1

CSU Sacramento George A. Jouganatos, Ph.D.Economics Department Fall 2014

COURSE SYLLABUS ECONOMICS 100B: INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS

This course is an intermediate level study of microeconomics. Working knowledge of algebraand geometry is necessary. An adequate foundation in principles of microeconomics is veryimportant.

We will cover with some depth consumer theory, firm theory, market structures, and inputmarkets. We will learn that microeconomic thinking and behavior is often intuitive and‘naturalist.’ Numerous applications and real world extensions, as well as traditional and criticalperspectives, will be employed. The general topics are listed below.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Frank, Robert H., Microeconomics and Behavior, 8 ed., McGraw-Hill, Irwin.th

Previous editions of this text are on Reserve at the library.

Dollars and Sense Collective, Real World Micro 20 edition, Dollars and Sense Publishing.th

(Henceforth, referred to as D&S.) Previous editions of this text are on Reserve at the library.

SUGGESTED REGULAR READINGS:

Wallstreet Journal and Businessweek magazine or other business and economics news press. TheEconomist magazine is also highly enriching.

www.wsj.com/fall14

SUGGESTED READINGS:

Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backwards, Ursula LeGuin’s The Dispossessed and Aldous Huxley’sBrave New World.

On occasion, I may discuss pertinent news events in class periodically. Highly informative andinteresting videos will perhaps be shown during lecture.

2

APPROXIMATE GRADING BASIS and EXAMINATION SCHEDULE:

For your benefit and your peers, read the assignments before attending class. Study themafterwards. Prepare for the exams early. It would be useful to form study groups. See me orcontact me whenever you need help or have questions (and preferably not at the last moment).You will be given study guides a couple of days before each exam. No “make-up” exams will begiven unless the student has a verifiable emergency. The exams will primarily consist of multiplechoice questions. Please visit the authors’ web site for practice questions and other usefulinformation. Go to: www.mhhe.com/frank8e .Then click on ‘Student Edition.’ Forming studygroups is highly recommended. This is a very rigorous course. You will need to keep up withthe material everyday. You may need to review your microeconomics principles text.

The essay will consist of a typed 1-2 page summary of the main points of an article fromReal World Micro. It is due no later than the last day of instruction (Dec 11 ).th

First Short Exam 22.5% Second Short Exam 22.5%Third Short Exam 22.5%Final Exam 22.5%Participation/Problems/Essay

potential presentations 10%

Please note, other “in-class” or “take-home” assignments will be given on a as needed basis.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Assignments Topics

Frank D&S

Week 1: chpt. 1 Chpt. 1 Economic thinking

Week 2: chpt. 2 Chpt. 2 Supply and demand

Week 3: chpt. 3 Consumer theory Week 4: chpt. 4 Chpt. 3 Individual and market demand

FIRST SHORT EXAMINATION: Sept 29 th

3

Week 5: chpt. 5 Rational choice, demand, and applications

Week 6: chpt. 6 Economics of information and decision-making underuncertainty

Week 7: chpt. 7 Importance of altruism and nonegoistic behavior

Week 8: chpt. 8 Consumer behavior and cognitive limitations

SECOND SHORT EXAMINATION: Oct 27 th

Week 9: chpt. 9 Chpt. 4 Production

Week 10: chpt. 10 Costs

Week 11: chpt. 11 Chpt. 5 Perfect competition

Week 12: chpt. 12 Monopoly

THIRD SHORT EXAMINATION: Nov 19 th

Week 13: chpt. 13 Chpt. 8 Imperfect competition; game theory

Week 14: chpt. 14 Chpts.6&7 Labor

Week 15: chpt. 15 Chpt. 9 Capital

FINAL EXAMINATION: Wednesday Dec 17 10:15-12:15.th

OFFICE HOURS: Mon, Tues & Wed 1:30-2:30 and by appt.

Please do not hesitate to contact me!

OFFICE: Benicia 1019 PHONE: 278-4624email: gaj@csus.edu

4

Please have your cell phones off. No texting nor web surfing in class. Come toclass on time, be prepared please.

All students are expected to adhere to the University Student Code of Conduct outlined in theCSUS University Policy Manual. If you have questions regarding plagiarism and the appropriateway to give credit to sources in any work you submit, review the Policy Manual or confer withthe instructor. Academic dishonesty is not tolerated, will be reported to Judicial Affairs, and willresult in a failing grade. Please read the policy manual carefully in the college catalogue.

Student Tutorial on how not to plagiarizehttp://library.csus.edu/content2.asp?pageID=353

Please have your cell phones turned off while in lecture. No texting while in class! (Evenbefore class starts, no texting nor surfing. When I walk in to the room, I expect no cellphone usage or texting. Instead, you should be reviewing the material, notes, or discussingthe material with students.)

Make good use of your time. These rules/expectations are meant to help you. I want you to beable to enjoy the material and become enriched. This requires your focus and preparation. Beingconcerned with texting, emails, cell phone calls will diminish your focus and attentiveness andincrease your anxiety.

Please read “A Tough-Love Manifesto for Professors” written by Thomas Benton: ‘Google the articletitle or author and you will find it easily.

Please check you’re your saclink email account daily. I will send you messages andattachments for your file for this course.