ECON 301 : Advanced Microeconomics

Business and Economics

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Advanced treatment of aspects of consumer theory, producer theory, and game theory. Applications of this basic theory to the analysis of some topics in uncertainty, contracts, auctions, oligopoly, and information economics.

Course Overview

ECON 301 is a prerequisite for postgraduate study in economics and as such an integral part of the Economics Honours pathway. It is designed to prepare for ECON701, and also as a capstone experience in microeconomics for undergraduate economics students. The objective is to deepen understanding of undergraduate microeconomic theory, introduce some basic technical tools and methods of analysis, and illustrate a range of applications.  The course is taught in a traditional lecture style but much learning will result from students completing the assigned problems.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ECON 201 and 15 points from ENGGEN 150, ENGSCI 111, MATHS 108, 130, 150, 153

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop an appreciation of the methodology of modern microeconomics. (Capability 1 and 4.2)
  2. Develop insight into the historical evolution of the ideas. (Capability 1)
  3. Develop and improve problem-solving skills. (Capability 3)
  4. Analyse some of the journal literature in economics, and practice writing about economic concepts. (Capability 1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Test
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including  tutorials  will  not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

A course book is available along with a large number of exercises.  Detailed answers to many of the exercises will be provided, but typically not until after students have attempted them themselves.  There is no prescribed text but for students who would like a text to accompany the course, the following are recommended: 
For the Course Material: 
Basic: Varian, H.R., (1999,2003,2006,2010,2014), Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach, (5th or subsequent edition), W.W. Norton and Co. 
More Advanced: Jehle, G. and Reny, P. (2011), Advanced Microeconomic Theory, (2nd edition), Pearson. 
Background Reading: 
Nicholson, W. and Snyder, C. (2008,2012) Microeconomic Theory: Basic Principles and Extensions, (10th or subsequent edition), Thomson South-Western.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 27/11/2020 10:06 a.m.