Course Description: This course is designed to connect
economic theory to practical issues faced by the managers at real firms. The
focus is on the way economic theory affects the firm's behavior both internally
and externally. Internal issues include organizational structure issues and
contract design, especially as these issues relate to opportunism, rent-seeking
and asymmetric information.
Prerequisites: Economics 160 and 161 (or 300).
Course Materials:
Students are required to buy
Managerial
Economics and Organizational Architecture Fifth edition by Brickley,
Smith, and Zimmerman (McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2009).
Thinking Strategically: The Competitive Edge in Business, Politics, and Everyday Life by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff (published by W.W. Norton & Company, 1991).
Class Web-Site: Students should regularly visit the class
web-site to keep informed on announcements concerning assignments and schedule
changes the URL is:
Grades: The course grade will be determined according
to the formula laid out below. While plus/minus grades will be used for
individual components of the course, no plus/minus grades will be used
when reporting the final grade.
Activity |
% of Course Grade |
Assignments |
10% |
Midterm Exam |
35% |
Final Exam |
55% |
Policy on Academic Dishonesty : University rules
prohibit cheating, fabrication, facilitating the academic dishonesty of
another student, and plagiarism. If you engage in any of these activities
in this class, you will fail this class. A letter will be sent to the appropriate
campus officials requesting disciplinary action.
“Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program
at a campus is listed in Section 41301, Title V, California Code
of Regulations, as an offense for which a student may be expelled,
suspended or given a less severe disciplinary sanction.” (2004-2006CSUN
Catalog, page 530).
In this class, students who submit papers that include even one sentence or
phrase taken from the work of others will receive an F in this class (not
just in the assignment, but the class).