Introductory description

EC239-15 Economics 2: Macroeconomics

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The exact topics may vary, but the syllabus will typically include:

• Aggregate supply and the labour market
• The unemployment – inflation relationship
• Aggregate demand
• The use and effectiveness of monetary policy
• The role of fiscal policy
• The role of expectations in the economy
• The open economy
• Policy in an open economy
• Exchange rate regimes
• Labour markets and the macroeconomy
• Unemployment
• Efficiency wages

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Subject-Specific/Professional Skills:...produce concise and analytical reports relating to economic problems and issues. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Essay and Seminar presentations. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Subject knowledge and understanding:...understand key concepts and principles in intermediate macroeconomics. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, Reading, Exercise question sheets, Seminar discussions, Essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Key Skills:...communicate knowledge and understanding of economics in written, spoken, graphical and in mathematical forms. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheets, Essay and Seminar discussions. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Subject knowledge and understanding:...apply rigorous knowledge of theoretical models which underlie economic analysis. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, Reading, Exercise question sheets, Seminar discussions, Essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Key Skills:...conduct individual and collaborative research into an Economic topic, using world wide web and library resources. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheets, seminar discussions and essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative)
• Subject knowledge and understanding:...abstract and simplify economic problems through the application of theoretical models. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, Reading, Exercise question sheets, Seminar discussions, Essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Key Skills:...present the output of their own work to an audience. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Seminar discussions and essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative)
• Cognitive Skills Analyse and formulate models for understanding and solving problems. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheets, Essay and Seminar discussions. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essays, Group Projects (formative), Summer Examination.
• Cognitive Skills:...analyse competing models and hypotheses in a critical way. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheets, Readings and Essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative) Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Subject-Specific/Professional Skills:...select and apply appropriate economic models and techniques to particular problems especially those of a policy nature. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, Reading, Exercise question sheets, Essay and Seminar discussions. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Subject knowledge and understanding:...understand the uses, applications and limitations of theoretical models. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheets, Seminar discussions, Essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).
• Subject knowledge and understanding:...demonstrate knowledge of macroeconomic policies and understand the role of theory in analysing their effectiveness The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, Reading, Exercise question sheets, Seminar discussions, Essay. The assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: Exercise question sheet answers (formative), Essay (summative), Summer Examination (summative).

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in:
Analytical thinking and communication
Analytical reasoning
Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Strategic thinking
Problem-solving
Abstraction
Policy evaluation
Analysis of institutions
Analysis of incentives
Analysis of Optimisation
Understanding of Uncertainty and Incomplete Information

Transferable skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop:
Research skills
Numeracy and quantitative skills
IT skills
Written communication skills
Oral communication skills
Mathematical, statistical and data-based research skills