Introductory Microeconomics

Introductory Microeconomics

専門教育科目

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国際商経学部

学年指定なし

KCCBG1MCA1

2単位

講義 (Lecture)

2026年度後期

(Fall semester)

權 孝智

国際商経学部

英語

目標4

Monday, 13:00–17:00
Research Building 1, Room A320
If you wish to visit, please schedule an appointment in advance via email. Appointments outside the above time slot may also be arranged through prior email.

kwon@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

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Course Objectives
The primary objective of this course is to provide a rigorous understanding of the micro-foundations of the economy. We focus on the decision-making processes of economic agents (individuals and firms) and their interactions within various institutional frameworks. Students will acquire the fundamental analytical frameworks necessary to understand modern economic issues, moving beyond simple supply and demand to analyze Choice, Strategy, and Contracts.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Rational Choice: Understand the logical structure of decision-making under scarcity using optimization frameworks. 
2. Understand Strategic Interaction: Apply Game Theory to analyze strategic interdependence and social dilemmas. 
3. Evaluate Economic Outcomes: Assess allocations using rigorous criteria of efficiency and fairness. 
4. Analyze Institutions & Contracts: Understand how rules and incomplete contracts shape outcomes in labor and credit markets.

Subtitle
Micro-foundations: Choice, Strategy, and Institutions

Keywords
Constrained Optimization, Game Theory, Strategic Interaction, Institutions, Allocative Efficiency

Course Overview
This course systematically explores the core building blocks of microeconomics. Instead of immediately jumping into abstract market supply and demand curves, we begin with the economic agent. We first model how individuals make rational choices under scarcity. Next, we analyze strategic interactions between individuals using Game Theory. Finally, we examine how these interactions are structured by institutions (the "rules of the game"), specifically exploring power dynamics and contracts in labor and credit markets.

Weekly Schedule
Week 1: Introduction & Unit 1 - Prosperity, inequality, and planetary limits
Week 2: Unit 2 - Technology and incentives
Week 3: Special Session – Mathematical Foundations
Week 4: Unit 3 - Doing the best you can: Scarcity, wellbeing, and working hours (1)
Week 5: Unit 3 - Doing the best you can: Scarcity, wellbeing, and working hours (2)
Week 6: Unit 4 - Strategic interactions and social dilemmas (1)
Week 7: Unit 4 - Strategic interactions and social dilemmas (2)
Week 8: Midterm Examination
Week 9: Unit 5 - The rules of the game: Who gets what and why (1)
Week 10: Unit 5 - The rules of the game: Who gets what and why (2)
Week 11: Unit 6 - The firm and its employees
Week 12: Unit 9 - Lenders and borrowers and differences in wealth (1)
Week 13: Unit 9 - Lenders and borrowers and differences in wealth (2)
Week 14: Unit 10 - Market successes and failures: The societal effects of private decisions (Selected part only)
Week 15: Course Review & Synthesis - Connecting "Agent Behavior" to "Market Systems."
Final Examination

対面

• In-person classes only
• Not subject to the cap on distance-education credits

利用する場面を限定し許可

When using generative AI, please pay attention to the contents described in “Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Education at the University of Hyogo (For Students)”.
In this course, the use of generative AI is permitted only for self-study.
However, over-reliance is strongly discouraged, as it may hinder the development of the independent thinking skills required for the actual exams.

Paul Krugman and Robin Wells, 2015, Economics(4th edition), Worth
Gregory Mankiw, Principles of Economics, Cengage Learning

【Preview】Students are encouraged to read in advance each section of the textbook (90 minutes).
【Review】Students are encouraged to review the lecture notes and solve the problem sets or review questions (150 minutes).

During the lecture, students will engage in online quizzes related to the lecture topics using Google Forms. These activities are designed to reinforce key concepts and encourage active participation in the learning process.

Grading Criteria
Students who can comprehend and apply basic concepts in microeconomics will be awarded credits based solely on their scores, with grades of S (90 points or higher), A (80 points or higher), B (70 points or higher), and C (60 points or higher).

Grading Methods
The evaluation will be determined by a midterm exam (30%), a final exam (30%), and online quizzes and decision-making exercises given in every lecture (40%).

via UNIPA