09446 - Microeconomics (A-E)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the couse the students will: - master the basic tools for the study of the behaviour of the main economic agents (consumers, firms, goverment) 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

INTRODUCTION
Some Economic Fundamentals
The Necessary Analytical Tools

PART I: CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION CHOICES
Consumption Theory
Consumer Behaviour
Individual and Market Demand
The Theory of the Firm
Technology and Production
Production Costs

PART II:  MARKET STRUCTURES 
Perfect Competition
Profit Maximization and Competitive Supply
Analysis of Perfectly Competitive Markets
Monopoly
Oligopoly

PART III: GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM, EXTERNALITIES AND PUBLIC GOODS
General Economic Equilibrium and Efficiency in a Pure-Exchange Economy
Esternalities
Public Goods

Readings/Bibliography

Pindyck R.S. e D.L. Rubinfeld (2009), Microeconomics, Pearson-Prentice Hall, 7th edition.

A web site for the course will be opened soon: www2.dse.unibo.it/alvisim/Microeconomia. Students will be able to download the following material:
    Math Lecture Notes
    Lecture Notes on Consumers and Producers' Optimal Choice
    Course Slides (in .pdf version)
    Samples of written tests.
  

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures accompanied by a web support available at the site http://www2.dse.unibo.it/alvisim/Microeconomia

Assessment methods

The examination consists of a two-hour written test (theory questions and exercises) 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). 
-         First Part:  8 multiple Choice questions (1.5 points each)
-         Second Part: Two Short Exercises (5 points each)
-         Third Part: 2 Open Questions (5 points each)

During the course semester, students have the opportunity to pass the course taking a midterm and a final exam. Both exams are similar to the written test both in their structure and content, so that their main advantage is the opportunity to prepare in each occasion half of the material only.

Teaching tools

During the first week, the course would offer a review of the analytical and math tools necessary for a full understanding of the material. The Professor or the Teaching Assistant, Dott.ssa Sabrina Pedrini, would also offer weekly two-hour tutorials on the main topics. The teaching assistant would also provide an office-service for all students.  Students are strongly invited to attend both classes and tutorials

Links to further information

http://www2.dse.unibo.it/alvisim/Microeconomia

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Alvisi