Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
The course attempts to introduce the microeconomics theory, including the behaviour of consumers and businesses as well as their choices in the field of production, consumption, and pricing. The students should be able to interpret the decision-making at the individual level, including consumers and businesses. They will use techniques and analysis tools that enable them to understand the mechanisms of functioning of markets for goods and services in an environment of perfect and imperfect competition.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to the study of economics 2. Competitive Market Model 3. Elasticity 4. Producer theory 5. Consumer theory 6. Cost to society 7. Perfect Competition Market 8. Monopoly market
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The syllabus focuses on the main concepts of microeconomics. Several economic concepts are presented, such as, opportunity cost, demand, supply, market, consumer and companies behaviour taking into account the market structures differences.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
The course will primarily consist in the study of concepts and microeconomics instruments of analysis in each chapter, accompanied of practical exercises, as well as the accomplishment of individual and group practical work delivers to the professor. This unit requires an intense participation of the students in resolution of practical exercises. That allows an interactive and applicative learning, as will be expected. The assessment will consist in a set of two: 1st written test (30%) and 2sd (30%).
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
The various teaching methodologies that are used seek to develop students' abilities to critically analyze issues and articulate a reasoned position on these issues; analyze and solve problems; participate in active learning and teamwork.
The presentation by a lecturer. There follows a plenary discussion of topics related to the subject under consideration and practical exercises. The professor answers questions and draws particular attention to the practical implications of teaching topics.
An interactive methodology influences positively the learning processes and development of skills.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Frank, R., Microeconomia e Comportamento, McGraw-Hill Portugal, 3ª edição 1998;
Krugman, P. and Wells, R., Microeconomics, New York: Worth Publishers, 2005;
Mateus, A. e Mateus, M., Microeconomia ¿ Teoria e Aplicações, Editora Verbo, 2 vol, 2001;
Mateus, A. e Mateus, M., Microeconomia ¿ Exercícios e Estudos de Casos, Editora Verbo, 2 vol, 2002;
Samuelson, P. e Nordhaus, W., Economia, Editora Mc Graw Hill, 18ª edição, 1999;
Varian, Hall, Intermediate Microeconomics: a Modern Approach, Norton, New York, 7ª edição, 2003;
Varian, Hal R., Microeconomia Intermédia-Uma Abordagem Moderna, Verlag Dashoffer, 8ª edição, 2010.
