cd ..

:~/Econ 8100


This is the course website for Vanderbilt Economics 8100. This is the first course of the PhD microeconomics core sequence. The course will cover the fundamentals of consumer theory, theory of the firm, and simple markets in partial equilibrium. This page will be continuously updated throughout the semester. Please check it on a regular basis.

Notes

These notes are a work in progress. I will try to keep them updated as we move through the class. Notes (Updated: 11/4/2022)

Textbook

Main textbook: Advanced Microeconomic Theory, Geoffrey Jehle and Philip Reny.

Secondary textbook: Microeconomic Theory, Andreu Mas-Colell, Michael D. Whinston, Jerry R. Green.

Problem Sets

There will be an assignment roughly each week. Problems will be added to the schedule about two weeks before the assignment is due. You must type your homework. This is the perfect time for you to learn to type in LaTeX. There are many online resources for learning LaTeX. One particularly easy way to get started with LaTeX is through the very user-friendly editor called Lyx. There will be a learning curve at first. Embrace it. This is an investment.

Class

9:35-10:50 in Calhoun 413B.

Exams and Grading  

There will be one midterms and a final exam. They are tentatively placed in the schedule below. Grading will be based 30% on midterm exam, 50% on the final exam, and 20% on homework.

Office Hours / Teaching Assistant

My office hours: Thursday 11-12pm in Calhoun 404. TA: Steve Hamilton. Steve's Office Hours: Friday from 12:00-2:00 PM in Calhoun 209.

Assignments

Exercises from Chapter 2 of Notes Source. Due 9/7/22.

Exercises from Chapter 4 of Notes. Due 9/22/22.

Exercises from Chapter 5 of Notes. Due 10/04/22.

Exercises from Chapter 6 of Notes. Due 10/11/22.

Solution

Exercises from Chapter 7 of Notes. Not Due.

Exercises from Chapter 8 of Notes. Due 11/03/22.

Exercises from Chapter 9,10 of Notes. Due 11/17/22.

Important Dates

Oct 14: Fall Break-- No Class

Oct 20: Midterm Exam

Covers Chapter 1 of J&R and Chapters 1-7 of Class Notes

December 13 (9am-11am): Final Exam

Other Resources

Workout Problems for Practice

Lecture Notes on Separable Preferences Ted Bergstrom

Old Exams

Midterm 1- 2019

Midterm 2- 2019

Midterm 2- 2019 (Solutions)

Final Exam- 2019

Final Exam- 2019 (Solutions)

Midterm- 2020

Midterm- 2020 (Solutions)

Prelim- 2020

Final Exam- 2020

Final Exam- 2020 (Solutions)

Prelim- 2021

Midterm- 2021

Final Exam- 2021

Final Exam- 2021 (Solutions)

Midterm Exam- 2022

Midterm Exam- 2022 (Solutions)

Helpful Tips

Helpful Tips

I wrote these with my classmate Zach Bethune when I was a student. They have come in handy for me many times. If you find an error, or have a suggestion about something to add, let me know.