Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
15400:IR18‐EE223 Microeconomics (RB) § 15401:RUIR-2212 Microeconomics(RB) 2023 Fall Mon2 College　Of　International　Relations YANE HARUKA 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

MEIGAKUKAN　MG003

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

In this introductory course we will study the causes and consequences of human decision making, market behavior and implementations of public policies. Using basic microeconomic models, students will learn to evaluate microeconomic issues, including current events. This course aims to develop students' ability to understand how markets work as well as their everyday decision making.

Student Attainment Objectives

On successful completion of this course, students should attain:
1. The ability to apply microeconomic theories to real-world issues
2. The ability to determine market equilibrium and welfare
3. The ability to evaluate the effectiveness of policy programs using economic techniques
4. Better understanding of human decision making

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Introduction, Course Overview

Aims and structure of this course, Principles of Economics

2

Essence of Economics

Incentives, Cost-benefit principle, Opportunity costs, Sunk costs, Decision making

3

Supply and Demand

Demand curve, Demand function, Supply curve, Supply function, Invisible hand, Substitutes, Complements

4

Consumer and Producer Surplus

Consumer surplus, Producer surplus, Gains from trade

5

Price Controls and Quotas

Price floor, Price ceiling, Market equilibrium, Supply-and-Demand model, Efficiency, Equity

6

Price Elasticity and Its Application

Elasticity of demand, Elasticity of supply

7

Taxes

Trade-off, Efficiency, Equity, Dead weight loss, Role of the government

8

International Trade

Gains from trade, Comparative advantage

9

Regulations

Policy effects on the Supply-and-Demand model

10

Decision Making by Individuals and Firms

Economic profit, Explicit costs, Implicit costs, Utility function, Marginal analysis

11

The Rational Consumer

Indifference curves, Budget constraint, Income effect, Substitution effect

12

Behind the Supply Curve: Inputs and Costs

Production function, Diminishing returns, Variable cost, Fixed cost, Average total cost, Marginal cost

13

Perfect Competition and the Supply Curve

Perfectly competitive market, Break-even price, Zero-profit condition, Shut-down price

14

Concluding Session

Q&A session

15

Final Examination

Final Examination

Class Format

BCP停止の場合は、BCPレベル0～2の記載どおりに授業が行われます。
During the suspension period of BCP, classes will be as described in BCP levels 0-2.

The class Format for each class will be announced on manaba+R’s course news. Also, the class format for the first class will be notified on manaba+R’s course news before the first class(*).
For “Special Consideration”, please check manaba+R’s College of IR Student Page and the “Study Support Site”.

College of IR Student Page：https://ct.ritsumei.ac.jp/ct/course_1728150
Study Support Site：https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/pathways-future/eng/

(*)To check the class format for the first class of the course, you will need to apply for the “early use request function.” Refer to the Registration Guidebook AY 2023 for details. Please be careful that applying for the early use request does not sign you up for the course. You will need to register for courses during the designated period separately.

Recommendations for Private Study

It is highly recommended to solve the Problem Sets and exercises provided in class and review them in order to understand the theories and their applications.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Final exam (50%)
Problem sets (50%)

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Principles of Economics N. Gregory Mankiw Cengage Learning The content of this course will be based on this textbook.

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Microeconomics Paul Krugman, Robin Wells Macmillan Education

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

CONTACT: yanehclass@gmail.com

Please make sure to include “MICROECONOMICS” in the subject.


【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/