Syllabus

Title
6114 Advanced Microeconomics I (Science Track)
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr.Dr. Ulrich Berger
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/13/23 to 02/19/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 03/07/23 02:30 PM - 05:30 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 03/14/23 02:30 PM - 05:30 PM D4.0.019
Tuesday 03/21/23 02:30 PM - 05:30 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 03/28/23 02:30 PM - 05:30 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 04/18/23 02:30 PM - 05:30 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 04/25/23 02:30 PM - 05:30 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 05/02/23 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM TC.5.05
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 preferences, 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.

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 Canvas. Students are requested to prepare for each class with the provided material.

Assessment

There will be several homeworks (weight 30%) and a written final exam (60%). The remaining 10% can be gained by active participation, i.e. by answering questions raised during the course or contributing to the discussion thoughtfully.

Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Recommended previous knowledge and skills

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.

Availability of lecturer(s)

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

phone: 01/31336-4562

Last edited: 2023-02-14



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