Fall
2019/2020
Location
MAC-CORRY A516
Instructor
Course Related Pages
ECON 811
Economics 811 Advanced Microeconomic Theory I
Instructor: Ruqu Wang
Dunning Hall, Room 304
613-533-2272
Office Hours: 10:00 - 11:30am, Thursdays
Teaching Assistant: Steven Whitlow, Dunning 321, 613-533-6000 ext. (e-mail: whitlows@econ.queensu.ca)
TA Office Hours: 1:00-2:30, Mondays
Link to ECON 811 Announcements (updated Dec. 3, 2019)
Course Description:
In this course, we study the fundamental theory in Microeconomics. The first half of this course focuses on the concepts and techniques in individual decision making. The second half is devoted to game theory and its applications in economic theory.
Our focus is on the theoretical aspects of each topic. Therefore, rigorous mathematics will be used extensively. The lectures follow Microeconomic Theory by Mas-Colell, Whinston, and Green, as well as some recent papers in microeconomic theory. Not all materials in the selected chapters will be covered in the class, and only those materials discussed in the class will be covered by the exams.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the basic microeconomic theory which is widely used in other economics courses. Homework will be assigned regularly. Working independently on the homework is strongly recommended, as this is the only effective way to prepare you for the exams. On the other hand, study groups discussing course materials (excluding the homework assignments) are encouraged.
This course is for Ph.D students.
Grading:
class participation -- 10%
homework -- 20%
midterm exam -- 30%
final exam -- 40%
Midterm Exam: Thursday, October 17, 2019, in class, closed book, closed notebook
Required Textbook:
Microeconomic Theory, by Andreu Mas-Colell, Michael D. Whinston, and Jerry R. Green, Oxford University Press, 1995.
Teaching Plan:
Part I. Individual Decision Making
Chapter 1. Preference and Choice
Chapter 2. Consumer Choice
Chapter 3. Classical Demand Theory
Chapter 5. Production
Chapter 6. Choice under Uncertainty
Part II. Game Theory
Chapter 7. Basic Elements of Noncooperative Games
Chapter 8. Simultaneous-Move Games
Chapter 9. Dynamic Games
Part III. Market Equilibrium and Market Failure
Chapter 12. Market Power
Chapter 13. Adverse Selection, Signaling, and Screening (if time allows)
Please note: The material on this website is copyrighted and is for the sole use of students registered in this course. The material on this website may be downloaded for a registered student’s personal use, but shall not be distributed or disseminated to anyone other than students registered in this course. Failure to abide by these conditions is a breach of copyright, and may also constitute a breach of academic integrity under the University Senate’s Academic Integrity Policy Statement.
ECON 811 Announcements
Announcements for 811, Fall 2019
1. Effective immediately, we will have our Tuesday classes in Inner Reading Room, 3rd Floor Library (near the elevator), Dunning Hall.
2.
3. Assignments:
- Assignment #1: 1.C.2: 2.D.2; 2.E.5, due in class on Thursday, Sept.26, 2019
- Assignment #2: 3.B.3; 3.C.6; 3.D.6(a)(b), due in class on Thursday, Oct.3, 2019
- Assignment #3: 3.E.5; 3.G.8; 3.G.15; 5.C.9; 5.C.10; 5.C.13, due in class on Tuesday, Oct.15, 2019
- Assignment #4: #4 in Midterm 2007, #5 in Midterm 2009, due in class on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019
- Assignment #5: Click Here, due in class on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019
- Assignment #6: #2 in Final-2018, #2 in Final-2009, #3 in Final-2008, due in class on Tuesday, Nov.26, 2019
4. Past Midterm Exams
5. Midterm Tutorial: Wednesday, Oct.16, 10:30-1:30, JDI Conference Room (DUN 229).
6. Solution to Midterm 2018 is now uploaded. Good luck!
7. Please see above for Assignment #4.
8. Makeup class: Friday, Nov. 8, 11:30-1:00, MC A516
9. Tutorial for Final Exam: Monday, Dec. 2, 10:00-1:00, MC A516
10. Additional office hours at DUN 304:
Monday, Dec. 2, 1:00-3:00
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 12:00-3:00
11. See Assignment #5 above.
12. Past Final Exams
2005 (all questions) 2005 Answer
2006 (#1, #2, #4, #5) 2006 Answer
2007 (#2, #5) 2007 Answer
2008 (#2, #3, #4, #5) 2008 Answer
2009 (#2, #4, #5) 2009 Answer
2018 (all questions) 2018 Answer