INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION
Outline

Goals
This course is a study of topics in the organization of firms and industries, government policies towards business and their impact on society. It goes beyond traditional emphasis on the structure of firm sizes, causes, and effects of structure on markets. We will understand the role of theory in current policy debates such as whether mergers promote economic efficiency, whether countries should permit gray‑market imports and whether there are any benefits to commercial integration agreements such as NAFTA. In this sense, this course is and extension and application of microeconomics, and students are expected to have a thorough understanding of basic microeconomics.

The approach we will talce will be to understand the relevant theoretical models proposed for each identified problem and develop criteria to select among competing solutions. We will then survey the feasibility of implementing the various policy options by gaining an appreciation of political ideologies and historical context.

Topics Covered
Specifically, the students will work problems drawn from classroom discussions, present two examinations and a final term paper on a relevant policy topic.

We will use a textbook supplemented by readings on current issues in industrial organization.

Key Books and Articles

 Carlton, Dennis W. & Jeffrey M. Perloff., Modern Industrial Organization 2nd. ed. (Glenview, Ill: Scott, Foresman & Co., 19##).

Case Material

Criteria for Evaluating Teaching and Student Performance
A mid-term and final examination are worth 60% of the grade; the final project accounts for the balance.

Students will evaluate the instructor's performance at the end of the session on a number of criteria including clarity, availability and grasp of the material.