{"id":17,"date":"2013-01-24T20:05:05","date_gmt":"2013-01-24T20:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/rahmed\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2019-12-05T18:17:49","modified_gmt":"2019-12-05T18:17:49","slug":"microeconomics-theory","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/rahmed\/courses\/microeconomics-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"Econ 301: Microeconomics Theory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fall 2019<\/p>\n

Class Time: MWF 9:00-9:50 am (section 01) and 10:00 -10:50 (section 02)
\nClass Room: SH S201
\nInstructor: Rasha Ahmed
\nOffice: DM 301 B
\nEmail: rasha.ahmed@trincoll.edu
\nOffice Phone: 860 297 2446
\nStudy Groups: W 12:30 – 1:30 and F 1:00 – 2:00 pm, other office hours by\u00a0appointment
\nTeaching Assistant: Anh Pham and Rayan Ali<\/p>\n

TA sessions: Anh Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm McCook 106, Rayan Sunday 5:00 -6:00 pm. Both sessions open to all Econ 301 students.<\/p>\n

Course Description and objectives\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\nThe course introduces some of the tools that economists use to understand and analyze behavior. Specifically, the course explains how individuals and firms make decisions and how their interaction determines production, prices as well as several economic outcomes.<\/p>\n

At the end of the course I expect students to acquire the following skills:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Understand\u00a0the basic structure of standard economic models<\/li>\n
  2. Explain how the results would change with the underlying assumptions<\/li>\n
  3. Use theoretical models to analyze simple real world problems<\/li>\n
  4. Develop an intuitive understanding of micro theory<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Textbooks and Reading Material:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
    \nThe textbook for this course is:<\/p>\n

    Varian, Hal.\u00a0Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach. W. W. Norton and Company, 9th edition.<\/p>\n

    The accompanying practice book:<\/p>\n

    Bergstrom, Theodore and Hal Varian.\u00a0Intermediate Microeconomics Workouts.\u00a0W. W. Norton and Company, 9th edition.<\/p>\n

    Grading:<\/em><\/strong>
    \nThe grade for this class will be calculated as follows:
    \nExam 1 \u00a0(October 11) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 25%
    \nExam 2 \u00a0(November 15) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 25%
    \nFinal Exam \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a030%
    \nQuizzes \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 10%
    \nWorkouts and Participation \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a010%<\/p>\n

    Class Work and Expectations<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Book Chapters\/ Applications: You are required to review the chapters that will be covered beforehand. \u00a0This will help you better understand and follow the material covered during class.<\/li>\n
    2. Class Discussion: You are required to participate in class discussion. \u00a0Participation in class discussion by asking or answering questions or commenting on the material will greatly enhance your understanding. Students who participate in class discussions typically do better.<\/li>\n
    3. Workouts: There will be weekly problems assigned from the Workouts book. The assigned problems are lised in the course outline section below with the due date. I expect you to solve all the problems assigned and consult with me or the TA if you need help. These problems will improve your understanding of the subject matter<\/li>\n
    4. Weekly Quizzes: There will be a weekly quiz every Monday morning on the material covered the week before.\u00a0\u00a0The quiz will take no longer than 10 minutes and will highly resemble the Workout problems.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Several students find that while they understand the material in class, they do not necessarily do well in quizzes or exams.\u00a0 I want to remind you that success in this class requires a lot of dedication.\u00a0 I expect you to<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Spend 9 hours\/week on the material<\/li>\n
      2. Be engaged in class<\/li>\n
      3. Actively participate in class solving problems and asking questions<\/li>\n
      4. Practice in class, Practice in a group, Practice independently<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Policies<\/em><\/strong>
        \n1. Class attendance is required. Please come on time<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. No cell phones, laptops or electronic devices can be used in class.<\/li>\n
        2. I expect you to check your email regularly.<\/li>\n
        3. If you accumulate more than two unexcused absences, 1% will be deducted from your final grade for every class missed. \u00a0Excused absences are those absences for which I receive a note from the Dean of Students\u2019 office.\u00a0 I expect you to consult with me or the TA regarding the material you miss.<\/li>\n
        4. If you absolutely must miss an exam, you have to contact me immediately. A make-up exam shall be given\u00a0only <\/em>if official documents from the dean’s office are provided supporting a valid reason for missing the exam. The format of the make-up exam will be at my discretion.\u00a0 I will not give a makeup exam if you miss an exam without a legitimate reason.<\/li>\n
        5. It is your responsibility to collect your quiz from the TA<\/li>\n
        6. There are no “extra credit” assignments given any time during the semester to substitute for a poor grade.<\/li>\n
        7. Dishonest conduct or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please refer to the Student Handbook for a review of requirements.<\/li>\n
        8. For ECON 301 to count towards the economics major or to satisfy as a prerequisite for other economics classes, a grade of C+ must be earned (If the course is retaken, a grade of B- must be earned).\u00a0 Note that ECON 301, may be retaken only once.<\/strong><\/li>\n
        9. Students whose combined grade on the two midterm exams is less than a C+ have to meet with their advisers to fill an alternate major form.<\/li>\n
        10. \u00a0Students with Academic Accommodations- Trinity College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.\u00a0 If you have a documented disability and require academic accommodations, please present your accommodations letter during my office hours\u00a0within\u00a0the first week of the semester.\u00a0 If you do not have a letter but have a disability requiring academic accommodations, or\u00a0if you\u00a0have questions about applying for academic accommodations, please contact Lori Clapis.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Finally, I expect you to assume an active role in your learning, work closely with the material, identify your challenges and seek help if needed.\u00a0 While micro theory is a tough course, it is a very rewarding learning experience.\u00a0 You are encouraged to speak with me directly should any concerns or difficulties arise. \u00a0I am happy to work with students who need extra help. \u00a0Please feel free to drop by during office hours, send an email or speak with me following class time.<\/p>\n

          Course Outline\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

          The following is an outline of the chapters that will be covered. The outline and dates are intended as a guide and may be changed during the semester.<\/p>\n

          Week 1: Sept 4, 6<\/strong><\/p>\n