Microeconomics
A.Y. 2021/2022
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
Teaching activities will be carried out primarily in person, according to the organization plans of the University. In case of no availability of classrooms for in-person teaching, the lessons will be held online in the form of interactive webinars on Microsoft Teams. All lessons will be recorded and uploaded on Ariel.
Written exams will be carried out in person. Remote written exams may be organized, but only for students who, for justified reasons, declare that they cannot take the exam in person, using the dedicated self-certification form.
Written exams will be carried out in person. Remote written exams may be organized, but only for students who, for justified reasons, declare that they cannot take the exam in person, using the dedicated self-certification form.
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, a good preparation in mathematics (in particular the use of derivatives) is required for understanding the theoretical concepts and solving the 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 composed of three exercises. The first exercise is primarily theoretical, with multiple-choice questions and/or short-answer questions. The other two exercises are numeric or theoretical (open-ended question). Each exercise contributes 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:
Bosco Davide, Gobbi Alessandro Pietro, Piriu Andreea Alexandra
Professor(s)