ECON 2010: Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 2010, generally referred to by it’s old number, “Econ 201,” is one of the largest courses taught at the University of Virginia. Enrolling roughly 1000 students every Fall semester, Econ 201 appeals both to undergraduates who are considering majoring in Economics and those who will never take another Econ class in their life. The course consists of two large lectures per week and a smaller discussion section that meets once a week. The discussion sections are taught by graduate and undergraduate Teaching Assistants.
Information for the Fall 2024 semester is below:
- Head TA: Colin Williams (chv7bg@virginia.edu)
- Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 2:30-5:00pm
ECON 4200: Antitrust Policy
[Last taught Spring 2018]
Goals of the Course
The goals of the course are to train students to think clearly and to explain their thoughts before others. The teaching usually will be Socratic, with episodic lecturing by the instructor and the use of breakout groups. A secondary purpose of the class is to train students in research and writing skills through the composition of a term paper – which is optional. Completing a term paper meets the College’s Second Writing Requirement. It should go without saying, at Mr. Jefferson’s University, that all work (tests and papers) are to be done without cheating or copying the work of others.
The peg on which the goals of this course hang is the study of the federal antitrust laws. We shall examine the laws Congress passed, the interpretation given them by the courts, and the efforts of two federal agencies to enforce these laws. Through the study of antitrust, diligent students will improve their reasoning and speaking skills and, for some, their writing skills as well. Students who complete the course successfully will gain an understanding of the institution of antitrust. This will intrigue the intellectually curious, enhance social awareness, and augment the lifetime earnings stream of future lawyers, consultants and business managers.
Text and Course Outline
There is one textbook for the course: Breit and Elzinga, The Antitrust Casebook: Milestones in Economic Regulation (Third Edition). This book’s table of contents will serve as the approximate course outline. In addition, there may be some photocopied material distributed during the semester.
Preparation
Socratically taught courses require consistent preparation – on the part of the students as well as the instructor. Enrollment in Econ 420 is ill-advised for any student not willing to do this. An unprepared student is a negative externality to the class.
Other helpful links:
Department of Justice, Antitrust Division
Grading
There will be a comprehensive final examination worth 100 points.
A recommended option, particularly for students planning on graduate school or wanting a letter of recommendation from the instructor, is to write a term paper on a selected topic in antitrust. For students writing term papers, the final exam will count up to 50 of the 100 points; their term paper will count up to 50 points.
See syllabus for list of potential paper topics.
Important Dates
- Mandatory Introductory Class: TBA
- Normal class: TBA
- Class will not meet: TBA
- Term Paper Due Date: TBA
- Final Exam: TBA