Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - ECON 113 D100

Introduction to Microeconomics (3)

Class Number: 3092

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 6, 2023
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focused on basic competencies in microeconomics, this course is suitable for business and other students not intending to specialize in economics. Topics include gains from trade, supply and demand, prices, competition and monopoly, market failures, and government policies. Economic literacy is an important part of the course. Students who have taken ECON 103 first may not then take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Soc.

COURSE DETAILS:

Many of the concepts we will discuss boil down to the premise that individuals’ behavior is driven by the preferences they have, and the scarcities—or constraints—that they face. As we build on this “model” of human behavior, we will develop a set of tools and a unified framework to help us understand how incentives drive individuals’ behavior, how “gains from trade” arise from interactions between individuals, and what factors determine how individuals share these gains, and finally how markets and firms transacting with each other function. This will ultimately help us introduce and achieve a deep understanding of the foundational concepts of “supply” and “demand”.

Grading

  • Participation and attendance in tutorials 10%
  • Assignments and Quizzes 10%
  • Midterm exam 35%
  • Final exam (cumulative) 45%

NOTES:

Note: If you show substantial improvement in your final exam, then more weight will be given to your final exam score when computing your final grades. This does not apply if you do not show up for the midterm exam.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

This textbook is for sale at the Bookstore, or you can access the e-book for free (a bargain!) at http://www.core-econ.org. Note that we are using “The Economy” and not the other textbooks on the CORE website. There is a lot of material in this book that we will not cover. We will only be covering certain units, and I will make explicit to you which you need to read for the course.

Other materials, such as extra readings, lecture slides, etc., will be posted on Canvas

 


ISBN: 9780198810247

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 semester 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.