Microeconomic Analysis and Policy is a course in modern microeconomic theory at a Graduate Diploma level. It is designed for the dual purposes of giving students a solid grasp of the basic microeconomic theory and a sound understanding of its potential applications in important policy areas such as education, environment and price regulation. It addresses the broad methodological topics of consumption theory, production theory, theories of the competitive market, non-competitive markets, game theory and general equilibrium theory.

On satisfying the requirements for this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to set-up and analyse microeconomic problems. Students will also be equipped with basic understanding of the important role that Microeconomics plays in formulating and analyzing important policies.

Problem solving is an integral part of the learning process in economics. Tutorial sheets will be distributed on a regular basis and solutions will be discussed in the tutorial classes. Students should attempt the questions before attending the tutorial.

The proposed forms of assessment are two quizzes (10%), a mid-semester examination (30%) and a final examination (60%). All are closed-book examinations.

The general grade divisions and descriptors are available in your Working Rules (distributed at enrolment time) and on the Crawford Main Wattle site.

3.5 contact hours per week, including 2.5 lecture hours and a one-hour tutorial.  Students are expected to study 6-7 hours a week outside of contact hours to complete the course.

Knowledge in calculus and optimization will be helpful

Nicholson, W. and C. Snyder (2008). Microeconomic Theory: Basic Principles and Extensions, 10^th edition, Cengage Learning.

Varian, H.R. (2010). Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach, 8^th edition, New York, Norton.

Perloff, J. M. (2007). Microeconomics Theory and Applications with Calculus, International Edition, Pearson.

Hoy, M., J. Livernois, C. McKenna, R. Rees and T. Stengos (2001). Mathematics for Economics, 2^nd edition, MIT Press.

Delivery Mode:

The course will be delivered on campus with material posted in the on-line.

Referencing requirements

Students are required to reference all words/ideas and opinions of others, using the Crawford Style Guide (a Harvard in-text referencing style).  This can be found in The Crawford Referencing and Formatting Guide available in hard copy from Academic Skills Advisors and online at the Crawford Main Wattle site.

Help with referencing is available from the Academic Skills Advisors.

Policy on extensions and late submissions.

Extensions can only be given by the subject lecturer. Presentation of a certificate from a medical practitioner or from the ANU Counselling Centre is required. Part-time students requesting extensions due to pressure of work need to provide email and phone contact details for their work supervisor. Requests for extensions must be made before the due date of submission. Late submission, without approved extension, will incur a penalty of 5% a day.

Student responsibility

a. Student feedback on and formal evaluation of subject

All courses will be evaluated by the University's Centre for Educational Development and Academic Method (CEDAM).

b. Enrolment.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in each subject and that the subjects are correct for their course of study. Students should confirm their subject enrolment details online.

c. Attendance

Regular attendance at lectures, seminars and tutorials is expected.

d. Email

All information updates from the program and the School, and most University communication is made through email using the ANU student email address, which is mailto:number@anu.edu.au           (eg u1234567@anu.edu.au). If you wish to forward your ANU email to another address please go to https://anumail.anu.edu.au/uwc/auth.  Then go to Options, Settings and use the Mail Forwarding box at the bottom of this page.

Announcements made through email are deemed to be made to the whole class.

Academic Honesty

The following is an extract from the ANU's Code of Practice for Student Academic Honesty, which can be found at http://info.anu.edu.au/Policies/_DVC/Policies/Code_Practice_Student_Academic_Honesty.asp

Students should all make themselves aware of the Code.

Any work by a student of the Australian National University must be work:

• that is original
• that is produced for the purposes of a particular assessment task
• that gives appropriate acknowledgement of the ideas, scholarship and intellectual property of others insofar as these have been used.

It is the responsibility of each individual student to ensure that:

• they are familiar with the expectations for academic honesty both in general, and in the specific context of particular disciplines or courses
• work submitted for assessment is genuine and original
• appropriate acknowledgement and citation is given to the work of others
• they declare their understanding of and compliance with the principles of academic honesty on appropriate proformas and cover sheets as required by the academic area, or by a statement prefacing or attached to a thesis
• they do not knowingly assist other students in academically dishonest practice.

All breaches, careless or deliberate, are addressed. Careless breaches are addressed  through academic penalties, such as deduction of marks and resubmission. Deliberate breaches are subject to action under the Discipline Rules of the ANU (http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/rules/discipline.html).

Penalties for a deliberate breach may include failing the piece of work involved, failing the course, or having candidature terminated.

Students are reminded that Academic Skills Advisors are available to help with learning the conventions of appropriate academic acknowledgement, and for understanding the use of Turnitin.

Authority of this subject outline

The information given in this course outline is not normally subject to change. However, if there is a need for any change to the information in this document, it will be made by the Subject Lecturer only if the agreement of staff and a majority of students has been obtained; and if written advice of the change is then forwarded to each student at their student email address.