Prepared on:7/8/2007
Intermediate Micro-Theory Dr. Michael Nieswiadomy
Economics 3550.001 Office Hours: M –Th 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. & by appt.
MTWTh 12:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. Office: Hickory Hall 254B
Classroom: Chem 253 email:
Summer II 2007 Phone: (940) 5652244 Fax: (940) 565-4426
web:http://www.econ.unt.edu/nieswiadomy
REQUIRED TEXT Microeconomics: Theory and Application, 6th ed., Robert S. Pindyck & Daniel L. Rubinfeld
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course exposes you to the tools, methods and results of microeconomic analysis. Economic theory is developed with the intention of applying it to real world problems. You should develop an ability to explain and predict the behavior of consumers, firms, employers and resource owners and the effects of such behavior on product and factor markets. You will model the effects of changes in income, input prices, weather, demographics and other factors on the demand and supply of goods. You will analyze a firm's costs of production and understand concepts such as the learning curve and optimal lot size. You also will study the impact on social welfare of changes in government programs such as agricultural price supports and import quotas. You will study how monopolies set prices and how they price discriminate. You will study game theory and business strategy. You will study risk and uncertainty and environmental externalities (such as pollution) and public goods. You will be required to complete computer-based assignments in Excel for some of your homeworks.
Homework assignments and Powerpoint lecture notes are posted on my web site.
GRADES: Your grade is based on the percentage of 500 possible points which you earn as shown:
Assignment Points
Exam 1 100
Exam 2 100
Homeworks 100
Final Exam 200
Total 500
The grading scale is: A: 90100% B: 8089% C: 7079% D: 6069% F: below 60%.
ABSENCE POLICY: Plan to attend every class. Read the assigned material before class.
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK CHAPTER SUBJECT
July 9 1 & 2 Preliminaries: Review of Demand and Supply
July 10 3 Consumer Behavior
July 11 4 Individual and Market Demand
July 12 5 Uncertainty
July 16 6 Production
July 17 7 Cost of Production
July 18 Exam 1
July 19 Last drop day for "W" if you are not passing
July 19 8 Profit Maximization & Competitive Supply
July 23 9 Analysis of Competitive Markets
July 24 10 Monopoly and Monopsony
July 25 11 Pricing with Market Power
July 26 11 Pricing with Market Power
July 30 Exam 2
July 31 12 Oligopoly & Monopolistic Competition
Aug 1 Last drop day with consent of instructor
Aug 1 13 Game Theory & Competitive Strategy
Aug 2 14 Markets for Factor Inputs
Aug 6 15 Investment, Time and Capital Markets
Aug 7 17 Markets with Asymmetric Information
Aug 8 18 Externalities and Public Goods
Aug 9 Catch up and review
Aug 10 Final Exam 12:00 p.m.-1:50 p.m. Friday
POLICY ON CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM
Department of Economics
1. Notice of this policy shall be announced in, or included in course syllabi, for all Economics classes each semester. Written copies will be available in the Economics office.
2. The Student Code of Conduct states that plagiarism and cheating are offenses against the University, and students found guilty of either are subject to disciplinary action.
3. Definitions:
A. Cheating: The willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, using someone else's work for written assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirement of a course.
B. Plagiarism: The use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving credit for the source, including but not limited to failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
4. Punishment:
A. The minimum punishment for cheating or plagiarism is a grade of "F" for the course.
B. If removal from a degree program or probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University may be warranted (such actions may be particularly appropriate in cases involving graduate students), the instructor shall request the appointment of an ad hoc committee to review the determination. The committee shall consist of an equal number of faculty members and students to be appointed by the Chair person of the Department, in consultation with the Dean of Students. This committee's recommendations shall be reported to the Chairperson of the Department. The Chairperson shall review the committee's recommendations and forward them to the appropriate Dean(s) with his comments for appropriate action.
5. Appeals:
A student may appeal any action under the departmental policy on cheating and plagiarism in accordance with established procedures for academic and disciplinary appeals.
Note: Economics Department Policy on "Cheating and Plagiarism" was developed by making extensive use of the Political Science Department's Policy on "Cheating and Plagiarism", with the permission of John Booth, Chairman, Political Science Department.
Disability Accommodation
If you have a disability for which you will require accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, please discuss your needs with me after class or at office hours.
The Economics Department cooperates with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you have not registered with ODA, we encourage you to do so. Please present your written accommodation request on or before the 4th class day.
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