Principles of Economics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the knowledge of economic principles, methods and basic tools. They are also expected to learn and master basic economic terminology, to understand the economists' view of the world and how markets and price mechanism function and to recognize economic actions and activities in the everyday life. Being an introductory course, Microeconomics and Welfare Economics will be mainly addressed, while Macroeconomics will only be mentioned. To be consistent with the objectives of the degree course "Human Science of Environment, Landscape and Territory", the fundamentals of Environmental Economics and Urban and Regional Economics will also be briefly presented.
Expected learning outcomes
During the course, the students will be introduced to the fundamentals of economics, i.e. economic principles, methods, basic tools, and terminology, thus being provided with a new perspective on social sciences. At the end of the course, they will be able to understand and explain the behaviour of households (consumer theory), firms (production theory) and government, and to describe the most important market mechanisms and types, using graphs and very basic maths. Students will also learn to identify welfare issues and market failures, such as, in particular, environmental troubles, thus being able to address real problems and solution proposals in current economic policy.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
The teaching is structured as a basic course in microeconomics with some hints of environmental economics:
1. Economic issues
2. Modelling economic relationships
3. Economic systems
4. Markets, demand and supply
5. Individual and aggregate demand
6. Elasticity and market adjustment
7. Production, costs, revenues and profits
8. Market structures
9. Market failures: public goods and externalities
10. Hints of environmental economics
1. Economic issues
2. Modelling economic relationships
3. Economic systems
4. Markets, demand and supply
5. Individual and aggregate demand
6. Elasticity and market adjustment
7. Production, costs, revenues and profits
8. Market structures
9. Market failures: public goods and externalities
10. Hints of environmental economics
Prerequisites for admission
Nothing
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
1) Slides provided by the teacher (MyAriel teaching website)
2) J., Sloman, D., Garratt, Microeconomia (sixth edition 2022), il Mulino, ISBN ISBN 978-88-15-29364-0. (All chapters, except paragraphs 3.5, 3.6, 4.6, 5.6, and 5.7). With regards to chapter 6, focus mainly on the issue of environmental market failures and the related corrective tools.
Alternatively: J., Sloman, D., Garratt, Elementi di Economia (eighth edition 2022), il Mulino, ISBN: 978-88-15-29363-3 (introduction+chapters 1-6, except paragraphs 3.5, 3.6, 4.6, 5.6, and 5.7). With regards to chapter 6, focus mainly on the issue of environmental market failures and the related corrective tools.
For further study by non-attendees (in particular) and frequent attendees:
N.,G., Mankiw, M.,P., Taylor
Principi di microeconomia (Ottava edizione italiana, 2022)
Zanichelli ISBN 9788808169952
Chapters 1, 2 (la metodologia economica), 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 (no teoria dei giochi). For essentials of environmntal conomics: chapters 8 (i beni pubblici) and 9
2) J., Sloman, D., Garratt, Microeconomia (sixth edition 2022), il Mulino, ISBN ISBN 978-88-15-29364-0. (All chapters, except paragraphs 3.5, 3.6, 4.6, 5.6, and 5.7). With regards to chapter 6, focus mainly on the issue of environmental market failures and the related corrective tools.
Alternatively: J., Sloman, D., Garratt, Elementi di Economia (eighth edition 2022), il Mulino, ISBN: 978-88-15-29363-3 (introduction+chapters 1-6, except paragraphs 3.5, 3.6, 4.6, 5.6, and 5.7). With regards to chapter 6, focus mainly on the issue of environmental market failures and the related corrective tools.
For further study by non-attendees (in particular) and frequent attendees:
N.,G., Mankiw, M.,P., Taylor
Principi di microeconomia (Ottava edizione italiana, 2022)
Zanichelli ISBN 9788808169952
Chapters 1, 2 (la metodologia economica), 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 (no teoria dei giochi). For essentials of environmntal conomics: chapters 8 (i beni pubblici) and 9
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consist in a written text.
The test is based on 7 multiple choice questions (T/F) and 1 open question.
The assessment parameter used relates to the correctness of answers, competence in the use of specialist vocabulary and the effectiveness of written exposition.
The final score is expressed as n/30.
The final scores are directly verbalized with the possibility of rejection by the student.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teachers at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
The test is based on 7 multiple choice questions (T/F) and 1 open question.
The assessment parameter used relates to the correctness of answers, competence in the use of specialist vocabulary and the effectiveness of written exposition.
The final score is expressed as n/30.
The final scores are directly verbalized with the possibility of rejection by the student.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teachers at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Unita' didattica A
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
SECS-P/01 - ECONOMICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Contact the teacher by email to arrange an appointment
Department of Environmental Science and Policy (third floor, via Celoria 2)