14.121 Microeconomic Theory I, and III, Time Series Analysis
14.121 Microeconomic Theory I
Fall 2008
Microeconomics focuses on patterns of supply and demand and the determination of price and output in individual markets. (Photograph courtesy of Darren Hester on Flickr.)
Course Description
This half-semester course provides an introduction to microeconomic theory designed to meet the needs of students in the economics Ph.D. program. Some parts of the course are designed to teach material that all graduate students should know. Others are used to introduce methodologies. Topics include consumer and producer theory, markets and competition, general equilibrium, and tools of comparative statics and their application to price theory. Some topics of recent interest may also be covered.
14.123 Microeconomic Theory III
Spring 2009
An example of a Cournot duopoly. After several rounds of elimination, the rationalizable outcome is approximated. (Image by Prof. Peter Eso.)
Course Description
This half-semester course discusses decision theory and topics in game theory. We present models of individual decision-making under certainty and uncertainty. Topics include preference orderings, expected utility, risk, stochastic dominance, supermodularity, monotone comparative statics, background risk, game theory, rationalizability, iterated strict dominance multi-stage games, sequential equilibrium, trembling-hand perfection, stability, signaling games, theory of auctions, global games, repeated games, and correlation.
14.384 Time Series Analysis
Fall 2008
Graph of time series equation. (Image courtesy of Daniel Bersak.)
Course Highlights
This course contains both lecture notes and supplemental recitation notes.
Course Description
The course provides a survey of the theory and application of time series methods in econometrics. Topics covered will include univariate stationary and non-stationary models, vector autoregressions, frequency domain methods, models for estimation and inference in persistent time series, and structural breaks. We will cover different methods of estimation and inferences of modern dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models (DSGE): simulated method of moments, maximum likelihood and Bayesian approach. The empirical applications in the course will be drawn primarily from macroeconomics.
