Part A | A Very Big Idea
// specialization and trade can benefit everyone //Part A explores one of the most profound insights in all of social science: why humans have a fundamental drive to cooperate and coordinate with one another. The ideas you'll discover here — opportunity cost, the production possibility frontier, and comparative advantage—reveal that cooperation isn't just nice, it's economically inevitable. These concepts explain why we specialize, why cities flourish, and how strangers working together can create prosperity that benefits everyone. These aren't just abstract theories; they're the invisible forces that make civilization possible.
Block A1 ~ What is microeconomics?
Microeconomics is about how we make decisions under constraints that arise from having both preferences and scarcity.
Episode A1
What is microeconomics?
Chapter 1: The principles of microeconomics Reading
Skim the text to understand the main ideas
Vignette A1
No vignette in this block
Homework A1: Sunday, September 4 Practice Assignment Solutions
Unlimited practice. Instant feedback. Submit to Gradescope.
Block A2 ~ The production possibility frontier
The PPF shows us what's attainable as individuals and as a society.
Episode A2
The landscape of what's possible
Chapter 2: Thinking like an economist Reading
Skim the text to understand the main ideas
Vignette A2
PPF practice problems
Homework A2: Sunday, September 4 Practice Assignment Solutions
Unlimited practice. Instant feedback. Submit to Gradescope.
Block A3 ~ Comparative advantage and specialization
Minimizing opportunity cost by specializing in one's comparative advantage can bend out the PPF.
Episode A3
Specialization
Chapter 3: Gains from trade Reading
Skim the text to understand the main ideas
Vignette A3
Specialization practice problems
Homework A3: Sunday, September 4 Practice Assignment Solutions
Unlimited practice. Instant feedback. Submit to Gradescope.
Block A4 ~ Trade
Trade based on comparative advantage makes both parties better off simultaneously.
Episode A4
Trade
Chapter 4
No reading in this block
Vignette A4
Trade practice problems
Homework A4: Sunday, September 4 Practice Assignment Solutions
Unlimited practice. Instant feedback. Submit to Gradescope.
Recitations
Come to Recitations prepared to work through extended Vignettes in both small groups and as a class. Your Recitation Instructor will guide you through a less structured economic problem, similar to what was covered in class and what you'll see on the next MiniExam. Submit your work to Gradescope at the end of Recitation.
MiniExam
MiniExam A will be held on Wednesday September 11th and covers everything in Part A. You will begin to learn that if you understand the concepts and do the work in the Vignettes, Homework, and Demo, you're going to be in good shape on the MiniExam.
