Assignments for Microeconomics

last updated: June 1, 1998

9. Product Differentiation. In Class: Friday May 29

8. Market Structure article. (due Wednesday June 3) Find an article illustrating monopoly, oligopoly, or monopolistic competition. Explain how the market structure differs from perfect competition. Use a graph (or game theory matrix) to model behavior in this market structure. Will firms in this market earn a profit? Do barriers to entry allow them to earn profits in the long run?

7. Poster (due Friday May 29) create a small poster (or a website) illustrating any topic from this class. You can use any materials you like. This is not a writing assignment-- think "advertisement" not "essay". There will be small prizes for the best posters. [Examples of past websites for this assignment: monopoly--market structure-- ]

6. Market Structure and Price. In class Friday May 22.

5. Quiz on Costs. In class Wednesday May 6. The quiz will cover 7 short run cost concepts: Variable Cost, Fixed Cost, Total Cost, Average Variable Cost, Average Fixed Cost, Average Total Cost, and Marginal Cost.

4. Supply and Demand article. Due Wednesday April 15. Find an article from a recent news source showing a change in price or quantity. Has there been a change in supply or demand? An increase or decrease? Use a supply and demand graph to analyse this market change. Explain what happens to price and quantity. Turn in a copy of the article. (Some tips: don't use an advertisement, avoid financial markets unless you are very familiar with them, don't use macroeconomc data [eg. inflation rates].)

3. Technological Change. (in-class Monday April 6.)

2. Opportunity Cost Article. Due Wednesday April 8. Find an article that illustrates the concept of opportunity cost. Explain it. Be sure to discuss alternatives. Turn in a copy of the article with your explanation

1. Getting Dressed. In-class March 30. (if you added this class and missed this assignment, please see me.)