ECO3001 : Advanced Microeconomics

  • Module Leader(s): Dr Francis Kiraly
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

Semester 1 aims: To provide an overview of modern microeconomics at an advanced undergraduate level by extending the analysis of perfectly competitive markets, considering the effects of: missing markets and trade frictions, market power, time, uncertainty and strategic interaction.

Semester 2 aims: To introduce students to the study of economic behaviour under asymmetric information and to analyse the welfare implications of asymmetric information on market outcomes.

Outline Of Syllabus

Semester 1 Syllabus:

TOPIC 1: General Equilibrium
Exchange and Competitive Equilibrium. Core equivalence.

TOPIC 2: Welfare Economics
Social Welfare Functions.

TOPIC 3: Missing Markets
Externalities and Coase Theorem.

TOPIC 4: Market Power
Weak and strong monopoly.

TOPIC 5: Strategic Interaction.
Game theory - static and dynamic games. Repeated games. Signalling games.

TOPIC 6. Bargaining
Nash bargaining. Alternative-offers bargaining.

TOPIC 7: Uncertainty
Choice under uncertainty.

TOPIC 8: Trade Frictions
Search theory. Equilibrium search models.

Semester 2 Syllabus:

TOPIC 1: Search and Matching
Price dispersion. Matching.

TOPIC 2: Hidden Information and Adverse Selection.
Adverse selection in labour, goods and insurance markets.

TOPIC 3: Screening
Screening contracts.

TOPIC 4: Signalling
Signalling in labour, goods and financial markets.

TOPIC 5: Hidden Action and Moral Hazard.
Moral hazard in labour and insurance markets.

TOPIC 6: Contract Theory
Employment contracts. Insurance contracts.

TOPIC 7: Auction theory
First price and second price auctions.

TOPIC 8: Bargaining
Bargaining with incomplete information.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Academic Staff Contact Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion162:0062:000:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture142:0028:0028:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading150:0050:000:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:0010:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study150:0050:000:00N/A
Total200:0038:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1.Lectures provide an in-depth presentation of theoretical models and required techniques, as well as guidance on how to apply the analysis to real-world economic situations.

2.Seminars take students through applications of lecture material and provide solutions to problem sets done in independent study.

3.Independent study involves following up reading list references and practicing analytical skills.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1201A50Unseen
Written Examination1202A50Unseen
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Exam tests understanding of advanced Microeconomic theories and their application to real market situations.

Reading Lists

Timetable

Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.