Spring 2016 Econ 306

Intermediate Microeconomics

Professor Walter E. Williams

Spring, 2016

Mason Hall – D005 Office: Mason Hall-158

Office Hours: Tu. 9-11; W. 9-11

and by appointment (993-1148)

**COURSE OUTLINE*

Text: Edgar K. Browning and Mark A. Zupan: Microeconomics: Price Theory and Applications John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 10th or 11th edition, 2012)
Optional Text: Study Guide to Accompany Microeconomics: Price Theory and Applications
The following represents both an approximation of our schedule and the minimum reading requirements for the semester. There will be two or three problem sets, a mid-term and final examination. In addition there will be periodic unannounced quizzes consisting of true/false and multiple choice questions. Therefore, for each class you should bring a No. 2 pencil and a Scantron.

Your final grade will be based upon performance on problem sets (15%), midterm examination (30%), final examination (45%), and unannounced quizzes (10%).

Jan. 19 Introduction Supply & Demand Reading Assignment: Chapter 1

Jan. 26 Supply & Demand Reading Assignment: Chapter 2 and reread Chapter 1

Feb. 2 Supply & Demand Reading Assignment: Reread Chapter 2 and begin Chapter 3

Feb. 9 Consumer Choice Reading Assignment: Chapter 3

Feb. 16 Consumer Choice Reread Chapter 3 and begin Chapter 4

Feb. 23 Consumer Behavior (Applications) Reading Assignment: Chapter 5

Mar. 3 Mid-term (Tentative)

Mar. 7-13 Spring Break

Mar. 15 Production Reading Assignment: Chapter 7

Mar. 22 Production & Costs Reading Assignment: Chapter 8

Mar. 29 Pure Competition Reading Assignment: Chapters 9 & 10

Apr. 5 Monopoly Reading Assignment: Chapters 11 & 12

Apr. 12 Oligopoly & Monopolistic Competition Reading Assignment: Chapters 13 & 15

Apr. 19 Labor Markets Reading Assignment: Chapter 16

Apr. 26 Intertemporal Choice Reading Assignment: Chapter 17

May 3 Assignment to be announced

May 10 Final Examination (7:30 a.m., NO EXCEPTIONS)

References

William Baumol, Economic Theory and Operations Analysis, 4th ed. (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1977). This text will prove valuable in teaching the student the elementary mathematics necessary for the problem sets that will be required this semester. Particularly valuable are chapters 2, 3, and 4. (The book has been placed on e-reserve at Johnson Center Library.)