Sociology

SAMUEL NOCITO

1. Knowledge and understanding: this course should provide the students with a general introduction to the study of Economics, in its main sub-disciplines, the Microeconomics (consumption, production and price formation in markets) and Macroeconomics (GDP, Employment and Growth).
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: after having passed the exam students should be able to to apply the major economic tools learned during the course to their future work interests
3. Critical faculties: students are expected to be able to read and interpret an economic diagram as well a table of economic data.
4. Communications skills. Students are expected to master the economic reasoning and the appropriate terminology used in economic disciplines.
5. Learning skills: by training in the use of simple economic models and in the reading of economic data the students will be able to use both tools in their future career

The student will be able to recognize and describe the fundamental concepts of microeconomics (consumption, production, market exchange) and macroeconomics (national product, employment, inflation, economic growth). They will demonstrate an understanding of the main theories and introductory models presented in the reference textbook. The student will be able to apply basic economic principles to the analysis of concrete problems in social and economic contexts. They will be able to use elementary tools (graphs, tables, simplified models) to interpret economic phenomena in different contexts. The student will be able to critically read and interpret graphs and economic data, identifying their implications, limitations, and possible alternative interpretations. They will demonstrate awareness of the constraints and simplifications inherent in basic economic models. The student will be able to present basic economic concepts using appropriate and accurate language, employing the terminology of the discipline. They will be able to argue clearly, adopting forms of logical reasoning that are both inductive and deductive. The acquisition of theoretical and methodological foundations will enable the student to independently approach the reading of basic economic texts. The student will develop the skills necessary to further explore economic issues in the future, particularly as applied to the sociological context.

Basic knowledge of calculus and geometry (high school level)

Microeconomics: Supply, Demand, and Markets (Chapters 1-13).
Macroeconomics: National Accounts, Keynesian Multiplier, and IS-LM model (Chapters 18-27).

Textbook: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore.

"Economics" XXII ed. or later, Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editor.

Theoretical analysis through lectures. Mathematical applications through exercises.

Optional attendance

The exam consists of a written test (multiple choice questions and numerical exercises).

In a “planned economy” decisions are made by:
a. the economic agents operating in the market
b. the state and the free market
c. the state
d. None of the listed options

• The basics of economics
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 1


• Markets and the state in a modern economy
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 2


• Demand and supply
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 3


• Consumer theory (with a dedicated exercise)
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 4


• Production theory
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 5


• Cost analysis
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 6


• Equilibrium in competitive markets (with exercise)
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 7


• Monopoly
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 8


• Oligopoly and game theory
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 9


• Monopolistic competition
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 10


• Economic efficiency in markets
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 11


• Markets for the factors of production
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 12


• Beyond the competitive market
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 13


• Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 18


• Aggregate demand and supply
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 19


• Unemployment
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 20


• Inflation
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 21


• Consumption and investment
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 22


• The multiplier model
  • Books: "Economia" XXII ed. di Samuelson, Nordhaus e Bollino, McGraw Hill editore. Chapter 23