Spring 2025 - ECON 427W D100
Industrial Organization: Law and Economics (3)
Class Number: 2537
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
BurnabyJan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Douglas Allen
allen@sfu.ca
1 778 782-3445
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Prerequisites:
ECON 201 and ECON (or BUEC) 333 or ECON 302, all with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An in depth examination of the application of economic reasoning to the law. The course considers how legal relationships influence behavior and how economic models can explain the structure of the law. A selected number of topics will be covered, and may include the economic approach to common law; property rights; contracts; torts; criminal behavior; family law; and corporate bankruptcy law. Students with credit for BUEC 427 or BUEC 495 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course uses economic theory to understand the general structure of law. It is not a law course. Specifically, it analyzes the economic logic of law, how alterations in laws influence the allocation of resources, and how general economic activity feedback and influence the law. In doing so it provides a theory of the legal regime. The course begins with a general discussion of economic reasoning and the concept of efficiency. It then examines the Coase Theorem in considerable detail. After these introductory foundations, we move on to cover the legal topics of property, contracts, family, torts, and crime. These topics should take the entire semester. If time permits we may briefly cover such topics as anti-trust and public enforcement
This is a “W” course, which means there is a very serious reading and writing component. Students will complete writing assignments as well as a term paper. Participation in weekly discussions is mandatory. Which means doing the assigned reading is also mandatory. Each student will be expected to lead at least part of one seminar.
Grading
- Participation 20%
- Weekly Written Assignments 10%
- Midterm 15%
- Term Paper 25%
- Final Exam 30%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Economic Analysis of Property Rights” by Yoram Barzel and Douglas W. Allen. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2023.
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.