25 Essential Business MOOCs For June

Microeconomics Principles

School: University of Illinois

Platform: Coursera

Link: https://www.coursera.org/course/microecon

Start Date: June 16, 2014 (8 Weeks)

Workload: 4-12 Hours Per Week

Instructor: Dr. JosƩ J. VƔzquez-Cognet

Credentials: Dr. VƔzquez-Cognet is a clinical professor of economics at the University of Illinois. An outstanding teacher, VƔzquez-Cognet has been awarded the Outstanding Teacher of Freshmen Award twice. He is particularly known for integrating technologies like simulation games and web-based activities into his courses. Before joining the University of Illinois faculty, VƔzquez-Cognet headed the Teaching and Learning Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Graded: Students can choose to audit the course or earn a signed certificate of achievement for successfully completing all assignments, quizzes, and tests.

Description: This introductory course will emphasize the ā€œnature and functions of product markets, the theory of the firm under varying conditions of competition and monopoly, and the role of government in promoting efficiency in the economy.ā€ In particular, VĆ”zquez-Cognet will cover economic modeling, supply and demand, trade, elasticity and taxes, production output and costs, and market power. The course will be taught through 8-15 minute lecture videos that will be accompanied by readings. Students will be evaluated through weekly quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments, and a semester-long project.

Review: ā€œFantastic course. As the name says – it’s the basics, the fundamentals, but they are presented thoroughly, with ample examples, so that even a total lay person in terms of microeconomics will enjoy the knowledge and the course.

This is my second course from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I’ll definitely continue to take part in the courses organized by that university, because the videos are prepared in such a way that it’s a pleasure to watch and a pleasure to learn. I believe the course team did a fantastic job.ā€

For additional reviews, clickĀ here.

Additional Note: There are three versions of this available, including four-week, eight-week, and 16-week tracks. The eight and 16-week courses are identical. However, the four week course covers less material.

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