Syllabus

Title
1788 Advanced Microeconomics I (Science Track)
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr.Dr. Ulrich Berger
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/14/20 to 10/01/20
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 10/07/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 10/14/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 10/21/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 10/28/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 11/04/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 11/11/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 11/18/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 11/25/20 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Procedure for the course when limited activity on campus

The course is held in distance mode.

Contents

Advanced Microeconomics I is an advanced course that teaches selected fundamental topics in microeconomics in more detail. The course starts with an introduction to relations and preference relations, leading to a model of decision-making under risk. It then turns to welfare economics and studies social welfare functions, continuing with utilitarianism and Pareto efficiency. Finally we consider the topic of mechanism design, using auctions as an example. The material is continued in Advanced Microeconomics II.

1. relations and preference relations

2. ordinal utility functions

3. uncertainty and risk

4. preferences over lotteries

5. expected utility

6. welfare economics

7. social welfare functions

8. Arrow’s theorem

9. efficiency and utilitarianism

10. mechanism design

11. efficient auctions

12. dominant-strategy incentive compatibility

Learning outcomes

After attending this course, students will be able to:

  • understand what is "rational" in rational choice theory.
  • justify the standard assumption of expected utility maximization.
  • explain the theoretical basics of welfare comparisons and their limits.
  • understand the basics of mechanism design.
Attendance requirements

The attendance requirement is met, if a student is present at least 80%. Therefore, students are allowed to be absent for one teaching unit.

Students should have a good knowledge of introductory microeconomics and game theory. The most important requirement, however, is the willingness to engage with formal (axiomatic) reasoning and proofs.

NOTE: Advanced Microeconomics I is continued by Advanced Microeconomics II. It is in principle possible to only complete the first course (e.g. for exchange students who need just 4 ECTS), but it is not recommended.

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • Lectures with material developed on the whiteboard and supported by slides
  • Discussion of examples

Slides and exercises will be uploaded on learn@wu. Students are requested to prepare for each class with the provided material.

Assessment

There will be six short quizzes (30%) and a written final take-home exam (70%). Up to 10% can additionally be gained by active participation, i.e. by answering questions raised during the course or contributing to the discussion thoughtfully. A retake of the final exam will also be offered for those not reaching 50% in total.

Participants who are enrolled in the old "Masterstudium Volkswirtschaft" and need 6 ECTS for this course have to write an additional seminar thesis the topic of which is to be arranged personally with the instructor.

Availability of lecturer(s)

e-mail: ulrich.berger@wu.ac.at

phone: 01/31336-4562

Last edited: 2020-12-28



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