University of Alberta

Economics Department

ECON 281 – B1/B3/B4/B5 

Intermediate Microeconomic Theory I

Winter 2021

Instructor: Scott Beesley

Virtual Seminars, Reviews and Exams occur at the “In-Class” Scheduled Times

Monday, Wednesday & Friday B1 - from 10:00 to 10:50AM

NOTE THAT ALL SEMINARS ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM ALL FOUR SECTIONS

Office: Tory Tower 9-13 Phone: 780-248-1322 email: [email protected]

Course Structure: (Class and Seminar Logistics)

The course’s primary contents, i.e. the NOTES, are contained within the videos posted by chapters in e-class. For chapters 1 to 9 there is one folder per chapter – whereas in 10, 11 and 12, there is an added folder with the online materials. These videos are essential, whereas the live seminars, while hopefully useful, are not. The seminars are scheduled to match the usual timing of chapter coverage in a normal term.

The seminars offered live in Zoom provide a chance to review major topics, answer questions, and show additional detailed examples. Most are organized by simple chapter names, e.g. “S 5 - Ch 4 part 1,.” Short chapters have one seminar, the longer ones have two. Other seminars offer exam preparation help or post-exam reviews. Zoom numbers and codes will be posted in e-class.

There are schedules posted for each month, listing the seminars by chapter numbers, plus topics like the exam reviews, etc. Each seminar will be given at least twice, in two of the 4 possible time slots. Any seminar done only twice will be recorded and posted for the use of students who could not attend at either time. SOME seminars will be presented 4 times, in all 4 time slots – those will not be recorded. Students will need to check the schedule frequently, especially if they wish to attend as many seminars as possible.

As a result of the above structure, the Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tu./Th. seminars are interchangeable – all are expected to be the same length (45-60 minutes). As noted earlier, all students are welcome in any seminar. However, EXAMS must be written in the students’ registered time slot.

Office Hours:

The seminar structure described earlier still leaves many of our time slots available for office hours. All time slots not used for seminars or reviews or exams are treated as office hours. These are all listed on the monthly schedules. There are 4 to 6 hours during most weeks. On two occasions near the second midterm there are only 2, but that is because of review classes, for all four sections, before and after that exam.

Prerequisites: Econ 101/204 or the equivalent (the department does check and will remove you if you don’t have 101 or 204).

Course Calendar Description

This course provides an introduction to intermediate microeconomics, in particular consumer theory, producer theory, cost analysis, and a look at competitive and monopoly markets. We provide quantitative details that were absent from Economics 101.

Text: Besanko, D., and R. Braeutigam. Microeconomics, John Wiley, 2014 (5 th ed). You can use the 4th edition, but you are responsible for differences in page numbers. The question numbers seem to be identical. The link below allows direct access to the e-book via our Bookstore.

https://www.campusebookstore.com/integration/AccessCodes/default.aspx?b ookseller_id=10&Course=Winter+2021+ECON+281+B1%2fB3%2fB4%2fB5&frame=Y ES&t=permalink

Book(s) on Reserve: None

NOTE: There is a large amount of material in the course e-class site.

The site is used for the posting of old examinations, secondary notes (i.e. not all notes!), solutions, examples, etc. For Winter 2021 there are of course also many video lectures, as well as video versions of my usual Econ 101 and Math Reviews.

Course Structure: (Chapter Coverage and Exam Contents)

We will complete chapters 1 through 12 of the text, in normal order. The first midterm will cover chapters 1 to 5, while the second will cover chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9. The second midterm will only include questions from chapters 6 to 9. The final exam will be cumulative, but more heavily weighted (i.e. 2/3) towards chapters 10, 11 and 12. The chart below (over) lists chapter topics and some omissions. 

Grade Determination: Note that I don’t apply/enforce any particular grade distribution – the usual median letter grade is a B-. Letter grade boundaries are placed where there are gaps between pools of students.

Examinations: 100% of your grade is determined by your exam results. Three sets of old exams are posted – note that the exams are 30% multiple-choice.

ONLINE EXAM INFORMATION:

I will be sending out the midterms, and later the final, at the scheduled dates and times (i.e. your scheduled “class” time on the given date). You will complete the exams on your own, then photograph your work and send it back to me. You may treat the exams as “open book.” You will be given 15 minutes extra on the midterms and 30 on the final, to allow for taking and submitting the pictures. This implies a total time of 65 minutes for the midterms and 3 hours for the final exam. Exams are to be done in your own handwriting.

You should receive your exam within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time – let me know if you don’t get it by then. Your clock starts when you get it. If you have trouble sending the photos back, let me know ASAP.

Midterm I: 25%, written on Feb. 8 in B1 and B3, and Feb. 9 in B4 and B5

Midterm II: 25%, written on March 17 in B1 and B3, and March 18 in B4 and B5

Final Exam: 50%, scheduled for:

B1 April 21 at 2:00 PM

B3 April 27 at 9:00 AM

B4 April 20 at 2:00 PM

B5 April 22 at 9:00 AM

(you must check the date and time later – check both Bear Tracks and the text format list on the registrar’s site and be sure they agree)

Previous Exams for Review:    Note that there are three full sets of old exams posted in e-class (with detailed solutions). In my 281 classes, these exams, and the posted and in-class problems, are much more important than text problems.

Missed exams:

1) Note that the University has made a change to the policy regarding missed midterm exams and other term work. Medical notes can no longer be required, in the event of such missed work. The student may choose to provide a Medical Declaration Form, but again, that is not a requirement.

In general, ONE missed midterm will result in the weight being transferred to the final exam (my policy only - Beesley). Refer to section 23.4(3) of the Calendar. Students who miss or skip one midterm can still write the final, however they are subject to the condition below:

NOTE: STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO WRITE AT LEAST ONE MIDTERM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WRITE THE FINAL, AND WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF “F”

Therefore, if illness forces a student to miss the first midterm, then, given the above rule, they MUST write the second midterm. If the student is again sick, or misses the second midterm for any other reason (e.g. a flat tire, etc.), then they must contact the instructor to arrange a late midterm. Failure to make such arrangements will result in a failing grade!

2) If you miss the final exam for a valid medical reason or severe domestic affliction, you may apply to your own Faculty for the privilege of a rewrite. (This is not always granted!) Please refer to section 23.5.6 of the University Calendar for the proper procedure. The Faculties of Arts and Science require that the student complete a Statutory Declaration for in support of their request for a deferred final.

Behavior and ethics

Students should know the university’s Code of Student Behaviour and abide by it (see below). You are advised to read section 30.3.2 on “Inappropriate Academic Behavior” in particular. I do not tolerate loud talking in class, the noisy use of phones etc., and will ask you to leave the class after one warning.

Code of Conduct

Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.

The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect.

Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.

Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).

Technology for Remote Learning

This is an IST page regarding the technology necessary for remote learning:

https://www.ualberta.ca/information-services-and-technology/services/software-hardware-vendors/technology-requirements.html

There is an alternative way to access UofA email. Details are available here:

Email and Calendaring | Information Services and Technology

Resources which students may wish to access

o    Academic Success Centre: The Student Success Centre (https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-success-centre ) offers a variety of learning resources, including a variety of workshops in learning effective study and exam strategies. Sessions are available in person and online, for a modest fee.

o    Many other services can be found from https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students .

Territorial Statement:

“The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.”

• The General Office Dept of Economics General Office is open from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, albeit CLOSED for lunch from 12 to 1 PM Good luck. SB