Friday, February 3, 2017

202 The Microeconomics curriculum

Micro-economics

1.       Introduction to Micro-economics


Learning Outcomes:

q  Distinguish between macroeconomics and microeconomics
q  Explain the economic problem of scarcity
q  Understand the concept of opportunity cost
q  Explain the economic problem using a production possibility frontier

2.       A closer look at the economic problem of scarcity


Learning Outcomes:

           Illustrate using a production possibility curve, how a better production technique, or    
            increased resources affects.
           Understand the three central economic questions

3.       Circular Flow of income and spending


q  Understand the major role players in the economy
q  Describe the flow of income using the circular flow model

4.       Demand and Supply


Learning Outcomes:

q Graphically illustrate how the changes in either demand or supply or simultaneous changes in demand and supply will affect the equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity in the market
q Graphically illustrate the interaction between related markets
q Show what happens if the government intervenes in the price mechanism by setting maximum and minimum prices


4. Demand, Supply and prices


Learning Outcomes:

q  Draw and read simple demand and supply graphs
q  Explain the difference between change in demand or supplied and change in quantity demanded or supplied
q  Distinguish between movement and shifts along a demand and supply curve
q  Identify the determinants of individual demand and supply and market demand and supply

5.       Supply and demand in action


Learning Outcomes:

q Graphically illustrate how the changes in either demand or supply or simultaneous changes in demand and supply will affect the equilibrium price and equilibrium quantity in the market
q Graphically illustrate the interaction between related markets
q Show what happens if the government intervenes in the price mechanism by setting maximum and minimum prices

6.       Elasticity


Learning Outcomes:

q  Define the concept of elasticity
q  Explain the meaning of specific elasticity (say ep=1.5)
q  Understand the link between price elasticity and total revenue from sales
q  Explain the determinants of price elasticity of demand
q  Define and explain the concept of income elasticity of demand

7.       Theory of production and cost


Learning Outcomes:

q  Understand the different types of firms and the goals of the firm
q  Distinguish between short run and long run
q  Distinguish between fixed and variable inputs
q  Explain the law of diminishing returns
q  Draw the total average and marginal product cost curves
q  Explain the relationship between production and cost in the short run


8.       Perfect competition


Learning Outcomes:

q  Define perfect competition
q  Understand the conditions necessary for perfect competition to exist
q  Explain the demand curve of a firm operating under perfect market conditions
q  Determine the short run equilibrium of a firm under perfect competition
q  Understand why profits are only maximized along the rising part of the marginal cost curve
q  Distinguish and graphically illustrate whether a firm is making an economic profit, normal profit or an economic loss
q  Explain the supply curve of the firm and market supply curve
q  Understand the long run equilibrium position of  the firm under perfect competition


9.       Imperfect competition


Learning Outcomes:

q  Understand the differences and similarities between the different market structures
q  Explain the equilibrium position of each market under imperfect competition i.e. monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly
q  Compare the above to a firm under perfect competition






Glossary

want – a need backed by the willingness to sacrifice resources to satisfy it (NCS, 2004)                      

Bibliography

National Curriculum Statement (2004) Department of Education.

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