ECON 1020 Microeconomics

This introductory microeconomics course helps the student understand economic principles relevant to everyday decisions. It focuses on how individuals, companies, and markets respond to the problem of scarcity. Topics include decision-making, supply and demand, market structures, shortages, surpluses, cost curves, and economic systems. The course encourages critical thinking about how economic choices impact society. Prerequisite: Recommend completion of MATH 0920 or test into MATH 0930 or higher. (3 lect.) SOC

Credits

3 credits

Major Topics

  • Introduction to economics and the economy
  • Microeconomics of product markets
  • Perfect competition
  • Monopoly
  • Oligopoly
  • Governmental interventions

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Apply the role of economics to other disciplines including political science, psychology, and business.

2. Graph supply and demand schedules.

3. Define key terms including utility, circular flow, elasticity, externalities, marginal analysis, and asymmetric information.

4. Compare and contrast utility maximization and behavioral economics relating to consumer behavior.

5. Explain the differences in market structures of pure competition, pure monopoly, and oligopoly in terms of price, output, and efficiency.

6. Compare and contrast cost curves: total cost, variable cost, fixed cost, average total cost, average variable cost, and marginal costs.

7. Analyze the role of government and the implication of taxes.

8. Analyze consumer and producer surplus including taxes, subsidies, and price ceilings/floors.

9. Describe microeconomic issues and policies in agriculture, income inequality, and healthcare.

Other Information

Any information placed here must be adhered to by all instructors: