Microeconomic Analysis: Rationality, equality, and sustainability, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Political Science and Economics

Entry requirements

General entry requirements for undergraduate studies
and
Mathematics corresponding to the level of Mathematics in Swedish upper secondary education (Matematik 3b/3c or Matematik C)

Intended learning outcomes

After the course the student should be able to:

• Explain how economic theory can be used in different ways to analyse socially relevant problems in the areas of behavioural economics, equality, and sustainability.
• Explain how microeconomic theory and analysis are affected by information and knowledge asymmetries as well as individuals' limited rationality, different identities, opportunities for strategic behaviour and betrayal.
• Describe current examples of empirical research in the areas of behavioural economics, equality, and sustainability.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently and critically analyse economic issues in the areas of behavioural economics, equality, and sustainability.
• Demonstrate the ability to make societal and ethical assessments when discussing issues in the areas of behavioural economics, equality, and sustainability.
• Demonstrate insight into the role of economic theory as an analytical tool in society, its limitations, and people's responsibility for how it is used.

Course content

The course starts with neoclassical theory with a focus on how the theory can be used in different ways and develops to analyse current societal problems related to people's rationality, equality and sustainability. The course deals with how one can, in microeconomic analysis and empirical research, take into account and investigate the effects of:

• Asymmetric information and knowledge relationships between individuals.
• The limited rationality or irrationality of individuals.
• The identity of individuals.
• Individuals' opportunities for strategic behaviour and betrayal.

The course will study a selection of current applications taken from behavioural economics, economic research on discrimination, and economic research on sustainability.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. In addition to this, the student must conduct self-study.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• Active participation in seminars, grading scale: UG
• Individual written exam, grading scale: UV

At least Pass on all modules is required to pass the full course.  The final grade will be decided by the result of the individual written examination. 

Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department