09446 - Microeconomics (A-E)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the students will: - master the basic tools for the study of the behaviour of the main economic agents (consumers, firms, government) and of their interactions in the markets. - know the basic theoretical instruments for the understanding of the redistributive effects of public policies, with particular reference to the Italian case.

Course contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION

Some Economic Fundamentals
The Necessary Analytical Tools

PART II: CONSUMPTION THEORY

Consumer Behaviour
Individual and Market Demand

PART III: FIRM THEORY

Technology and Production
Production Costs

PART IV: PERFECT COMPETITION

Profit Maximation and the Firm's Supply
Analysis of Perfectly Competitive Markets

PART V: MARKET POWER AND STRATEGI INTERACTION

Monopoly, Regulation and Price Discrimination
Oligopoly and Stratetig Interdependence

PART VI: GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM

General Equilibrium in a Pure-Exchange Economy
Equilibrium, Efficiency and Equity

PART VII: EXTERNALITIES AND PUBLIC GOODS

Negative and positive externalities. Environmental pollution and differnt forms of public intervention: pigouvian taxes, standards, fees and transferable emmission permits. Private solutions to market failures and the Coase Theorem. Public Goods.

Readings/Bibliography

Pindyck R.S. e D.L. Rubinfeld (2018), Microeconomics, Pearson-Prentice Hall, 9th edition, Edizione Custom

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures accompanied by a web support available at the site www.matteoalvisi.altervista.org

Assessment methods

The examination aims at verifying the achievement of the following educational objectives:

• basic knowledge of the theoretical and analytical tools used by economists to study the behaviour of the main economic agents (consumers, firms, government) and their market interaction.
• knowledge of the main theoretical tools used to understand and evaluate the redistributive effects of public policies.

The examination consists of a 120-minute written test (multiple choice and exercises), marked in thirties, that can be supplemented by an optional oral examination. Students can access the oral examination only after passing the written test (18 points or more). 

The oral examination is approximately 10-15minutes long and may increase/decrease the score of the written examination for a maximum of 3 points.

Teaching tools

A web site for the course is available: www.matteoalvisi.altervista.org. Through this site, students will be able to download the following material: Math Lecture Notes - Course Slides (in .pdf version)  - Weekly Tutorials' Notes and Exercises - Sample tests.
   

Links to further information

http://www.matteoalvisi.altervista.org

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Alvisi