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Theory of Microeconomics

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:1.00
Study Course Accepted:02.04.2024 15:17:05
Study Course Information
Course Code:SZF_083LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:3.33ECTS:5.00
Branch of Science:Economics; MicroeconomicsTarget Audience:Marketing and Advertising
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Olga Veilande
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)8Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures16
Classes (count)6Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes12
Total Contact Hours28
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)5Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures10
Classes (count)4Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes8
Total Contact Hours18
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Knowledge of basic economics at the secondary school level, mathematics.
Objective:
To provide students with an overview of the theory of microeconomics, linking it to possibilities of practical application of this theory, evaluating alternatives and making sound economic decisions. This approach helps students better understand not only the importance of microeconomic theory but also anticipate the consequences of their own actions and those of other economic agents by critically evaluating the decisions made in different situations of the public economic life.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Micro- and macroeconomics.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Scantiness of resources.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Alternative costs.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Economic systems.Lectures1.00auditorium
5Market system. Market failures and the role of the State in the economy.Lectures1.00auditorium
6Emerging economy.Lectures1.00auditorium
7Demand and supply. Demand and supply flexibility.Lectures2.00auditorium
8Consumer behaviour in the market and ultimate validity.Classes1.00auditorium
9Organisation of production.Classes1.00auditorium
10Earnings and cost of production.Classes1.00auditorium
11Competition and market structure.Classes1.00auditorium
12Company behaviour in the market of perfect and imperfect competition. Market for production resources. Distribution of income.Classes2.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Micro- and macroeconomics.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Scantiness of resources.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Alternative costs.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Economic systems.Lectures1.00auditorium
5Market system. Market failures and the role of the State in the economy.Lectures1.00auditorium
8Consumer behaviour in the market and ultimate validity.Classes1.00auditorium
9Organisation of production.Classes1.00auditorium
10Earnings and cost of production.Classes1.00auditorium
11Competition and market structure.Classes1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Development of summaries, a report. Reports: 1. Examples of positive and normative microeconomics in the economy of Latvia (Estonia, Lithuania). 2. Examples of supply and demand shocks in the economy of Latvia (Estonia, Lithuania). 3. RSU student budget line and benefits. 4. Elasticity of demand in the Latvian market (student’s choice of goods / services). 5. Changes in the Engel curve in Latvia as average earnings change. 6. Advantages of working time and free time in Latvia and impact thereof on labour supply. 7. Production function and types of production resources. 8. Long-term capital problems in Latvia. 9. Productivity assessment of the Latvian economy. 10. Perfect competition opportunities in Latvia. 11. Characterisation of corporate finance in Latvia. 12. Possibilities of surplus consumption in Latvia. 13. Possibilities of producer surplus in Latvia. 14. Examples of price discrimination in Latvia. 15. Monopolies and oligopolies in Latvia. 16. Patents in Latvia. 17. Cartels in Latvia. 18. Possibilities of optimal consumption in Latvia. 19. Possibilities of estimating the net present value of a project in Latvia. 20. Social welfare and poverty in Latvia. 21. Tax policy in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia. 22. Tax reform in Latvia in 2017, elements of its progressiveness. 23. Optimal amount of taxes in Latvia. 24. Examples of behavioural economics in Latvia. 25. Government errors and success in the behavioural economics in Latvia. 26. The health care system: costs and benefits. Public and private funding. 27. Pension system in Latvia: my pension in 2060. 28. Three steps towards inclusive growth in Latvia. 29. Opportunities for changes in Latvian income deciles. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Report – 20%, Summaries – 20%, Activities and tests in seminars – 20%, Exam – 40%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:On study course completion, students are able to list the regularities of the functioning of the market system, identify market failures, define the role of the state in the economy, as well as to find motivation for producer and consumer activities in conditions of competition and scantiness of resources.
Skills:On study course completion, students will be able to explain the regularities of the functioning of the market system, to explore alternatives to the use of limited resources.
Competencies:Students will be able to classify sets, perform economic interpretation of matrices, explain function research algorithm, define concepts of financial mathematics.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Baumol, W. J. and Blinder, A. S. 2011. Economics Principles and Policy. 12th ed. South-Western Cengage Learning
2Bikse, V. 2007. Ekonomikas teorijas pamatprincipi. Rīga: Izglītības soļi
3Gods, U. 2008. Mikroekonomika. Rīga: Turība
4Nešpors, V. 2012. Mikroekonomikas teorijas pamati. Rīga
5Mankiw, N. G. and Taylor, M. P. 2011. Economics. 2nd ed. Cengage Learning EMEA
6OECD, 2019. OECD Economic Surveys: Latvia 2019, OECD Publishing, Paris
7Piketī, T. 2015. Kapitāls 21. gadsimtā. Rīga: Francijas institūts
8Rifkins, Dž. 2004. Jaunās ekonomikas laikmets. Rīga: Jumava
9Škapars, R. 2003. Mikroekonomika. Rīga: LU
10Škapars, R. 2007. Mikroekonomika. Loģiskās shēmas. Rīga: Hansabanka
Additional Reading
1LR Centrālās Statistikas Pārvaldes datu bāzes.
2Begg, D., Fisher, S. and Dornbuch, R. 2008. Economics. 9th ed. McGRAW-HILL BOOK Company.
3Dzelmīte, M. Volodina, M. 2004. Mikroekonomika. Rīga: Izglītības soļi
4Nešpors, V., Ruperte, I., Saulītis, J. 2003. Mikroekonomika. Rīga: Kamene
5Mankiw, N. G. 2008. Principles of economics. 6th ed. The Dryden Press
6McConnell, C., Brue, S. and Flynn, S. 2008. Microeconomics. 18th ed. McGRAW-HILL/Irwin
7Parkin, M., Bade, R. 2008. Microeconomics. 4th ed. Addison-Wesley Publishers Limited
8Perloff, J. 2012. Microeconomics. 6th ed. Pearson.
9Snyder, C. and Nicholson, W. 2012. Microeconomic Theory. Basic principles and Extentions. 11th ed. South-Western, Cengage Learning