ECN501 - Introduction to Principles of Economics - Micro

Subject Title
Introduction to Principles of Economics - Micro

Subject Description
This subject introduces the process and principles of microeconomic thought as they have been developed to explain price determination and resource allocation in a mixed market system. The application of microeconomic theory to current and emerging social and economic problems will be considered.

Credit Status
Accounting and Finance Program - Economics 501 (together with Economics 502) is a required subject for the Accounting and Finance Program. For those students transferring from the Accounting and Finance Program to another program, they may only use one of either ECN501 or ECN502 as a credit towards their general education requirements.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate comprehension of the nature of economics as it pertains to scarcity, choice and efficiency, and the scientific methodology of the theories and models developed for the sound understanding of economic principles.
2. Analyze the production possibilities model with reference to opportunity cost, optimal allocation, and economic growth.
3. Recognize the operation of the market economy, its expression in the circular flow model and the response to fundamental economic questions, as opposed to the command economy.
4. Analyze the operation of a competitive market in terms of demand, supply, market equilibrium, the rationing function of prices, and the predictive impact of changes in various determinants of demand and supply.
5. Calculate the benefit-surpluses received by producers and consumers, and the relation of these surpluses to allocative and productive efficiencies as they pertain to markets.
6. Evaluate the role of government intervention in failed markets and the support of their efficient operation.
7. Apply concepts of price elasticity of demand, price elasticity of supply, income elasticity, and cross elasticity in pricing strategies, taxation, and other real world situations of market activity.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of decision time-frames of firms, the short-run production relationships and the impact of the law of diminishing returns.
9. Evaluate the operation of firms in relation to economic costs in the short run, as opposed to the long run.
10. Explain using a marginal analysis as well as total-cost and total-revenue, the profit-maximizing, loss-minimizing, and close-down short-run positions of the perfectly competitive firm, and the derivation of the supply curve of the competitive market.
11. Analyze long-run equilibrium in perfect competition in constant-cost, increasing-cost and decreasing-cost industries.
12. Interpret the output and price determination of monopoly, including policy options for maximizing efficiency through average-cost and marginal-cost pricing solutions for government-regulated monopolies.
13. Describe traditional oligopoly models and collusive pricing strategies.
14. Evaluate the perfectly competitive, monopolistic, and oligopolistic market structures with respect to productive efficiency, allocative efficiency and deadweight loss.
15. Interpret the concepts of derived demand, resource supply, and pricing determination with applications to market for labour and capital inputs.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.