Microeconomics

Course objectives

This course aims to develop an understanding of the framework that economists typically adopt for analysing rational choices made by individuals. On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to relate the basic economic theory and principles to current microeconomic issues. Moreover, they will be able to communicate their knowledge and discuss economic issues using as a reference point the main formal approaches which have deeply disentangled. Finally, students will be able to identify the principles of production and consumption in a market economy thereby defining the equilibirum configuration in different market structures. For these goals to be reached, the students will be provided with exercises and discussions on selected topics will be organized during the course.

Channel 1
MARCO MARINI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The program of the course will cover in detail the following topics: 1. An introduction to Microeconomics; 2. Consumer theory: preferences, budget constraint: preferences, utility, consumer choice, demand, market demand, labour supply, inter-temporal consumption, general equilibrium, welfare economics; 3. Firm theory: technology, production, cost, supply; 4. Market: demand, supply, equilibrium price; 5. Markets: perfect competition, Monopoly, Oligopoly.Game Theory; 6. Welfare, Externalities and Markets.
Prerequisites
Basic algebra. Partial differential calculus, constrained maximization.
Books
Materiali didattici: - Slides - Domande ed esercizi I testi di riferimento per il corso sono i seguenti: Per la I parte I di Microeconomia di base: - H. R. Varian, INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS - Cap. 1 Il mercato - Cap. 2. Il vincolo di bilancio - Cap. 3. Preferenze (escluso "bene discreto", pp.40-42) - Cap.4. Utilita’ + Appendice. - Cap.5. Scelta (escluso "bene discreto", pp.76-77) + Appendice. - Cap.6. Domanda (escluso “Un bene discreto” pp. 101-103).3, 14.6, 14.8, 14.10) - Cap.15. Domanda di mercato (esclusi i par. 15.3, 15.4, 15.7) - Cap.16. Equilibrio (esclusi i par. 16.6, 16.7, 16.8, 16.9) - Cap. 18. Tecnologia - Cap.21. Curve di costo (escluso il par.21.3 e 21.5) - Cap.22. Offerta dell’impresa (escluso il par. 22.9) + Appendice - Cap.24. Monopolio + Appendice
Frequency
Class Lectures are strongly advised
Exam mode
There will be a final written test. Students can ask or be asked to discuss some of the course topics during the exam. In the exam sessions with very few students, the exam will be only ora with written exercises asked orally.
Lesson mode
Teaching methods: Class lectures, applications of the theory to some cases and exercises. Students are strongly encouraged to participate to class activities.
  • Lesson code1025612
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseInternational Economic Relations
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDSECS-P/01
  • CFU9
  • Subject areaEconomico