Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - ECON 302 D100

Microeconomic Theory II: Strategic Behavior (4)

Class Number: 2884

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 14, 2021
    Sat, 7:00–10:00 p.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 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 3: 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

Technology requirements: All material will be posted on canvas, and lectures will be given on Zoom (and recorded). A high-speed internet connection is needed with a microphone and a camera. Lectures are delivered synchronously through zoom. Tutorials will be delivered asynchronously and made available on canvas. Submission of the assignments/quizzes/exams will be made via pictures taken and uploaded on canvas. Hence, a picture taking device (other than the one with a camera) will also be required.

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

Grading

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

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None.

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 later in the semester. This will allow students to avoid enrollment conflicts, and will significantly reduce instances of exam hardship. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the final exam period (August 10th -20th) 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 SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment 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. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

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).