ECON 308 Managerial Economics SYLLABUS Prof Tontz Fall 2009 Email richard tontz csun edu Office BB 4253 Phone 818 677 2433 Website http www csun edu rlt50610 Office Hours Mon 6 00pm 7 00pm Tuesday 5 30 6 00pm TR 1 50pm 2 40pm by appointment Text Managerial Economics and Organizational Architecture James Brickley Clifford Smith Jerold Zimmerman Fifth Edition McGraw Hill Irwin Press publishers Course Objectives Designed to connect economic theory to practical issues faced by firm managers Focus is on the way economic theory affects the firm s behavior both internally and externally Internal issues include organizational structure and contract design especially as these issues relate to opportunism rent seeking and asymmetric information External issues include discussions of corporate strategy advertising and the market for corporate control Grading There will be two midterm exams 20 each an essay paper 10 class participation homework 10 and a cumulative final 40 There will be no make up exams There will not be plus minus grading Report Essay Ten percent of your grade will be based on an essay you are to write Topics will be discussed in class Papers must be no longer than 8 double spaced typewritten pages Times New Roman font size 12 number your pages and turn in a paper copy and an electronic copy of your paper by E mail 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 2006 CSUN Catalog page 530 Text Readings The following is a broad outline of course content Depending on class progress this outline is subject to change A new outline will be posted should any major change be envisioned All readings relate to the required text Course Outline Date Month Day Year Topic Reading 08 25 27 2009 W1 Course Introduction Economics as a Science Classnotes 09 01 03 2009 W2 Scarcity Choice Cost Competition Ch 1 09 08 10 2009 W3 Markets Organizations the role of Knowledge Ch 3 09 15 17 2009 W4 Demand and Competitive Markets Ch 4 09 22 24 2009 W5 Alternative Market Structures Ch 6 09 29 10 01 09 W6 Pricing with Market Power Review Ch 7 10 06 08 2009 W7 Review Midterm 1 10 13 15 2009 W8 Economics of Strategy Ch 8 10 20 22 2009 W9 Incentive Conflicts Contracts Ch 10 10 27 29 2009 Ch 13 14 11 03 05 2009 W10 Decision Rights Job parameters Retaining Employees W11 Incentive Compensation 11 10 12 2009 W12 Review Midterm 2 11 17 19 2009 W13 TBA 11 24 2009 Ch 15 W14 No Class Thursday 11 31 12 03 2009 W15 TBA 12 08 2009 W16 TBA 12 10 2009 Final Exam 12 45 2 45pm Drop Policy If you do not attend the first two class sessions I will assume you intend to drop the course I will add other students to fill your spot If you appear in subsequent class sessions I will ask you to drop the course and I will not grade your assignments or exams According to University policy non attendance does not constitute withdrawal to withdraw from this class you must file a drop form with the University If you fail to attend this class and you do not formally drop the class a WU unauthorized withdrawal the equivalent of a failing grade will be recorded In this class the university drop policy will be strictly enforced During the first three weeks of instruction students may withdraw online Once the third week has passed drops are normally not permitted Exceptions are granted or denied by the Office of Undergraduate Studies if there is a serious and compelling reason and there is no viable alternative a viable alternative includes taking a failing grade and repeating the course Changes in work schedule etc will not be considered a sufficient reason Complete Medical Withdrawals all classes are dropped due to medical problems yours or those of someone you care for are processed by the Health Center