Course title

KIMAP Intermediate Microeconomics

Responsible person
DAVID Michael WOLF
to enter grades
Numbering Code

Day・Period, etc. Fri2(対面)

開講区分

単位数

1st semester

1.0

Timetable Slot
Code1J394

Lesson topic
This is designed as an intermediate course in microeconomics. Topics include: the mathematical foundations ofeconomic theory, the theory of individual economic behavior from the perspective of the consumer and the firm,
welfare economics and markets in perfect competition and general equilibrium. The purpose of this course is toextend students' knowledge of consumer and producer theory, which is one the key elements in the professional
training of an economist, and provide insight into how economic models can be used for policy analysis.

Lesson target
Students will be introduced to calculus-based microeconomic theory, which will be helpful for future work inapplied economics and graduate-level courses in economics. Upon completion of the course, students should be able
to understand how individuals and firms make themselves as well off as possible in a world with scarcity, use basic
calculus to solve optimization problems and apply microeconomic principles and diagrams to explain economic eventsand other real-world phenomena.

Syllabus and plan
Topics:Weeks 1 - 2: Introduction, Administration and Preferences and Utility
Weeks 3 - 4: Consumer Choice
Weeks 5 - 6: Demand and Revealed Preference
Weeks 7 - 8: Income and Substitute Effects and Midterm Achievement Check
Weeks 9 - 10: Technology and Profit Maximization
Weeks 11 - 12: Cost Minimization and Cost Curves
Weeks 13 - 14: Firm Supply and Market Equilibrium
Weeks 15 - 16: Wrap-up, Summary, and Final Exam**Please note, classes scheduled between April 28th and May 14th will be conducted online and on an on-demandbasis. Pre-recorded lecture videos will be provided to students for topics covered during this period.
The schedule is subject to change as the semester progresses. This class will be conducted in principle face-toface. I will notify you via Google Classroom and mention in class beforehand if a class will be conducted online
instead of in person.
In addition, due to university regulations the final exam will be conducted in person and will be scheduled during
the 15th or 16th week of the course. During the non-exam week (i.e., either the 15th or 16th week), a final class
Evaluation method
Quizzes (20%)
Midterm achievement check (30%)
Final exam (50%)

Evaluation baseline
Students should be able to understand and work through problems related to consumer and producer theory. Topics
related to market equilibrium will also be assessed.
The midterm achievement check and final exam will be closed book.
The grading scale used for this course is:
90 - 100: S
80 - 89: A
70 - 79: B
60 - 69: C<60: FailNotice (include info. on related class)Elementary microeconomics and at least one course in calculus should be taken prior to this course if possible. Allstudents are expected to have a firm understanding of functions and differential calculus and a basic understandingof consumer and producer theory (i.e. utility and profit maximization) before entering this course.
Exchange students (special auditing students) are allowed to register for this course.

Review and preparation
Students are expected to read the corresponding chapters from the course textbook before coming to class. I will
also post additional review material, including extra practice problems, on the class webpage throughout thesemester. Please make sure to do these extra problem sets prior to the midterm achievement check and final exam.
I would suggest reviewing differential calculus before the first day of class as some prior understanding offunctions and derivatives is absolutely necessary to be successful in this class.

Office hour・Contact information
Office hours: by appointment only.
Office location: Frontier Hall for Social Sciences Room 812
Email address: wolf@econ.kobe-u.ac.jp

Message for student
Please work through all the examples presented in class and feel free to ask questions at any time if you are everconfused.
You will find this course cumbersome if you do not (1) read the corresponding textbooks chapters before coming toclass and (2) work through the practice problems posted on the class webpage.
Improvemenets in Teaching

Text

Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach 8th Edition / Hal Varian : W W Norton & Co Inc ,2009 ,ISBN:393934241
Reference Material

Microeconomics 8th Edition / Jeffrey Perloff : Pearson ,2018 ,ISBN:9780134519531

Classroom Language
EnglishEnglishKeywords
Microeconomics, calculus, exchange students (special auditing students)
Classes will be conducted partially online (using an on-demand style) and partially face-to-face.