Essential Business MOOCs For December

Microeconomics Principles

 

School: University of Illinois

Platform: Coursera

Registration Link: Microeconomics Principles

Start Date: December 22, 2014 (8 Weeks)

Workload: 4-12 Hours Per Week

Instructor: Dr. José J. Vázquez-Cognet

Credentials: Dr. Vázquez-Cognet is a clinical professor of economics at the University of Illinois. An outstanding teacher, Vázquez-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, Vázquez-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 “nature 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.” In particular, Vázquez-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: “Fantastic 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.”

For additional reviews, click 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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