EC201-5-SP-CO:
Macroeconomics (Intermediate)

The details
2020/21
Economics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Sunday 17 January 2021
Friday 26 March 2021
15
04 February 2020

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

EC324, EC368

Key module for

BA L100SK Economics,
BSC L101SK Economics

Module description

The module familiarizes students with the tools of macroeconomic analysis and show how these tools can be applied in macro-policy issues.

National income accounting; theories of growth; the government budget, fiscal and monetary policies in the short-run; balance of payments and exchange rates; international monetary regimes and domestic stabilization policies; wage-price flexibility and adjustment to macroeconomic shocks; unemployment, inflation, and the natural rate; monetary policy, dynamic inconsistency, and credibility; microfoundations of sticky wages and prices; microfoundations of aggregate consumption; the quantity theory of money and monetarism.

Module aims

The aim of the module is to familiarize the student with the tools of macroeconomic analysis and show how these tools can be applied in macro-policy issues. Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to build alternative macroeconomic models; apply analytical reasoning to derive and compare their main predictions; conceptualize actual macroeconomic questions by means of these models; and evaluate critically alternative macroeconomic policies.

The module contributes towards the key skills of problem solving, numeracy, communication, and time management.

Module learning outcomes


Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Build alternative macroeconomic models;
2. Apply analytical reasoning to derive and compare their main predictions;
3. Conceptualize actual macroeconomic questions by means of these models;
4. Evaluate critically alternative macroeconomic policies.

The module contributes towards the key skills of problem solving, numeracy, communication, and time management. Employability skills include:

1. Academic skills: literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, research, information and communication skills.
2. Professional working skills: adaptability; flexibility, decision-making.
3. External awareness: knowledge of work, creativity and originality.
4. Personal development planning: Time management, target setting and action planning, self management, reflection and evaluation.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

2 lecture hours per week, weeks 2-11, 16-25, 1 class per week, weeks 3-11, 16-25, 30. Feedback for this module will occur through class meetings where we will go over the answers to problem sets and where you will be able to ask questions about your own method of solution; answers that will be posted on the website for the module that will give you written guidance on the appropriate method to approach the problems, assignments, and tests; and office hours where any additional questions can be addressed. You should be sure that you use these methods to understand how to improve your own performance. For modules including a term paper, the term paper will be returned with individualised feedback that addresses what the marking criteria are and how you could improve your own work.

Bibliography

  • Mankiw, N. Gregory. (2019) Macroeconomics, New York, NY: Macmillan International Higher Education.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   17/02/2021 - Moodle Test (Spring)    100% 
Exam  Main exam: 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Whichever is the Greater: EITHER 50 per cent Coursework Mark, 50 per cent Exam Mark OR 100 per cent Exam Mark IF Coursework Mark is a pass or better

Reassessment

Whichever is the Greater: EITHER 50 per cent Coursework Mark, 50 per cent Exam Mark OR 100 per cent Exam Mark IF Coursework Mark is a pass or better

Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Lukas Mayr, email: lukas.mayr@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Gianluigi Vernasca, email: gvern@essex.ac.uk.
Lecture: Prof Gianluigi Vernasca (Autumn) & Lukas Mayr (Spring) / Classes: various teachers
For further information, send an email message to ueco@essex.ac.uk.

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

Mr Pedro David Matos Serodio
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 1021 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
1021 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Economics

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