The textbook is Michael Parkin F. Microeconomics, edition 10 (Pearson). The
supplementary book is required and will be the reading for the writing
assignments.
ECONOMICS 103 Honors: Introduction to Microeconomics Fall 2012: MW 11:15 – 12:30 216 Dickinson Prof. Diane Flaherty Room 826 Thompson
Email:
[email protected] Office Hours: Tu 1- 2:15 and W 12:45 - 2
The textbook and supplementary book The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with basic economic concepts used in the theory of consumer choice and production and applications to current economic issues like inequality and public support for education. The textbook is Michael Parkin F Microeconomics, edition 10 (Pearson). The supplementary book is required and will be the reading for the writing assignments. It is Dan Ariely Predictably Irrational (Harper Perennial). Both books are available in the Textbook Annex. Department course website The course also uses an Economics Department website to provide important information such as this syllabus and information about quizzes, exams and the writing assignments. Review questions will be posted on the department course website as well. You will need to check this web site at http://courses.umass.edu/econ103h . Assessment and grading Assessment and grading are based on two midterm exams, a final exam and two writing assignments. The midterm exams count for 20 percent each, the final exam for 40 percent and each writing assignment for 10 percent of the grade for the course. The midterm exams will be on Wednesday, October 10 and Wednesday, November 14, both during class time. The writing assignments are based on the supplementary reading, Dan Ariely Predictably Irrational (Harper Perennial). Each writing assignment is to choose one chapter and write a critical analysis of the chapter based on the microeconomic concepts in the textbook. The exact topic of the assignments will be chosen in consultation with Professor Flaherty. Each assignment is to be 3 – 5 pages in length. The first assignment is due Monday, October 29th and the second on Wednesday, December 5th. General course policies Make-up exams will be given only in cases of documented medical or personal emergencies. Please make sure that you do not arrange for travel at the end of the term until you know the final exam schedule. University policy is that final exams can be rescheduled only in cases of direct time conflicts between exams or three exams scheduled in one day. For exams, quizzes, writing assignments and homework, University policy on conduct and academic honesty will be followed strictly. The policies are available at http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/code_conduct/.
1
Schedule for readings in the Parkin text Date 5-Sep 10-Sep 12-Sep 17-Sep 19-Sep 24-Sep 26-Sep 1-Oct 3-Oct 9-Oct 10-Oct 15-Oct 17-Oct 22-Oct
Chapter number and topic 1. What is Economics? 3. Demand and Supply 3. Demand and Supply 4. Elasticity 4. Elasticity 5. Efficiency and Equity 5. Efficiency and Equity 6. Government Action in markets 16. Public choices and goods 16. Public choices and goods Midterm 1 8. Utility and demand 8. Utility and demand 9. Preferences and choices
2
Date
Chapter number and topic
24-Oct 29-Oct
9. Preferences and choices 10. Production and writing assignment 1 due 10. Production 11. Output and costs 11. Output and costs Midterm 2 12. Perfect competition 12. Perfect competition 13. Monopoly 13. Monopoly 14. Monopolistic competition 15. Oligopoly and writing assignment 2 due
31-Oct 5-Nov 7-Nov 14-Nov 19-Nov 21-Nov 26-Nov 28-Nov 3-Dec 5-Dec
