Information (1 hour) ALL Chapter 16

Books

Main manual
-D. Acemoglu, D. Laibson e J. A. List Economics- Pearson (second edition 2018)
Chapters 1-7, 9, 15-16.
For a focus on methodology
-H. Varian Intermediate Microeconomics: a modern approach. Norton Eds
Chapters 4-6, 8-10, 19-21.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Practice lectures held by a teaching assistant.

Group work (open to attending and non-attending students)
Assignment of a group project for the preparation of a brief paper to be presented to the class. The group projects will be evaluated by the instructor and the teaching assistant based on specific criteria established from the beginning: the rigor of the analysis, the originality of the work, and the clarity of the paper. Based on this evaluation, bonus points will be awarded to the groups which will be added to the written exam results of each individual group member. The bonus points for each group will range from a minimum of 0 (for papers considered insufficient) to a maximum of 3/30 (i.e., 0, 1/30, 2/30, 3/30). These bonus points will be confirmed only for groups that present their paper clearly and demonstrate the contribution of each individual group member.

Exam Rules

Written Assignment
• 10 theory questions:
- 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question (maximum 17/30)
- 6 multiple-choice questions involving the solution of exercises (maximum 15/30)

The maximum score is 30/30, with an additional 2/30 points available for achieving honors.

The results of the written exam are posted on the course webpage and in the course's Teams group. Students are notified of the publication of the results via a message sent to the exam enrollment mailing list on Delphi. In the list of results, students can identify themselves only through their student ID number.

Oral Examination
A discussion of the topics covered in the written assignment (up to additional 2/30 may be added to the written exam score, but a penalty of up to 2/30 may be applied if the student fails to demonstrate mastery of the topics covered in the written exam).


The final grade will also include any bonus points (up to a maximum of 3) earned by students who participated in the group projects. (see the section "Description of the conduct and teaching methods adopted").

Criteria for Formulating the Judgment:

• 18-20: Adequate knowledge and understanding of the topics, with possible imperfections. Sufficient capacity for analysis and synthesis, and autonomy of judgment.
• 21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of the topics, with a good grasp of basic microeconomic models and market structures. Correct analysis and synthesis abilities, with logical and coherent arguments, but still room for more originality in practical applications.
• 21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of the topics, with a good comprehension of consumer and producer choice models. Correct analytical and synthetic abilities, with logical and coherent arguments, but still room for greater originality in practical applications.
• 24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of microeconomic topics. Good capacity for analysis and synthesis, with arguments expressed rigorously and supported by relevant examples.
• 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics, with solid mastery of more advanced microeconomic concepts and their practical applications. Notable analytical and synthetic abilities, with good autonomy of judgment.
• 30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of microeconomic topics, with expertise of more structured concepts and a deep understanding of market dynamics and economic agent behaviours. Outstanding capacity for analysis, synthesis, and autonomy of judgment, with arguments expressed in an original and innovative manner.