EC991-8-AU-CO:
Topics in Macroeconomics
2024/25
Economics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 8
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
20
25 March 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module is designed for postgraduate research students in the Department of Economics. It aims to introduce crucial methods and models in modern macroeconomic research, focusing on monetary and fiscal policy, as well as search frictions in labour markets. The module will aim to cover the following topics:
- Standard solution methods for heterogeneous agent models.
- The New Keynesian framework and HANK models.
- On-the-job search and wage posting.
- Sequential auctions and individual bargaining.
The aims of the module are:
- To equip students with the essential tools for modern macroeconomic analysis.
- To foster a deep understanding of recent research outputs in the field.
- To introduce advanced mathematics and quantitative methods in class as needed.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the basic mathematical frameworks and methods used in theoretical economics analysis, particularly the topics of decision theory, game theory, and contract theory.
- Understand, develop, and solve problems in the basic mathematical frameworks relevant for these topics.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Possess a comprehensive understanding of the main issues, theories, and tools relevant to modern macroeconomics.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the impact of macroeconomic policy in both short and long-term contexts.
The module will be taught four hours weekly over ten weeks, covering lectures and classes. Lectures will introduce the main topics and go through the methodologies and concepts. Classes will be computer-based and cover computational problems arising from the lecture materials.
Assessment will be based on four pieces of coursework. These will typically, but not necessarily always, be based on analytical and computational problems related to those discussed in the lectures and classes.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 3 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 4 |
|
25% |
Additional coursework information
Assessment will be based on 4 pieces of coursework. These will typically, but not necessarily always, be based on analytical and computational problems related to those discussed in the lectures and classes.
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ran Gu, email: ran.gu@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Valerio Pieroni, email: valerio.pieroni@essex.ac.uk.
Lectures & Classes: Dr Valerio Pieroni and Dr Ran Gu
For further information, send an email message to pgteco@essex.ac.uk.
Yes
No
No
Dr Domenico Moro
university of Birmingham
Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 40 hours, 20 (50%) hours available to students:
20 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Economics
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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