BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Principles of Microeconomic Theory 2: Markets, Prices and Strategy

Course unit fact file
Unit code ECON20172
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The aims of this course are: to provide a further introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of microeconomic analysis and expose students to a range of applications.

The objectives of this course are that students will be able to:

1.    have developed a solid grasp of microeconomic theory and quantitative methods;

2.    demonstrate knowledge of important areas of application.

3.    analyse and use analytical models for applications;

4.    evaluate and critically analyse microeconomic arguments, theories and policies.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Advanced Mathematics ECON10071A Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Principles of Microeconomic Theory 1: Consumers, Welfare, Production and Costs ECON10171 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
ECON20172 Prerequisites: ECON10171 and ECON10071

ECON10171 Micro Analysis 1 and ECON10071 Adv Maths

Aims

The aims of this course are: to provide a further introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of microeconomic analysis and expose students to a range of applications.

Learning outcomes

The objectives of this course are that students will be able to:

  1. Have developed a solid grasp of microeconomic theory and quantitative methods.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of important areas of application.
  3. Analyse and use analytical models for applications.
  4. Evaluate and critically analyse microeconomic arguments, theories and policies.

Syllabus

A brief overview of the syllabus/topics:

• Competitive firms and markets (perfect competition, profit maximization, short and long run competition).

• Monopoly (profit maximization, market power and welfare, regulation).

• Pricing (price discrimination, bundling, advertising).

• Game theory (static games, dynamic games, examples and applications).

• Oligopoly models (Cournot models, Bertrand models, monopolistic competition).

• OPTIONAL: General equilibrium and economic welfare (trade only, production and trade economies, efficiency and equity).

Teaching and learning methods

Online Learning and Guided Self-Study

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Synthesis and evaluation of data.
Problem solving
Research
Ability to independently locate and assess relevant literature, and to draw on these in developing understanding and constructing arguments.
Other
Time management and working to deadlines.

Assessment methods

80% Exam 

20% Online Test (2 x 10%)

Feedback methods

  • Feedback in tutorials/classes.
  • Office hours.
  • Informal talk with the lecturer and tutor.
  • Discussion board.

Recommended reading

Jeffrey Perloff (2014) “Microeconomics with Calculus, Global Edition” (ISBN-10: 0273789988; ISBN-13: 9780273789987). Chapters 8-14.

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez Unit coordinator

Additional notes

For every 10 course unit credits we expect students to work for around 100 hours. This time generally includes any contact times (online or face to face, recorded and live), but also independent study, work for coursework, and group work. This amount is only a guidance and individual study time will vary.

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