Carleton
University
ECON 4900, Microeconomic Seminar, Fall 2002
Course: Honours
seminar in economics (micro half)
Instructor: Keith
Acheson, E-mail keith_acheson@carleton.ca Office
A804 of Loeb Bldg
Office hours: Wednesday 10am – 1pm; contact me by email to make
appointments at other times. Carleton University.
Note: The second (macro) half of the 490 course is
given in the winter 2002 term. Each of the micro and macro halves of 490 is
worth fifty percent of the final mark for the full year course. The information
that follows refers only to the micro half given in the fall term. Iinformation
about the macro half will be distributed in the winter term.
The micro half of the Honours Seminar mainly addresses interactions
among economic agents whose decisions are known to affect each other and who
may make decisions under different informational settings over time. This
analysis enhances our understanding of non-price taking markets, contracting, organizational
structure, institutions, laws, mores and economic policy.
Basis of class assessment
Tests: There will be two tests, one of two hours held on Oct. 9, 2002
(worth 35%) and one of two hours held on Nov. 27, 2002 (worth 40%). The tests
will be held in that day’s class and will mostly consist of problems.
Assignment 1: Each student will prepare a
report on an article chosen from a list that will be distributed in the class
of Sep. 18, 2002. Each student will notify the instructor of his or her choice.
There is an advantage in choosing early as a student may not choose an article
that has already been chosen by another student. The target length of a report
is 1250 words and the maximum length for a report is 1500 words. The report is
worth 25% of the final mark. The report is due by Nov. 6, 2002. Late reports
policy: One full grade if submitted in the week following the deadline. A
report will not be accepted after one week past the deadline. Please be aware that plagiarism is a serious
offense and one which should be recognized and avoided. For further information regarding this
subject, please see the Economics website or pick up a handout from the
Department.
Note: Students with disabilities requiring academic accommodations in
this course are encouraged to contact a coordinator at the Paul Menton Centre
for Students with Disabilities to complete the necessary letters of accommodation. After registering with the PMC, make an
appointment to meet and discuss your needs with me at least two weeks prior to
the each of the class tests. This is necessary in order to ensure sufficient
time to make the necessary arrangements. Please note the following deadlines
for submitting completed forms to the Paul Menton Centre: November 1st
for fall and fall/winter term courses, and March 7th for winter term
courses.
Note: Students must fulfill the course requirements
in order to achieve a passing grade. Failure to complete any of the course
assignments will result in a grade of F in the micro half of this course. For
general information on meeting course requirements, see the
2002/2003 regulations on line.
Course outline:
The general topics with the readings from the text are listed below.
Adjustments in what we cover may occur as we proceed. Class lectures and
discussions will give guidance as to the relative importance of different
subjects. The classes will combine lectures and discussions of problems.
The text is Joel Watson, Strategy: An introduction to Game Theory,
Norton, 2002.
I. Game theory