Econ 202
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
Fall 1999 Syllabus

DAVIDSON COLLEGE
Department of Economics  

Course Objective:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the methods of microeconomic analysis and to provide a survey of a variety of economic issues.  The focus is on the nature of decision making in markets.  Primary emphasis is placed upon the development of models which explain the behavior of consumers and producers, the importance of market structures, and the appropriate role of the government. 

Course Prerequisites:

The prerequisites for this course are Economics 101 and Mathematics 130.

Course Requirements:

In-class Reviews (2) and quizzes (5) -- Based on class lectures and assigned reading.
Homework Problems -- You are encouraged to work in groups on the problem sets.
Research Paper – Five page product/market analysis.

In the case of a class absence, it is the responsibility of the student to become apprised of class discussions, including material lectured upon, assignments given, and schedule changes made.

Grading Procedure:

Reviews:  

Any valid excuse for missing a review must be approved by me prior to the review--an approved excuse will result in either a make-up review or a re-weighting of the final review.  (The final review must be taken.)

Quizzes:  

Five, 15 minute, in-class quizzes will be given throughout the semester.   The quizzes will begin promptly at 12:30 pm.  If you are late, it is to your detriment.   No make-up quizzes will be given.  The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Homework Assignments:  

Each student is required to purchase a spiral notebook to be used exclusively for assigned problems.   Problems will be assigned during class--some will be on handouts, some will be from your textbook, some will be described verbally and assigned during the course of lectures.  Problems are to be sequentially numbered in your problem set notebook.  It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with the various assignments. 

The notebooks will be collected, at random, at least twice during the semester.  Two grades will be given at the time that the notebooks are collected:  first, the assignment to be completed that day will be graded; and, second, a grade for the overall state of the notebook since it was last collected will also be given.

Keys to the problems will be available outside of my office.  They are not to be photocopied.

Short Paper:  

You will need to choose a market-exchanged product and analyze the market structure, including both supply and demand side phenomena.  The paper will require only 'popular press' research (e.g., NYT, WSJ, Industrial Outlook, Newsweek, The Economist) and the application of economic theories we will have discussed in class.

DUE:    At the start of class, Friday, Nov 12.

At this time a one page proposal including, 1) a market definition, 2) data regarding the size of the market (measured in units and/or dollars) for at least three points in time, 3) identification of the major firms in the industry (if not perfectly competitive), and, 4) a minimum of three bibliographic references that are not internet web-sites.

DUE:    At the start of class, Monday, Nov 22.   

Final version of paper.

Specifications:  Maximum of 5 double-spaced pages (exclusive of graphs which may be included at the end).   A hand-out to follow will detail the paper specifications further--such specifications need to be adhered to in order to avoid a loss of points.

[Rough drafts will be accepted, but not required, up until Wednesday, Nov. 17 (by day’s end) and will be available to be picked up on Friday, Nov. 19 (by day’s end).]

Honor Code:  

Strict compliance to the College’s academic honesty and integrity policies will be adhered to throughout this course.

Absences:  

It is expected that all students will make a concerted effort to attend all classes.   The reviews and final will be based upon material presented in class which will include subjects and examples not covered in the text.  It is the responsibility of the student to keep abreast of announcements made in class, and to obtain the class notes from a fellow student.

Following is a proposed outline for the course -- it is subject to change.  Additional 'readings' may be periodically handed out during class or put on reserve in Little Library.   Furthermore, it is very likely that the schedule we keep in class varies with the one proposed below.  Regardless of the material covered, all quizzes, exams, and assignment dates on the syllabus will stand.  It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with any changes made to the course syllabus.  

Intermediate Microeconomics
Course Syllabus

INTRODUCTION

I. Preliminaries

II. Producers, Consumers, and Competitive Markets