Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
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MGEC41
Industrial Organization
Winter 2025
Instructor Contact Information:
Name: Aradhya Sood
Office: IC 286
Office hours: Fridays 11:30 am – 12:00 pm, except February 21 (reading week)
Email: Aradhya.Sood@rotman.utoronto.ca
Class day/time: Fridays 9-11 AM and 1-3 PM
Class location: IC 200
Course website: https://q.utoronto.ca/courses/377497
Course Description:
This class covers the economics of the firm in a market environment. We will study firm behavior and
market performance as influenced by market concentration, consumer behavior, strategic decisions by
rivals, and government policies. The course uses differential calculus extensively.
Organization of the Course:
This is an in-person course.
Suggested Course Materials:
Modern Industrial Organization, by Carlton and Perloff, 4th Edition, Pearson/Addison-Wesley.
Lecture Notes and Other Announcements:
I primarily use slides with annotations during lectures, and you are expected to take notes. Slides along
with other course materials will be posted on Quercus.
Overall Evaluation and Grading:
Component Weight/Value Due Date
Homework Assignments (4) 40% See schedule
Thesis Approval for Final Project 5% Feb 28th
Case Presentation (Groups of 3) 20% Mar 28, April 4
Final Project 35% April 7
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
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Homework Assignments: There are 4 homework assignments to be completed. You can work as
groups, but each student must turn in their assignments individually.
Case Presentations: The class will be divided into groups of 3 students. You will pick a real event
related to this course: merger, anti-trust policies, monopolies, price discrimination, market entry etc.
and use research papers, newspaper articles, podcasts etc. to explain the IO theory/model that is related
to your event. Each group will be assigned 10 minutes—6 for presentation and 4 for Q/A. The grading
rubric for case presentations will be available on Quercus. All students within the group must present.
Presentations will take place in the last two classes (class 11 and 12).
Thesis Approval: Provide a 1-2 sentence thesis statement for the question you would like to study in
your final project.
Final Projects: In a 3-page paper, put forward a proposal for a paper on a question related to an IO
topic studied in class. Describe the question you would ask and why. Explain which model/theory
would you use and how to study the IO phenomenon? Explain what type of data would be needed to
complete this project. Try to find sources for the data you have described. You do not need to provide
results but highlight what your hypothesis would be and explain what methods you would need to get
there. Use APA format for citations.
Policy on Missed Assignments/Examinations:
If severe illness from Covid or other emergency reasons preclude you from turning in your work on
time, please reach out to me as soon as possible.
Homework Assignments, Thesis Approval and Final Projects: If you are late in turning in your
work by 24 hours, you lose 15% of your grade. If you are late in turning in your work by 48 hours, you
lose 30% of your grade. If you turn in your assignment after 48 hours from due date and time, you get
0 for that assignment. If severe illness from Covid or other emergency reasons preclude you from
turning in your assignments in time, please reach out to me with your reason and I can give you an
extension.
Case Presentations: If severe illness from Covid or other emergency reasons preclude you from
participating in presentations with your group, you can email me a recording for your part of the
presentation.
Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights and respect for diversity. All members
of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect
where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one
another’s differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or harassment against any persons or
communities.
Management, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
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If you have questions or concerns on issues related to EDI, please contact the Equity, Diversity and
Inclusion Office: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/edio/
Academic Support
Questions relating to administrative, registration, degree/program requirements should be directed to the
academic advising team:
Management programs/courses: mgmtss@utsc.utoronto.ca.
Economics programs/courses: ecoss.utsc@utoronto.ca.
UTSC Library:
Management students can access library services at The BRIDGE, located in IC 108. The BRIDGE
offers programs and services to support students, staff, and faculty in their studies, research projects,
and experiential learning initiatives. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/thebridge/
Visit The BRIDGE to:
• Access the finance & data lab, including specialized software and Bloomberg terminals
• Participate in events and competitions
• Get research and data analytics help
• Access data and academic research tools and tutorials
• Get support in entrepreneurship and the New Venture Program
• Learn more about Work Integrated Learning
To find out more about the UTSC Library’s support for students visit: https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/
For all other inquiries, please email thebridge@utsc.utoronto.ca or email your Liaison Librarian,
Mariana Jardim mariana.jardim@utoronto.ca
Health & Wellness Centre:
The Health & Wellness Centre provides professional and confidential medical, nursing, counselling,
health promotion, and education services to all UTSC students. These services are offered in a safe,
caring, respectful, and empowering environment that is directed toward optimizing your personal,
academic, and overall wellbeing.. To access these services, please use the following url:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/ and when visiting the Health & Wellness Centre, please bring a
valid T-card and Health card.
Academic Advising and Career Centre:
The Academic Advising and Career Centre (AA&CC) at UTSC integrates developmental advising,
learning/study skills, career counselling, and employment coaching. To reach out to them please use
the following url: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/
Quercus – UTSC Learning Management System
To access Quercus, please visit: https://q.utoronto.ca
If you need help getting started? Visit the Quercus Help Page to access tip-sheets and other helpful
resources.
For additional questions, contact the Ed Tech team at quercus@utsc.utoronto.ca.
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For frequently asked questions, please visit: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/technology/faq-students
AccessAbility Services
The University provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with
the terms of the Ontario Human Rights Code. This occurs through a collaborative process that
acknowledges a collective obligation to develop an accessible learning environment that both meets
the needs of students and preserves the essential academic requirements of the University’s courses
and programs.
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have a disability that
may require accommodations, please feel free to approach me and/or the Accessibility Services office.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ability/welcome-accessability-services
The Centre of Teaching and Learning
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is available to support you in your writing, math and
stats, and English language needs. It offers online and in-person tutoring and consultations and has a
variety of helpful resources.
English Language Development Centre:
The English Language Development Centre (ELDC) helps students develop the critical
thinking, vocabulary and academic communication skills essential for achieving academic and
professional success. Personalized support includes: RWE (for academic writing);
Communication Cafés (oral); Discussion Skill-Building Cafés; Vocabulary Cafés;
seminars/workshops; personal ELD consultations; drop-in sessions.
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/english-language-development-support
The Writing Centre:
The Writing Centre (TWC) offers invaluable services to students (learn to become a better
writer!) and offers many different kinds of help: drop-in sessions, individual consultations,
workshops, clinics, and online writing handouts. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/writing-
support
Other Support:
For more information regarding other academic support from the university, please visit CTL’s
Student Resource Centre at AC313 or check out https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/academic-
learning-support.
Use of Generative AI in Assignments
Students may use artificial intelligence tools, including generative AI, in this course as learning aids
or to help produce assignments. However, students are ultimately accountable for the work they
submit.
Academic Misconduct
Academic integrity is essential to the pursuit of learning and scholarship in a university. The
University treats cases of cheating and plagiarism very seriously. The University of Toronto’s Code of
Behaviour on Academic Matters
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(http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/p
pjun011995.pdf) outlines the behaviours that constitute academic dishonesty and the processes for
addressing academic offences. Any student caught engaging in such activities will be subject to
academic discipline ranging from a mark of zero on the assignment, test or examination to dismissal
from the university as outlined in the Code of Behavior on Academic Matters. Any student abetting or
otherwise assisting in such misconduct will also be subject to academic penalties. If you like to find
out more information regarding university advice for ‘How not to plagiarize’, please use the following
url: https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize/
More generally, the link below includes a lot of useful advice for students on academic writing:
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/
For information and resources on Academic Integrity, visit: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/vpdean/faq-0
FIPPA language
Notice of video recording and sharing (Download and re-use prohibited)
This course, including your participation, will be recorded on video and will be available to students in
the course for viewing remotely and after each session.
Course videos and materials belong to your instructor, the University, and/or other sources depending
on the specific facts of each situation, and are protected by copyright. Do not download, copy, or share
any course or student materials or videos without the explicit permission of the instructor.
For questions about recording and use of videos in which you appear please contact your
instructor.
Detailed Course Outline:
DATE TOPIC DUE DATES
Jan 10 Class 1: Introduction, Cost Concepts, Perfect Competition
Jan 17 Class 2: Monopoly
Jan 24 Class 3: Oligopoly Part 1: Bertrand, Cournot Models
Jan 31 Class 4: Oligopoly Part 2: Stackelberg, Repeated Games Assignment 1 due at 9 am
Feb 7 Class 5: Oligopoly Part 3: Free Entry, Hotteling Models
Feb 14 Class 6: Price Discrimination Assignment 2 due at 9 am
Feb 28 Class 7: Pure and Mixed Bundling: Two Part Tariffs Project thesis due at 9 am
Mar 7 Class 8: Vertical Integration Assignment 3 due at 9 am
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Mar 14 Class 9: Horizontal Conduct and Mergers
Mar 21 Class 10: Outstanding topics and new research topics in IO Assignment 4 due at 9 am
Mar 28 Class 11: Group Case Presentations (during class)
April 4 Class 12: Group Case Presentations (during class)
April 7 Final project due at 9 am