International University - VNU-HCMC

Master of Business Administration

MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS

Course Syllabus
Fall 2015

Instructor

Le Van Chon
lvchon@hcmiu.edu.vn

Tutor

Bui Thi Thao Hien

btthien@hcmiu.edu.vn

Units of Credit

Course Description
This course will explore the decision making by firms, how they respond to changes in
the opportunities and constraints that they face and how they interact in markets. We
will begin by reviewing the relevant economic theory and mathematical and statistical
concepts. Then we will learn how these tools are used in firms day-to-day operations
under different market structures, including perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, etc. The theoretical framework and its applications help
ask questions and set up and solve qualitative and quantitative problems that allow
us to think analytically about the real world of business enterprises.

Prerequisites
Students are expected to have completed introductory courses in economics and calculus or equivalent.

Course Materials
Required text: Allen, W.B., Weigelt, K., Doherty, N., and Mansfield, E., Managerial Economics: Theory, Applications, and Cases, W.W.Norton & Company, 7e. (Its
previous editions would also be fine.)

Other useful texts:

Begg, D., Vernasca, G., Fischer, S., and Dornbusch, R., Economics, McGraw-Hill,
10e.
Keat, P., and Young, P.K., Managerial Economics: Economic Tools for Todays Decision Makers, Prentice Hall, 6e.
Mankiw, N.G., Principles of Microeconomics, South-Western Cengage Learning, 6e.
McGuigan, J.R., Moyer, R.C., and Harris, F.H., Managerial Economics: Applications,
Strategies, and Tactics, South-Western College Pub, 11e.
Perloff, J.M., Microeconomics, Addison-Wesley, 6e.

Course Outline and Tentative Schedule

Section
1
2
3-4
5
6-7
8
9-10

Lecture topics
Introduction
Demand Theory
Consumer Behavior and Rational Choice
Production Theory
The Analysis of Costs
Perfect Competition
Monopoly and Monopolistic Competition

Required Readings
Allen et al., Chapter
Allen et al., Chapter
Allen et al., Chapter
Allen et al., Chapter
Allen et al., Chapter
Allen et al., Chapter
Allen et al., Chapter

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Grading Policy
Performance will be evaluated on the basis of a group presentation and a final exam,
weighted as follows:
Component
group presentation
final exam

Weight
.40
.60

Although home assignments are not given, students should practice end-of-chapter
problems.

Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend every class and be on time. Students are entitled to
2 absences from class without loss of grade. For each additional absence without a
doctors excuse, I will deduct one-half point from the final grade.

Group Presentation
Students are divided into six groups. Each group will choose and present one paper
from the list given by the instructor. Your presentation should demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the paper you are presenting.

Exam Policies
Failure to take the final exam at the scheduled time will result in a grade of zero unless
there is a serious family or personal matter of which I must be notified before the exam.
All academic work must meet the standards relevant to referencing and plagiarism.