37293 - Microeconomics

Academic Year 2019/2020

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in International relations and diplomatic affairs (cod. 8048)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student grasps the basic knowledge of microeconomic theory and he/she can take part to the public debate with sufficient precision and independent judgement. In particular the student knows the theory of decisions under certainty, uncertainty and strategic interaction; he/she understands the working of the markets and can provide an assessment in terms of efficiency; he/she understands the various forms of market failures and the possible solutions.

Course contents

Topics

  • The capitalist revolution
  • Technology, population, and growth
  • Scarcity, work, and choice
  • Social interactions
  • Property and power: Mutual gains and conflict
  • The firm: Owners, managers, and employees
  • The firm and its customers
  • Supply and demand: Price-taking and competitive markets
  • The labour market: Wages, profits, and unemployment
  • Markets, efficiency, and public policy
  • The nation and the world economy
  • Economic inequality
  • Economics of the environment
  • Innovation, information, and the networked economy
  • Economics, politics, and public policy

Students attending classes, students not attending classes, and students from previous years who still have to sit for the exam

The program written above is valid for students attending classes, for those that do not attend classes, and for students from previous years who still have to sit for the exam. There is no distinction between these categories of students in terms of program to be studied or exam format.

Readings/Bibliography

The textbook is:
The Economy. Economics for a Changing World. First Edition. The CORE Team.

How to get the book:

  • Buy a paper copy of the book
  • Get a free online copy at the following website:
    https://www.core-econ.org/project/core-the-economy/
Other useful resources can be also found at the website: https://www.core-econ.org/

Teaching methods

In most of the classes the teacher will be the main guide of the class. Toward the end of the course (Last five topics in the list) it will be given the possibility to have a more interactive teaching approach (group discussion and presentation).

Assessment methods

The final mark of the exam is out of thirty. The final exam is written and is structured in the following way: 12 questions with multiple choice and 5 questions/exercises with an open answer.

During the term there will be 3 intermediate learning assessments. The final mark will be equal to the average of the three marks on each intermediate assessment. It is not possible to renege on the mark of a single intermediate assessment. Also marks below 18 on a given assessment are valid toward the computation of the final average, and they do not impede to take part in the subsequent intermediate assessment.

Those students who passed with a positive final mark (average equal or greater than 18) the three intermediate learning assessments and want to renege on their mark have to communicate this within a certain date that will be announced at due time through an e-mail to be sent to: natalia.montinari2@unibo.it [mailto:natalia.montinari2@unibo.it] Students who renege on their mark in the intermediate learning assessments can sit for the written examination on the whole program. The student has the right to renege on the mark of the exam (either intermediate assessments or final exam) only once.

Teaching tools

Additional material will be published during the course on the platform IOL.

Office hours

See the website of Natalia Montinari

SDGs

No poverty Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth Reduced inequalities

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.