课程概况
We make economics decisions every day: what to buy, whether to work or play, what to study. We respond to markets all the time: prices influence our decisions, markets signal where to put effort, they direct firms to produce certain goods over others. Economics is all around us.
This course is an introduction to the microeconomic theory of markets: why we have them, how they work, what they accomplish. We will start with the concept of scarcity and how specialization according to comparative advantage helps us achieve more than we could alone. Next we model a marked using the tools of Supply and Demand and learn what well working markets accomplish and what their limit are. We end by exploring the impact of government intervention on perfect markets. Examples are taken from everyday life, from goods and services that we all purchase and use. We will apply the theory to current events and policy debates through weekly exercises. These will empower you to be an educated, critical thinker who can understand, analyze and evaluate market outcomes.
课程大纲
第 1 周 The Concept of Scarcity
Introduction
Opportunity Cost
Production Possibility Frontier
Production Possibilities Frontier and Growth
Further Study
Quiz: Opportunity Cost
Quiz: Production Possibility Frontier (PPF)
Quiz: Production Possibilities Frontier and Growth
第 2 周 Specialization & Trade
Introduction
Comparative Advantage
Trade
Further Study
Quiz: Comparative Advantage
Quiz: Trade
第 3 周 Supply and Demand
The Demand Curve
The Supply Curve
Market Equilibrium
A Change in Market Equilibrium
Review and Further Study
Quiz: The Demand Curve
Quiz: The Supply Curve
Quiz: Market Equilibrium
Quiz: A Change in Market Equilibrium
第 4 周 Understanding Markets: Elasticities, Market Surplus, Efficiency, and Equity
Elasticity of Demand
Elasticity of Demand and Revenue
Other Elasticity Terms
Consumer and Producer Surplus
Quiz: Elasticity of Demand
Quiz: Elasticity of Demand & Revenue
Quiz: Other Elasticity Terms
Quiz: Consumer and Producer Surplus
第 5 周 When Government Intervenes
Price Intervention
Taxes
Subsidies
Government Intervention
Conclusion
Quiz: Price Intervention
Quiz: Taxes
Quiz: Subsidies
Quiz: Government Intervention
Quiz: Final Exam
