Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
This is a graduate-level course on applied microeconomics. The ultimate learning objective of this course is to improve students’ analytical skills and critical thinking in topics that relate to managerial decisions in varying market structures and circumstances that are mostly beyond perfect competition set-up.
This course includes 7 modules. Students first survey advanced topics in supply and demand, including quantitative analysis of demand (Modules 1 and 2). They also learn about production, firms, and industries (Modules 3 and 4). They further survey a wide range of market structures. That includes perfect competition versus monopoly (Module 5). It also includes monopolistic competition (Module 6) and oligopoly (Module 7). If we get a chance, we also look into some pricing strategies for firms that operate in non-competitive markets.
Through these surveys, students learn about some important concepts and terms in microeconomics. They also engage in analytical and numerical problem solving as part of an array of in-class exercises, assignments, and exams.
Course Prerequisites
Graduate standing and departmental permission.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Primary textbook: Managerial Economics and Business Strategy (10th Ed.) by Michael R. Baye and Jeffrey T. Prince. I encourage students to compare the prices for used books, loose-leaf options, and e-books. They can compare prices using the university bookstore, the publisher’s website (McGraw Hill), and other online vendors. All they need is access to the textbook, so they can attend to the required readings. No other access is needed.
- Publisher’s website: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/1260940543.html
Secondary textbooks: Principles of Microeconomics (2nd Ed.) by Steven A. Greenlaw and David Shapiro and Intermediate Microeconomics by Patrick M. Emerson. Both of these books are freely available. The former is an introductory book that could be used for a review of key concepts discussed in this course. The latter is an advanced book that could complement the primary textbook:
- Greenlaw and Shapiro’s textbook can be downloaded from: https://openstax.org/details/books/principles-microeconomics-2e
- Emerson’s textbook can be downloaded from: https://open.oregonstate.education/intermediatemicroeconomics/
Software
MS Excel and MS Word (Office 365)
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
|
Exams |
Your midterm and final exams include analytical and numerical questions. Your exams are take-home and open-resource. They will be posted on Canvas, and they will also be submitted on Canvas. |
60% |
|
Assignments |
You will be asked to submit a few assignments. To assess your performance, the average of your grades for all the assignments will be taken into account. The assignments will be posted on Canvas, and they will also be submitted on Canvas. |
25% |
|
In-class Activities |
There are a number of in-class activities that contribute to 15% of your final grade. Like exams and assignments, these activities will also be posted and submitted on Canvas. As their name suggests, they will mostly be done in class, during live sessions. Yet, students have a week to revise and resubmit their work should they desire. |
15% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
The sum of your exams, assignments, and in-class activities grades will determine your final letter grade on a scale where 90 or above is an A and less than 60 is an F. Tests won’t be curved, needs-based appeals won’t be entertained, and grades will be determined in strict accordance with the above policy. Even if you end up with, say, 89.99999, you earn a grade of B.
Course Components
Required Readings
The primary textbook introduces:
- The underlying concepts of interest
- An array of analytical and numerical examples
- Useful problem-sets
Selected readings will be assigned from the textbook. They should all be done during a given module.
Live Sessions
We meet once a week online. During that meeting, the most important concepts within each module will be discussed using, typically, a number of examples. Students also partake in in-class activities as part of the live sessions. Thought those activities begin during the live session, students have a week to revise and resubmit their answer should they desire. At the end, the recorded live session will also be shared with students.
In-class Activities
These activities are designed as in-class learning tools. They are based on required readings and the concepts that are discussed in class. They include analytical and numerical questions. And they are usually discussed in class.
Assignments
In the assignments, students put what they learn in their readings, lectures, and in-class activities into practice. The assignments include analytical and numerical questions. The latter group is typically done using MS Excel. Assignments should be typed and organized using MS Word. They must be submitted in PDF format, however.
Exams
The midterm and final exams include analytical and numerical questions. In terms of their structure, they are quite similar to assignments and in-class activities.
Course Policies
Communication
To communicate with me outside of class, students may use my email (tabrizy@ou.edu) using their OU email address. I will get back to them in less than 36 hours.
Late Policy
No assignments, in-class activities, or exams could be submitted later than their due dates unless, of course, there are well-documented justifications (e.g., health reasons) in which case late work will be accepted and full credit will be given. In exceptional circumstances, when students are allowed to turn in late or revised work, they only receive 67% of the credit.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Diversity Statement
The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person's unique contributions, background and perspective. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage.
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual based on the individual’s race, color, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age (40 or older), sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. For more information, please contact the Institutional Equity Office.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Title IX Office at 405-325-2215 (8–5, M–F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or their authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user's access to some or all of the university's computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|