The course of Microeconomics provides the main analytical tools for studying economics and main concepts for understanding the agents’ behaviour (households and firms) and the conditions for achieving market equilibrium.

The course is based on 4 modules: 1) economics and evolution of the historical thought, scopes and methods of economics, main characteristics of economic analysis; 2) analysis of consumer behaviour; 3) analysis of firm behaviour; 4) markets: perfect competition, monopoly, imperfect competition and game theory

None

- Knowledge and understanding: Students will have to acquire knowledge of the main theoretical tools developed to understand consumer behaviour, company behavior and the equilibrium that emerges in the goods market. The teaching methods with which these results will be achieved will consist of: lectures, analysis and discussions of concrete cases, group work and in-depth seminars.

- Applied knowledge and understanding: Students will have to acquire the knowledge to analyze the functioning of the main forms of markets, the well-being that consumers and businesses acquire from exchange, and the role of the state in the functioning of the market. The teaching methods with which these results will be achieved will consist of: lectures, analysis and discussions of concrete cases, group work and in-depth seminars. 

- Making judgements: Students will have to acquire the ability to evaluate the costs and benefits of different market configurations and state action, via taxation, in each of them. The teaching methods with which these results will be achieved will consist of: lectures, analysis and discussions of concrete cases, group work and in-depth seminars, production of papers.

- Communication skills: Students will have to acquire the ability to discuss the main microeconomic issues, such as equilibrium, competition, monopoly, surplus, profitability, market power, with conceptual and terminological rigor. The teaching methods with which these results will be achieved will consist of: lectures, analysis and discussions of concrete cases, group work and in-depth seminars, production of papers.

- Ability to learn: Students will have to acquire the ability to continuously keep up to date on the evolution of real markets for digital goods and services. The teaching methods with which these results will be achieved will consist of: lectures, analysis and discussions of concrete cases, group work and in-depth seminars, production of papers.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Regular classroom exercises. Two homeworks  will be arranged during the course and delivered for final assessment

Teaching

Lectures and classroom exercises

Attendance

Attendance no compulsory. Knowledge of the basic elements of general mathematics

Course books

Microeconomia 7th edition (2024). By Michael D. Katz, Harvey S. Rosen, Carlo Andrea Bollino, Wyn Morgan. Editor Mc Graw Hill (or earlier version)

Assessment

The evaluation criteria are: the level of mastery of the theoretical knowledge, of the graphic and mathematical tools used; the degree of articulation of the response; the degree of adequacy of the explanation; the degree of accuracy of the graphic and formal analysis.  The vote is expressed in thirtieths. 

The written exam test. Once the written test has been passed, the student will be able to optionally access an additional oral exam.

The written test lasts one hour. With this test, knowledge will be assessed during the course. The written test includes 2 open questions (for a maximum of 16 points in total); 1 exercise (10 points); and 8 multiple choice questions (total 4 points).  In open questions, the student will have to respond in an articulated and in-depth manner, with the aid of graphs, in such a way as to demonstrate that they have acquired full knowledge and understanding of the topics on the programme. In the exercise the student should apply the main rules of profit maximization and consumer welfare to solve microeconomic problems. In multiple choice questions, the student will have to demonstrate the ability to rework the knowledge acquired in a limited time
Sufficiency is considered achieved with a minimum score of 18/30. A score between 18 and 20 indicates a sufficient level of competence, in which the candidate demonstrates knowledge and understanding. Between 21 and 23 full sufficiency is reached, where applied knowledge and understanding are fully demonstrated. A score between 24 and 26 indicates a good level of competence, as the candidate demonstrates that he has also developed a certain autonomy of judgement. Between 27 and 29 the candidate also demonstrates a certain communication ability, while a score between 30 and 30 with honors indicates an excellent level of competence, where in addition to the previous skills, the candidate also demonstrates having developed the ability to learn .
The proposed assessment can:

- be rejected by the student. In this case the test must be repeated;

- accepted by the student;

- accepted with the addition of an oral test (which can increase or reduce the evaluation of the written test).

During the written test, students are informed of the time at which the results will be communicated and, if necessary, they will take an additional oral test.

Two homework will be assigned to students, to be made during the teaching period. Homework must be submitted through the Esse3 platform. They are instrumental for students to self-assess and prepare for the upcoming exam. Students will be required to discuss the results of the homework in the classroom.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study of the textbook and the teaching material made available on the blended platform

Attendance

Knowledge of the basic elements of general mathematics

Course books

Microeconomia 7th edition (2024). By Michael D. Katz, Harvey S. Rosen, Carlo Andrea Bollino, Wyn Morgan. Editor Mc Graw Hill (or earlier version)

Assessment

The evaluation criteria are: the level of mastery of the theoretical knowledge, of the graphic and mathematical tools used; the degree of articulation of the response; the degree of adequacy of the explanation; the degree of accuracy of the graphic and formal analysis.  The vote is expressed in thirtieths. 
The written exam test. Once the written test has been passed, the student will be able to optionally access an additional oral exam.
The written test lasts one hour. With this test, knowledge will be assessed during the course. The written test includes 2 open questions (for a maximum of 16 points in total); 1 exercise (10 points); and 8 multiple choice questions (total 4 points).  In open questions, the student will have to respond in an articulated and in-depth manner, with the aid of graphs, in such a way as to demonstrate that they have acquired full knowledge and understanding of the topics on the programme. In the exercise the student should apply the main rules of profit maximization and consumer welfare to solve microeconomic problems. In multiple choice questions, the student will have to demonstrate the ability to rework the knowledge acquired in a limited time
Sufficiency is considered achieved with a minimum score of 18/30. A score between 18 and 20 indicates a sufficient level of competence, in which the candidate demonstrates knowledge and understanding. Between 21 and 23 full sufficiency is reached, where applied knowledge and understanding are fully demonstrated. A score between 24 and 26 indicates a good level of competence, as the candidate demonstrates that he has also developed a certain autonomy of judgement. Between 27 and 29 the candidate also demonstrates a certain communication ability, while a score between 30 and 30 with honors indicates an excellent level of competence, where in addition to the previous skills, the candidate also demonstrates having developed the ability to learn .

The proposed assessment can:

- be rejected by the student. In this case the test must be repeated;

- accepted by the student;

- accepted with the addition of an oral test (which can increase or reduce the evaluation of the written test).

During the written test, students are informed of the time at which the results will be communicated and, if necessary, they will take an additional oral test.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.