Programme aims
To provide students with an academic training in the principles of economics.
To provide students with an awareness of the quantitative methods appropriate for knowledge of economic principles and applied economics.
To foster in students an appreciation of the appropriate level of abstraction and simplification needed to explore a range of economic issues.
To encourage in students the acquisition of autonomous study skills and the adoption of an investigative approach to tackle economic problems.
To develop in students the ability to construct logical arguments, to communicate arguments clearly in writing, and to appreciate, evaluate and respond to potentially conflicting interpretations of economic phenomena.
To provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills constructively to one or more specialist areas of economics and the associated policies.
To allow students, through the study of economics, to acquire critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills, and transferable skills.
To provide students with a foundation for further studies in economics and allied disciplines. To give students the opportunity to put their academic learning outcomes into a work context.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Knowledge of the fundamental principles of economics, including microeconomics and macroeconomics.
A2: Understanding of the application of economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies.
A3: Knowledge of the mathematical methods needed to comprehend economic principles.
A4: Awareness of the sources of economic information and/or knowledge and understanding of sources available for historical research.
A5: Knowledge of statistical methods needed for the analysis of economic issues.
A6: Appreciation of one or more specialist areas of economics in depth.
A7: Understanding of the mathematical methods needed to articulate economic theories.
A8: Knowledge of econometric methods and an awareness of how they are applied in the analysis and evaluation of economic issues.
Learning methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the principles, concepts and arguments in A1-A8.
Students are also assigned readings from textbooks, academic journal papers, unpublished research papers and on-line resources.
Students’‘ understanding is reinforced by classes, especially for outcomes A1, A2, A3, A5, A6, A7, A8.
Laboratory sessions are provided to support learning of quantitative methods (A5).
Individual supervision of the final year project provides additional support especially for outcomes A4 and A6, and reinforces A2, A3, A5.
Lectures and classes in final year courses are particularly important to enable students to achieve A6.
Assessment methods
Achievement of knowledge and understanding is assessed through:
marked assignments (A1, A2)
tests (A1, A2, A3, A5, A7, A8)
term papers (A1, A2, A4, A6)
project work (A1-A6)
unseen closed-book examinations (A1, A2, A3, A5, A6).
Learning outcomes A2, A4 are assessed by tests and unseen closed-book examinations.
Learning outcome A6 is assessed by term papers and unseen closed-book examinations particularly in final year, EC3xx, economics courses.
Learning outcome A4 is assessed especially via term papers (in second year and final year economics courses) and the final year project.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse a specified problem and choose the most suitable methods for its solution.
B2: Assess the relative merits of a range of theories, techniques and tools needed to articulate arguments and policies.
B3: Synthesise and interpret information from a range of sources (lectures, classes, journals, books, etc.) developing a critical evaluation of the importance and relevance of the sources to an area of study.
B4: Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of economic ideas.
Learning methods
Students’ acquisition of intellectual and cognitive skills, B1-B4, is enabled primarily through lectures and further sustained via classes.
Outcome B1 is developed particularly in exercises designed for core economic theory, mathematical methods and quantitative methods classes.
Outcomes B2, B3 and B4 are key elements in students’‘ preparation for assignments.
Individual project supervision and guidance for term paper study are especially important in providing opportunities for students to acquire B2, B3 and B4.
Assessment methods
Achievement of intellectual/cognitive skills is assessed through marked assignments (especially B1 and B3), tests (especially B1), term papers (especially B2, B3, B4), project work (especially B2, B3 and B4) and unseen closed-book examinations (especially B1, B2 and B4).
C: Practical skills
C1: Identify, select and gather information, using the relevant sources.
C2: Organise ideas in a systematic way.
C3: Present economic and/or historical ideas and arguments coherently in writing.
C4: Use and apply economic terminology and concepts
Learning methods
Skill C1 is developed via directed reading from textbooks and academic journal articles together with searches for online materials.
Skill C2 is acquired during lectures and classes, and as a consequence of studying course materials.
Skill C3 is articulated in the preparation of assignments and term papers.
Skill C4 is developed in classes and is emphasised in the preparation of assignments, term papers and projects.
Assessment methods
Achievement of practical skills C1, C3 and C4 is assessed directly through marked assignments, tests, term papers, project work and unseen closed-book examinations.
Skill C2 is assessed indirectly via assignments, term papers, projects and final examinations.
D: Key skills
D1: Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language:
(a) the articulation of economic theories,
(b) the description of economic evidence,
(c) the critical assessment of economic arguments and policies
D2: Understanding of quantitative methods, an awareness of the contexts in which the methods are relevant and a knowledge of how they are applied in practice to analyse economic data.
D3: Understanding of how economic reasoning is used to address problems involving opportunity cost, incentives, households' and firms' decision-making, strategic thinking, expectations and market outcomes in equilibrium and disequilibrium.
D4: Capacity to:
(a) organise and implement a plan of independent study;
(b) reflect on his or her own learning experience and adapt in response to feedback; and
(c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research
Learning methods
Students are guided in lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers in acquiring skills D1-D4.
Skills D2, D3 and D4 are reinforced through the quantitative methods course, and courses in theoretical and applied economics.
Only minimal formally assessed requirements for the completion of the programme are listed here.
In reality, the overwhelming majority of economics students acquire a much broader range of key skills, and at greater depth, in ways that are integrated seamlessly throughout their studies of the subject.
Assessment methods
Skills D1, D2 and D4 are assessed through marked assignments, tests, term papers, projects and unseen closed-book examinations.
Skill D3 is assessed particularly through tests and unseen closed-book examinations.