Spring 2024 - ECON 302 D200

Microeconomic Theory II: Strategic Behavior (4)

Class Number: 4039

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 18, 2024
    Thu, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 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 will introduce students to game theory and strategic behavior. Game theory is an essential part of an economist’s toolbox.  It has wide applications in all branches of economics, as well as other disciplines such as political science, biology, and psychology. We will cover topics like choice under uncertainty, game theory (simultaneous move games, sequential move games, games of asymmetric information, bargaining games) and its applications, and market failure (market power, public goods and externalities).

Grading

  • 1 Midterm exam 25%
  • 2 Midterm exam 25%
  • Final exam 50%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Any of the following textbooks (any edition is fine): 

Varian, H. R., Intermediate Microeconomics, W. W. Norton. 

Besanko and Braeutigam, Microeconomics, Wiley. 

Perloff, Microeconomics: Theory and Applications with Calculus, Pearson Education. 

McAfee and Lewis, Introduction to Economic Analysis, Saylor Foundation. https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/47


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.