ECONOMICS 3113
INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMIC THEORY
FALL SEMESTER 2011 SYLLABUS
Course
Information
Instructor:
Dr. Erik Guzik
Contact: eguzik@usao.edu
Office: 312
Troutt Hall Phone: 574-1269
Course
Description
This course
seeks to explore contemporary microeconomic understandings of the modern
industrial economy, focusing especially upon neoclassical theory. We will
examine the assumptions and logic underlying this theoretical position, as well
as introduce some leading alternative theories of consumption and production,
including positions developed by Veblen, Galbraith,
and Marx. Finally, we will apply different theoretical positions in
exploring such topics as consumerism, the modern corporation,
and technological advance.
Required Texts
We will use two texts in this course, each available at the USAO bookstore:
(1) Microeconomics: Neoclassical and Institutionalist Perspectives on Economic Behavior, Himmelweit, Simonetti, and Trigg. The first four chapters are available online.
(2) Knowledge and Class: A Marxian Critique of Political
Economy, Resnick and Wolff. Also available
online.
Course
Requirements
Exams. There will be two exams given during the regular
semester. A final exam will be administered during
finals week.
Class Assignments. You will be required to complete a set of class
assignments during the semester. Assignments may consist of short-answer
questions, but much more likely will attempt to torture you with a series of graphical and
mathematical problems.
Academic Integrity. Please refer to the Academic Code of
Conduct in the Student Handbook, pp. 14-16.
Course
Grading
Class
Assignments…….…..…15%
Two
Semester Exams.…....….50%
Final Exam……........……..…...35%
Course Outline
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Part
I Introduction to Course: The Nature and Scope of
Current Microeconomic Theory
(a)
Economics and Science
Microeconomics,
Chap. 1, pp. 2-4
(b) The Method and Scope of Neoclassical
Theory
Microeconomics,
Chap. 1, pp. 4-13
Microeconomics, Chap. 1, pp. 14-18
Knowledge and Class, Chap. 1, pp. 25-37
(d) Comparing Theories
Microeconomics, Chap. 1, pp. 19-21
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↑ Current Material ↑ |
Part II
Contending Microeconomic Theories: Examining Assumptions and Logic
Consumption
(a)
Consumer Sovereignty
Microeconomics, Chap. 2
(b) Consumer Dependency
Microeconomics, Chap. 3
(c) Measuring Consumer Welfare
Microeconomics,
Chap. 4Households
(d) Households and the Economy
Microeconomics, Chap. 5
(e) Decision-making in the Household
Microeconomics, Chap. 6
(f) Population Change and Children
Microeconomics, Chap. 7
The first exam will follow completion of chapter 7 (study guide and review slides).
Production
(g)
Firm Behavior
Part 1: Microeconomics, Chap. 8
Knowledge and Class, Chap. 3, pp. 109-158
Part 2: Microeconomics, Chap. 9
Knowledge and class, Chap. 4, pp. 164-177
(h) Firms and Efficiency
Microeconomics, Chap. 10
Knowledge and Class, Chap. 4, pp. 192-226
Markets and Efficient Outcomes
(i) Competitive Equilibrium and Pareto Optimality
Microeconomics, Chap. 18
Part III Applications and Further Comparisons
Power and Control in the Economy
(a)
Knowledge and Class, Chap. 4
Gintis, Bowles, Boyd, and Fehr: Moral Sentiments and Material Interests
Some Alternatives and Course Conclusions
(g)
Social Markets
(h) Contending Theories Revisited
Knowledge and Class, Epilogue, p. 275
REVIEW GUIDE FOR EXAM 2. Review Slides for Exam 2.
THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL WILL NOT BE COVERED ON THE FINAL EXAM:
(b)
Understanding Labor and
Discrimination
Microeconomics, Chap. 12
Knowledge and Class, Chap. pp.
Microeconomics, Chap. 13
(c)
Control in the Workplace
Microeconomics, Chap. 14
(d) The State
Knowledge and Class, Chap. 5, pp. 231-267
Technology and Innovation in the Economy
(e)
(f) Innovation
Microeconomics, Chap. 17