MGEC41
Industrial Organization
Winter 2025
Course Description:
This class covers the economics of the firm in a market environment. We will study firm behavior. and market performance as influenced by market concentration, consumer behavior, strategic decisions by rivals, and government policies. The course uses differential calculus extensively.
Organization of the Course:
This is an in-person course.
Suggested Course Materials:
Modern Industrial Organization, by Carlton and Perloff, 4th Edition, Pearson/Addison-Wesley.
Lecture Notes and Other Announcements:
I primarily use slides with annotations during lectures, and you are expected to take notes. Slides along with other course materials will be posted on Quercus.
Overall Evaluation and Grading:
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Component
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Weight/Value
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Due Date
|
|
Homework Assignments (4)
|
40%
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See schedule
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|
Thesis Approval for Final Project
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5%
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Feb 28th
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|
Case Presentation (Groups of 3)
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20%
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Mar 28, April 4
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|
Final Project
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35%
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April 7
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Homework Assignments: There are 4 homework assignments to be completed. You can work as groups, but each student must turn in their assignments individually.
Case Presentations: The class will be divided into groups of 3 students. You will pick a real event related to this course: merger, anti-trust policies, monopolies, price discrimination, market entry etc. and use research papers, newspaper articles, podcasts etc. to explain the IO theory/model that is related to your event. Each group will be assigned 10 minutes—6 for presentation and 4 for Q/A. The grading rubric for case presentations will be available on Quercus. All students within the group must present. Presentations will take place in the last two classes (class 11 and 12).
Thesis Approval: Provide a 1-2 sentence thesis statement for the question you would like to study in your final project.
Final Projects: In a 3-page paper, put forward a proposal for a paper on a question related to an IO topic studied in class. Describe the question you would ask and why. Explain which model/theorywould you use and how to study the IO phenomenon? Explain what type of data would be needed to complete this project. Try to find sources for the data you have described. You do not need to provide results but highlight what your hypothesis would be and explain what methods you would need to get there. Use APA format for citations.
Policy on Missed Assignments/Examinations:
If severe illness from Covid or other emergency reasons preclude you from turning in your work on time, please reach out to me as soon as possible.
Homework Assignments, Thesis Approval and Final Projects: If you are late in turning in your work by 24 hours, you lose 15% of your grade. If you are late in turning in your work by 48 hours, you lose 30% of your grade. If you turn in your assignment after 48 hours from due date and time, you get 0 for that assignment. If severe illness from Covid or other emergency reasons preclude you from turning in your assignments in time, please reach out to me with your reason and I can give you an extension.
Case Presentations: If severe illness from Covid or other emergency reasons preclude you from participating in presentations with your group, you can email me a recording for your part of the presentation.