ECS1501/101/3/2018
Tutorial Letter 101/3/2018
Economics 1A
ECS 1501
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Economics
BARCODE
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 2
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ................................................................................ 2
2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Outcomes ....................................................................................................... 3
3 LECTURER AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................... 3
,3.1 Lecturer and Department .................................................................................. 3
3.2 University ....................................................................................................... 3
4 RESOURCES .................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Prescribed textbook .......................................................................................... 3
4.2 Study guide and tutorial letters .......................................................................... 4
4.3 myUnisa ......................................................................................................... 4
4.4 E-tutors .......................................................................................................... 4
4.5 Face-to-face tutors ........................................................................................... 5
5 STUDY PLAN .................................................................................................... 5
5.1 First semester.................................................................................................. 5
5.2 Second semester ............................................................................................. 6
6 ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................. 7
6.1 Assignments .................................................................................................... 7
6.1.1 Due dates for assignments ............................................................................. 7
6.1.2 Submitting assignments ................................................................................. 8
6.1.3 Assignment marks ......................................................................................... 9
6.2 Examinations ................................................................................................... 9
6.2.1 Examination admission .................................................................................. 9
6.2.2 Examination paper format .............................................................................. 9
6.2.3 Examination script reviews or re-marks...........................................................10
6.2.4 Marks .........................................................................................................10
7 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................10
8 ASSIGNMENTS................................................................................................11
8.1 FIRST SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS ......................................................................11
8.2 SECOND SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS...................................................................29
1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Economics 1A, an introduction to Microeconomics. We hope that you will find
this module interesting and rewarding. We will do our best to make your study of this module
successful. You will be well on your way to success if you start studying early in the semester
and keep on working throughout the semester.
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES
2.1 Purpose
When you are credited with this module, you will have a basic knowledge of microeconomic
theory and you will be able to apply, analyse and interpret basic microeconomic concepts
and principles. The purpose of this module is to gain insight into the solving of basic economic
problems in different economic systems and to understand how households and firms take
decisions and prices are determined.
2
, ECS1501/101
2.2 Outcomes
The main outcomes of this module are the following:
You must be able to
• conceptualise and apply the main economic problem in different economic systems and
use a diagram to explain how the economy functions
• explain and conceptualise the interaction between consumers and producers in a
perfectly competitive goods market
• conceptualise, apply, calculate and evaluate the price decisions of firms under perfect
market conditions in both the short and the long run
• conceptualise the factors that influence the labour market
More detailed module outcomes and assessment criteria can be found in each learning unit.
3 LECTURER AND CONTACT DETAILS
3.1 Lecturer and Department
Direct all academic enquiries about the content of this module (i.e. not administrative
queries) to us. Ensure that you have your study material and student number with you when
you contact us. You can use the following e-mail addresses to contact the department:
• First Semester
• Second Semester
You may also contact the administrative coordinator at the Department of Economics, Mrs
Mpho Mudau, at 012 433 4686.
3.2 University
If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module,
consult the brochure my Studies @ Unisa, which you have received with your study material.
This brochure contains information on how to contact the University (e.g. who to write to for
different queries, important telephone numbers, addresses, and details of the times certain
facilities are open). Below you will find some important e-mail addresses for the departments
that you might need to contact.
You can also send you enquiry directly to the following addresses:
• , for assignments queries
• , for study material queries
• , for queries on the examination
• , for account queries
• , for application and registration queries
• , for assistance with myLife e-mail accounts
• , for assistance with myUnisa
4 RESOURCES
4.1 Prescribed textbook
Your prescribed textbook for this module year is Mohr, P & associates. 2015. Economics
for South African students. 5th edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
3
, You can obtain the prescribed book from the official booksellers of
the University. Refer to the list of official booksellers and their
addresses, which are listed in the my Studies @ Unisa brochure. If
you have difficulty locating your book at these booksellers, contact
the Prescribed Book Section at 012 429 4152 or send an e-mail to
Those of you have a copy of the 4th edition of the prescribed
textbook may use it. However, all study material in this module are
based on the 5th edition. Thus, if you see a page reference in the
study material, it will refer to the 5th edition of the prescribed
textbook.
4.2 Study guide and tutorial letters
The study guide covers all the academic content of the module, refers you to the prescribed
textbook and gives some additional explanations. It is not necessary to study any work other
than that specified in the study guide document.
It is imperative for your own success to read all the tutorial letters immediately.
• This tutorial letter (Tutorial letter 101) contains administrative information about
this module as well as the assignments that you need to complete during the
semester (see Section 8).
• Tutorial Letter 102 is a glossary that contains definitions of important economics
terms and concepts in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Northern Sotho, Sesotho
and Setswana.
• Tutorial Letter 103 gives you more information on the examination.
• Solutions to the questions in the assignments are included in Tutorial Letters 201
to 204 (these tutorial letters will only be available after the closing date of the
specific assignment).
4.3 myUnisa
With internet access, you can get resources and information on the Unisa online campus,
myUnisa. Start on the main Unisa website at http://www.unisa.ac.za and then click on the
orange myUnisa block. This will take you to the myUnisa website. To go to the myUnisa
website directly, go to https://my.unisa.ac.za. When you are on the myUnisa website, click
on the Claim UNISA Login on the left-hand side of the screen. You will then be prompted
to give your student number to claim your initial myUnisa details and to get your myLife
login details.
You will see ECS1501-18-S1 (S2 in second semester) in the row of modules
on the top of the webpage. If you cannot find the module you require, click
on More Sites. Click on the module you want to open.
We will communicate with you on the main module site. On this site, you
will receive online lectures (under Learning Units). You will be notified of important
arrangements by means of the Announcements tool. If you have a question or want to
interact with your fellow students, you are welcome to use the Discussion Forum tool.
You will find copies of the study guide, all the tutorial letters and examination papers of
previous years under Official Study Material.
4.4 E-tutors
Except for the main webpage, you will also be allocated to an e-tutor webpage. You will find
your e-tutor webpage on myUnisa. It will be named ECS1501-18-S1-xxE, where the xx refers
to your e-tutor group number. E-tutors have been appointed to assist you with any academic
4
Tutorial Letter 101/3/2018
Economics 1A
ECS 1501
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Economics
BARCODE
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 2
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ................................................................................ 2
2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Outcomes ....................................................................................................... 3
3 LECTURER AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................... 3
,3.1 Lecturer and Department .................................................................................. 3
3.2 University ....................................................................................................... 3
4 RESOURCES .................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Prescribed textbook .......................................................................................... 3
4.2 Study guide and tutorial letters .......................................................................... 4
4.3 myUnisa ......................................................................................................... 4
4.4 E-tutors .......................................................................................................... 4
4.5 Face-to-face tutors ........................................................................................... 5
5 STUDY PLAN .................................................................................................... 5
5.1 First semester.................................................................................................. 5
5.2 Second semester ............................................................................................. 6
6 ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................. 7
6.1 Assignments .................................................................................................... 7
6.1.1 Due dates for assignments ............................................................................. 7
6.1.2 Submitting assignments ................................................................................. 8
6.1.3 Assignment marks ......................................................................................... 9
6.2 Examinations ................................................................................................... 9
6.2.1 Examination admission .................................................................................. 9
6.2.2 Examination paper format .............................................................................. 9
6.2.3 Examination script reviews or re-marks...........................................................10
6.2.4 Marks .........................................................................................................10
7 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................10
8 ASSIGNMENTS................................................................................................11
8.1 FIRST SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS ......................................................................11
8.2 SECOND SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS...................................................................29
1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Economics 1A, an introduction to Microeconomics. We hope that you will find
this module interesting and rewarding. We will do our best to make your study of this module
successful. You will be well on your way to success if you start studying early in the semester
and keep on working throughout the semester.
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES
2.1 Purpose
When you are credited with this module, you will have a basic knowledge of microeconomic
theory and you will be able to apply, analyse and interpret basic microeconomic concepts
and principles. The purpose of this module is to gain insight into the solving of basic economic
problems in different economic systems and to understand how households and firms take
decisions and prices are determined.
2
, ECS1501/101
2.2 Outcomes
The main outcomes of this module are the following:
You must be able to
• conceptualise and apply the main economic problem in different economic systems and
use a diagram to explain how the economy functions
• explain and conceptualise the interaction between consumers and producers in a
perfectly competitive goods market
• conceptualise, apply, calculate and evaluate the price decisions of firms under perfect
market conditions in both the short and the long run
• conceptualise the factors that influence the labour market
More detailed module outcomes and assessment criteria can be found in each learning unit.
3 LECTURER AND CONTACT DETAILS
3.1 Lecturer and Department
Direct all academic enquiries about the content of this module (i.e. not administrative
queries) to us. Ensure that you have your study material and student number with you when
you contact us. You can use the following e-mail addresses to contact the department:
• First Semester
• Second Semester
You may also contact the administrative coordinator at the Department of Economics, Mrs
Mpho Mudau, at 012 433 4686.
3.2 University
If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module,
consult the brochure my Studies @ Unisa, which you have received with your study material.
This brochure contains information on how to contact the University (e.g. who to write to for
different queries, important telephone numbers, addresses, and details of the times certain
facilities are open). Below you will find some important e-mail addresses for the departments
that you might need to contact.
You can also send you enquiry directly to the following addresses:
• , for assignments queries
• , for study material queries
• , for queries on the examination
• , for account queries
• , for application and registration queries
• , for assistance with myLife e-mail accounts
• , for assistance with myUnisa
4 RESOURCES
4.1 Prescribed textbook
Your prescribed textbook for this module year is Mohr, P & associates. 2015. Economics
for South African students. 5th edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
3
, You can obtain the prescribed book from the official booksellers of
the University. Refer to the list of official booksellers and their
addresses, which are listed in the my Studies @ Unisa brochure. If
you have difficulty locating your book at these booksellers, contact
the Prescribed Book Section at 012 429 4152 or send an e-mail to
Those of you have a copy of the 4th edition of the prescribed
textbook may use it. However, all study material in this module are
based on the 5th edition. Thus, if you see a page reference in the
study material, it will refer to the 5th edition of the prescribed
textbook.
4.2 Study guide and tutorial letters
The study guide covers all the academic content of the module, refers you to the prescribed
textbook and gives some additional explanations. It is not necessary to study any work other
than that specified in the study guide document.
It is imperative for your own success to read all the tutorial letters immediately.
• This tutorial letter (Tutorial letter 101) contains administrative information about
this module as well as the assignments that you need to complete during the
semester (see Section 8).
• Tutorial Letter 102 is a glossary that contains definitions of important economics
terms and concepts in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Northern Sotho, Sesotho
and Setswana.
• Tutorial Letter 103 gives you more information on the examination.
• Solutions to the questions in the assignments are included in Tutorial Letters 201
to 204 (these tutorial letters will only be available after the closing date of the
specific assignment).
4.3 myUnisa
With internet access, you can get resources and information on the Unisa online campus,
myUnisa. Start on the main Unisa website at http://www.unisa.ac.za and then click on the
orange myUnisa block. This will take you to the myUnisa website. To go to the myUnisa
website directly, go to https://my.unisa.ac.za. When you are on the myUnisa website, click
on the Claim UNISA Login on the left-hand side of the screen. You will then be prompted
to give your student number to claim your initial myUnisa details and to get your myLife
login details.
You will see ECS1501-18-S1 (S2 in second semester) in the row of modules
on the top of the webpage. If you cannot find the module you require, click
on More Sites. Click on the module you want to open.
We will communicate with you on the main module site. On this site, you
will receive online lectures (under Learning Units). You will be notified of important
arrangements by means of the Announcements tool. If you have a question or want to
interact with your fellow students, you are welcome to use the Discussion Forum tool.
You will find copies of the study guide, all the tutorial letters and examination papers of
previous years under Official Study Material.
4.4 E-tutors
Except for the main webpage, you will also be allocated to an e-tutor webpage. You will find
your e-tutor webpage on myUnisa. It will be named ECS1501-18-S1-xxE, where the xx refers
to your e-tutor group number. E-tutors have been appointed to assist you with any academic
4
