Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - ECON 402 D100

Advanced Microeconomic Theory (4)

Class Number: 2787

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 18, 2021
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 302 and 331, with a minimum grade of C-. Students who have completed both MATH 232 and 251 may substitute these courses for ECON 331. Entry into this course requires a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced coverage of microeconomic theory for students intending to pursue graduate study in economics. Topics may include general equilibrium, game theory, and asymmetric information. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to the economics of contracts and imperfect information, with applications to public policy. Using basic techniques from game theory and optimization, we will learn how private information and unobservable behavior prevent economic agents from reaching efficient outcomes, and study the design of contracts to address this problem. We apply this material to policy debates including financial markets, health insurance, and educational credentials. Topics covered include:

  • Contracts and the Coase Theorem
  • Moral Hazard
  • Adverse Selection, Screening, and Signaling

Grading

  • In-class quizzes and bi-weekly assignments 10%
  • Short paper 25%
  • Midterm exam 25%
  • Final exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required text for this class. We will use a number of books and some online material, and read journal articles. The course has a Canvas page where all material will be available.


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.