University of Economics and Law

Course ID: Instructor: Dr. Van Tran

Class ID : K20* Mondays
Semester : Office hours: tbc @ A805
Language : Vietnamese Teaching assistant:
tbc
Office hours: tbc
Syllabus: Principles of Microeconomics
Course Overview
This course is the equivalent of a 3 credit (or 45 hours) module for an undergraduate degree.
This course provides a throughout introduction to economic theory. Starting from economic
principles, we will study how the market forces of supply and demand cause prices to be what they
are. We will see the sense in which market economies are efficient, and the way governments can
make the economy less or more efficient. We will delve behind the supply curve to see how firms
choose their production levels to maximize profits, culminating in the model of perfect competition.
We will also look at market failures such as imperfect competition (monopoly and oligopoly).
Finally we will explain how consumers response to changes in price and other factors.
Main texts
Mankiw, N.G. (2014) Principles of Microeconomics, 6th ed. Cengage Learning.
Mankiw, N.G. (2014) Kinh tế học vi mô, 6th ed. (Vietnamese) Cengage Learning Vietnam.
References
Begg, D. Fischer, S. Dornbusch, R. (2007). Kinh tế học vi mô, Thống kê.
Gordon, R.J.(2000) Kinh tế học vi mô, NXB KHKT.
Nguyễn Văn Luân (Chủ biên).Kinh tế học vi mô, NXB ĐHQG TP.HCM - 2015
Samuelson, P.A. and Nordhalls (2002). Kinh tế học tập 1, Thống kê.
Grading
Exam Description Weight
Attendance at lecture sessions 20%
1st midterm exam Contribution to lecture sessions 0.1 - 0.2 point/time
(30%) Several (unnoticed) written/oral quick tests additional
Midterm test 1 80%
2nd midterm exam Individual/group presentation 40%
(20%) Midterm test 2 60%
Final exam (50%) Multiple choice/Oral/Written
Note: this grading plan shall be changed subject to the situation during the course
Teaching Philosophy
- This course is best suited to a lecture format, although students are encouraged to ask questions
and participate in discussion. Feel free to stop me and ask whatever you wish to. If you are
prepared for class but something I say is confusing, let me know via any signal. On the other
hand, I will resist slowing down the class for a few people who are unprepared.
- Everyone is supposed to read, answers quizzes, solve problems, and do homework of each
chapter before it is discussed in class. After each class, reread the textbook (sometimes the
textbook will explain a concept better than I did in class); resolve quizzes, problems, and
homework. In studying for tests, use the textbook to "flag" material covered in class that is still
not clear.
- Homework and assignments must be your individual work, and copying the answers of another
student is definitely cheating. On the other hand, you are encouraged to get together in groups to
discuss the course and even how to get started on the homework. If you have any questions
about what is allowed and what is not, talk to me.
- Class attendance is mandatory since most exam questions will come from lecture materials.
Class Rules
- There will be no cellphone or text use during class; computers (and iPhones etc.) are acceptable
if they are used to do research in order to participate in class discussion.
- There will be no prolonged “side discussions” tolerated during class. Anyone who persists in
disrupting the class will be asked to leave the classroom.
- If emergencies arise, it is expected that you will meet with the instructor during office hours or
by appointment via email to work-out a realignment of the grading protocol, including
providing verifiable documentation for emergency-based missed deadlines.
- There will be no realignment of the grading protocol for any student unless it is due to an
unforeseen emergency.
Tentative Course Outline
Week Topic Text
Introduction
1 • What is Economics? Chapter 1 On-ground lecture
1-2 • Ten Principles of Economics
2 • Disciplines of Economics Chapter 2 On-ground lecture
3 • Economic Thinking
• Interdependence and The Gains from Trade Chapter 3 Self-study
How Markets Work
4 • The Market Forces of Supply and Demand Chapter 4 On-ground lecture
5 • Elasticity and its Application Chapter 5 On-ground lecture
6 • Supply, Demand and Economic Policy Chapter 6 On-ground lecture

Markets and Welfare

7 • Consumers, Producers, and the Efficiency of Chapter 7 On-ground lecture
8 Markets
• Application: The Costs of Taxation Chapter 8 Self-study
• Application: International Trade Chapter 9 Self-study

9 Exam 1
Topics for Further Study
10 • The Theory of Consumer Choice Chapter 21 On-ground and on-
14 line lecture
Firm Behavior and the Organization of Industry
11 • The Costs of Production Chapter 13 On-ground lecture
12 • Firms in Competitive Markets Chapter 14 On-ground lecture
13 • Monopoly Chapter 15 On-ground lecture
15 • Monopolistic Competition Chapter 16 On-line lecture
15 • Oligopoly Chapter 17 On-line lecture
Economics of labour market
• Market for production inputs Chapter 18 Self-study

Presentation (1)
You will be assigned a question, which will be the topic for the presentation. You can prepare it in
power point or poster or via the white board, etc.
Submit your word document or power point slides, etc, on the day of the presentation
Presentation time: 4 minutes