Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - ECON 325 D100

Industrial Organization (3)

Class Number: 1801

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 21, 2020
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Location: TBA

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 or 301; 60 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the economics of imperfect competition. Topics covered include the theory of the firm, market structure, and various aspects of firm strategy such as pricing, advertising, product differentiation, and innovation. Related questions of public policy will also be addressed. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Industrial Organization may also be called Economics of Imperfect Competition. Take a firm with a considerable market power and find out how it behaves, and how it is internally organized. Look at a market where several such firms operate and find out its structure. Make a judgment about efficiency in the market. Come up with a good suggestion about a policy to address the market “imperfections,” or failures. These are the Industrial Organization themes.  

Within these topics, more specific questions may be just about anything – from setting a price for a soft drink to a choice of a spouse to marry. While the latter may seem more useful, the former must be mastered first if you want to approach the life problems as an IO expert. We will work through the core topics such as price discrimination, choice of product quality and variety, basic oligopolistic market models, predatory conduct and collusions. We will then analyze some selected topics that may include mergers, advertising, use of information, research and development, patenting a product, or a theory of a firm.

Grading

  • Assignments 50%
  • Midterm test 25%
  • Final exam 25%
  • These grading weights are subject to changes to be announced during the first week of classes.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Lynne Pepall, Dan Richards and George Norman, Industrial Organization: Contemporary Theory and Empirical Applications (5th edition), 2014, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
ISBN: 978-1118250303

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.