Microeconomics

The main goal of the course is to provide students with the basic elements of microeconomic theory, in order to build the analytical background that is necessary for any other course in economics. Toward this goal the course will first analyze the fundamental determinants of the behavior of two types of economic agents: consumers (consumption choices) and firms (production choices). Then, the interactions among agents will be studied in the context of different market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly) and some cases of market failures and public intervention will be discussed.

At the end of the course students will be at ease with the basic tools that are necessary to analyze the individual choices of consumption and production, as well as the functioning of the main market forms. Through a series of examples and exercise classes, students will be able to move from microeconomic theories to their practical application to case studies. This process will allow them to apply the tools acquired also in other disciplines, such as law or political science.