Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - ECON 803 G100

Microeconomic Theory I (4)

Class Number: 2503

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 802 or equivalent.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Covers: (i) individual decision-making (including choice theory, consumer choice, producer choice, and choice under uncertainty); (ii) competitive markets (including Pareto optimality and welfare analysis); (iii) general equilibrium (including equilibrium under uncertainty and equilibrium and time).

COURSE DETAILS:

 

Description:

This course covers the fundamental topics of decision theory and game theory. We will then apply these basic topics to situations involving asymmetric information, including insurance and education.

 

The outline is as follows:

 

  1. Behaviour under Uncertainty; Expected Utility Theorem

 

  1. Simultaneous Move Games; Extensive Form Games; Repeated Games

 

  1. Adverse Selection, Signaling, Screening.

Grading

NOTES:

There will be one mid-term examination, date TBA, with a weight of 40%, and a final, with a weight of 40%. There will be assignments in most weeks, with a total weight of 20%. These will be marked and taken up by the TA.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

 Mas-Colell, A., Whinston, M.D. and Green, J.R., Microeconomic Theory, Oxford University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-019-507 3409


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.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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.