POLITICAL ECONOMY

Module ELEMENTS OF MICROECONOMICS

The course aims to introduce students to an intermediate knowledge of the methods of economic analysis of the functioning of markets and of the main economic theories aimed at explaining consumer behavior who, respecting the constraints given by the prices of goods and services, and from his income, he intends to maximize his well-being.

The "Elements of Microeconomics" module is part of the Political Economy course (12 CFU). The knowledge acquired in this first part will be preparatory to understanding the contents of the second module to complete the entire course "Elements of Macroeconomics"

EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS

Knowledge and understanding: the student is able to understand both the theories and microeconomic phenomena relating to the functioning of markets and the lines that can inspire economic policy actions. Further attention is paid to the analysis of competitive contexts and to the regulation of the sectors of economic activity for which there are forms of limitation to competition.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student will be in possession of the methodological tools that will allow him to apply the basic economic knowledge acquired during the courses in the working contexts in which he will work. Furthermore, the presence of in-depth materials and case studies made available by the teacher and the organization of working groups will give the possibility to create a permanent interaction between class and teacher.

Autonomy of judgment: the student acquires methodological tools useful for the analysis and interpretation of microeconomic phenomena, also at the international level, and is able to critically evaluate the institutional context.

Communication skills: the student develops and strengthens the communication skills, processing and synthesis of data relating to the problems under study, also through the acquisition of specific economic terminology.

Learning skills: the student will be introduced to a higher level study modality, which will allow him to break down problems in their complexity and to manage their solutions in specific applications.

1) Economic science and economics

2) The tools of economic analysis

3) Demand, supply and the market

4) The elasticity of supply and demand

5) The theory of consumer choice and demand

6) Information, behavioral and digital economics

7) Technology, costs, profit maximization

8) Perfect competition and monopoly

  9) Imperfect competition

10) The oligopoly

11) The resource market, the labor market

12) Introduction to the normative or welfare economy

13) Competition policy

14) The economy of the public sector