APPLIED MICROECONOMICS

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Subtitle	Applied Microeconomics
Lecturer(s)	MIKAWA, NAOTO
Credit(s)	2
Academic Year/Semester	2026 Fall(1st Half)
Day/Period	Thu.2,3
Campus	Mita
Class Format	Face-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person)
Registration Number	17823
Faculty/Graduate School	[MASTER'S] ECONOMICS
Department/Major	ECONOMICS
Year Level	1, 2
Field	MASTER'S PROGRAM(10) MASTER'S PROGRAM SPECIALIZED COURSES(23)
Grade Type	This item will appear when you log in (Keio ID required).
Course Description	We will develop rigorous theoretical models maintaining their close connections to reality, elaborate on the economic logic and intuition behind the analyses, and discuss real-world implications. The course emphasises the importance of a theoretical understanding of strategic behaviour as the foundation for any practical application to industry
K-Number	GEC-EC-67202-212-07

Course Administrator	Faculty/Graduate School	GEC	ECONOMICS
Course Administrator	Department/Major	EC	ECONOMICS
Main Course Number	Level	6	Master's level coursework
	Major Classification	7	Master's Program Prescribed Course
	Minor Classification	20	Specialized Course - Economic Theory
	Subject Type	2	Elective required subject
Supplemental Course Information	Class Classification	2	Lecture
	Class Format	1	Face-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person)
	Language of Instruction	2	English
Academic Discipline		07	Economics, business administration, and related fields

Course Contents/Objectives/Teaching Method/Intended Learning Outcome

The objectives of this course are to develop an understanding of the fundamental theories of spatial economics, the field that studies the spatial distribution of economic activity and the location decisions of households and firms, and to acquire the ability to critically read and evaluate research papers in the field.
This course provides a theoretical foundation in spatial economics, covering land rent theory, transportation and trade, urban structure, regional disparities, urban systems, and the spatial sorting of households and firms. Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding of how spatial economic theories explain the location and distribution of economic activity. In addition to the theoretical foundations, the course introduces recent research findings and discusses how these theories are applied in contemporary empirical research.
Classes will be held in person, primarily using lecture slides. Additional explanations not included in the slides may be written on the board.

Course Taught by Faculty Member with Professional Experience

Not applicable

Active Learning MethodsDescription

Not applicable

Preparatory Study

For preparation, students should review the lecture materials provided in advance and gain a general understanding of the lecture content (approximately 1 hour). For review, they should revisit the lecture materials and derive the equations presented in class on their own (approximately 2 hours).

Course Plan

Lesson 1

Introduction

Lesson 2

The agricultural land rent

Lesson 3

The urban land rent

Lesson 4

Transportation and trade

Lesson 5

Urban transportation

Lesson 6

The producer city

Lesson 7

The consumer city I

Lesson 8

The consumer city II

Lesson 9

Regional disparities I

Lesson 10

Regional disparities II

Lesson 11

Urban systems

Lesson 12

Skill sorting across cities

Lesson 13

Quantitative spatial economics

Lesson 14

Spatial policy

Other

Final review

Method of Evaluation

Evaluation will be based on class participation and a referee report on a published paper. Instructions on how to write a referee report will be provided in the first class.

Generative AI Policy for Classes

May be used as supplementary resources for learning.

Reference Books

Brueckner, J. "The structure of urban equilibria: A unified treatment of the Muth-Mills model." Handbook of Regional and: Urban Economics. Vol. 2. Elsevier, 1987. 821-845.
Duranton, Gilles, and Diego Puga. "Micro-foundations of urban agglomeration economies." Handbook of regional and urban economics. Vol. 4. Elsevier, 2004. 2063-2117.
Koster, Hans RA, Stef Proost, and Jacques-François Thisse. Spatial economics. Oxford University Press, 2026.

Lecturer's Comments to Students

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Question/Comments

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Lab / Skill-development / On-site training	An educational approach in which students deepen their understanding of educational content through first-hand experience and trial-and-error by initiating their own activities at facilities and accommodations both on and off campus.
Fieldwork	An educational approach in which students conduct surveys and observations on their own to collect information both on and off campus.
Presentations	An educational approach in which students deepen their understanding of educational content by preparing materials and delivering presentations in class.
Discussions, Debates	An educational approach in which students deepen their understanding of educational content through sharing and discussing their opinions on designated topics.
Group work	An educational approach in which students are divided into small groups and assigned tasks on issues related to educational content.
Role-playing	An educational approach in which students deepen their understanding of educational content by being assigned specific roles to play, thus allowing them to experience different viewpoints.
Flipped classroom	An educational approach in which students study the course lecture in advance, and questions and discussions relating to that content are then held in class.
Problem-based learning	An educational approach in which students acquire knowledge and skills related to educational content by attempting to tackle specific projects or problems posed to them.