Microeconomics
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to the basics of microeconomics. In its first part the course will present the functioning of the market as the interaction of demand and supply stemming from the optimization choices of rational consumers and producers. The second part of the course will introduce the characterizing features of major market typologies: perfect competition, monopoly, and different form of oligopoly. The basics of market failures will be also discussed.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will be endowed with the basic theoretical and applied/quantitative toolkit for the economic analysis of producer, consumer and policy decision maker's choices, the market functioning and its regulation. Furthermore, students will be able to autonomously apply this knowledge to the economic interpretation of many facts characterizing everyday experience such as: price and quantity strategies by firms, taxation, congestion of public transportation. Finally, students will develop the capacity to examine critically economic policy decisions through a more in depth classroom discussion on selected topics such as: efficiency vs equity, market failures, the limits of public intervention.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
During the semester Sept2020-Jan2021, all lessons will be online in the form of interactive webinars on Microsoft Teams. The lessons will be recorded and uploaded on Ariel. In addition, there will be three meetings with the students.
Exams will be held at the university. Students from other countries, regions, or with severe pathologies will be given the opportunity to sit exams online.
Exams will be held at the university. Students from other countries, regions, or with severe pathologies will be given the opportunity to sit exams online.
Course syllabus
Teachings will introduce students to the main issues of microeconomic analysis. The first part of the lectures will introduce market exchanges, consumers' and producers' choices as originated by rational and maximizing agents. The second part of the lectures will describe the interactions between demand and supply occurring in different market typologies: perfect competition, monopoly and different forms of oligopoly. Some basics on market failures will be mentioned. The last part of the course will entail a brief introduction to macroeconomics.
Prerequisites for admission
None, however the knowledge of basic maths and in particular the use of derivatives, enables an easier understanding of many theoretical economic concepts and of their translation in practical exercises.
Teaching methods
Theoretical lectures: 64 hours. TA: 16 hours. Additional exercises will be discussed during the theoretical lessons.
Teaching Resources
H. R. Varian, Microeconomia, Cafoscarina Editrice (all editions).
R. Dornbusch, S. Fischer, R. Startz, G. Canullo, P. Pettenati - Macroeconomia (12th edition, earlier editions are also fine).
Additional material will be uploaded on Ariel.
R. Dornbusch, S. Fischer, R. Startz, G. Canullo, P. Pettenati - Macroeconomia (12th edition, earlier editions are also fine).
Additional material will be uploaded on Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The evaluation consists in a written exam. This is composed of three exercises, numeric or theoretical (open-ended question). Each exercise will contribute 1/3 of the final mark. Exam duration: 90 minutes.
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 9
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Professors:
Carillo Felicetta, Gobbi Alessandro Pietro, Trentinaglia De Daverio Maria Teresa
Professor(s)