Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - ECON 302 D200

Microeconomic Theory II: Strategic Behavior (4)

Class Number: 2988

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Tue, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2021
    Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 or 301, with a minimum grade of C-; 60 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Aspects of microeconomic theory concerned with strategic behavior, imperfect information, and market failure. Topics include game theory and oligopoly; uncertainty and insurance; asymmetric information and market power, externalities and public goods, together with related issues in welfare economics. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

**This course is reserved for students declared in the ECON major only.

This course is meant to teach interactions between economic agents and understand the economic incentives that come into play under different circumstances such as the presence of externalities, the lack of information, uncertainty and their relevance in the analysis of market failures. The course will be structured as follows:

Part 1: Introduction (demand, supply, Pareto efficiency, competitive equilibrium)

Part 2: monopoly and discrimination

Part 2: externalities and public goods

Part 4: Game theory: Nash equilibrium, pure strategies, mixed strategies

Part 5: Uncertainty

Part 6: Adverse selection

Part 7: Moral hazard

Topics: market failures, uncertainty, Monopoly, game theory




Grading

  • Midterm 20%
  • Final exam 30%
  • 2 problem sets (10% each) 20%
  • 3 in-class quizzes (10% each) 30%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

“Intermediate Microeconomics: a modern approach”, by Hal R. Varian (any edition)

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.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

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 FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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 may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.