EC202A-Macroeconomics I.1

Module Provider: School of Economics
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring
Module Convenor: Dr R Chakrabarti
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: R.Chakrabarti@reading.ac.uk

Aims:

Assessable learning outcomes:
To outline and develop a macroeconomic framework within which the main macroeconomic issues can be analysed. At the end of the module students should be able to:
Understand and explain the basic principles determining the level of economic activity.
Understand and explain the causes and processes of inflation and the relationship between inflation and economic activity.
Extend their understanding of closed economy relationships to the analysis of basic open economy issues.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
Balance of payments and exchange rates. IS-LM in an open economy (IS-LM-BP). Demand management policies (both monetary and fiscal policy). The module will end with discussion of the unemployment-inflation relationship, the role of expectations and the vertical long run Phillips curve. Emphasis will be given to examples and applications of the theory.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures will develop all the main module material. Classes will cover exercise material designed to facilitate understanding of lecture topics. Note that, because of anticipated large numbers of students, it may be impossible to organise small group class sessions, and classwork may instead need to be organised on a plenary basis. Office hours will be available for students to consult the lecturer on an individual basis.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	9 x 2 hrs	4 x 2 hrs	1 x 1 hr
Tutorials/seminars	4 x 1 hr	3 x 1 hr
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours	22	11	1
Number of essays or assignments	1 test	1 test
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
Tests will be held in the last week of the Autumn term and in the fifth week of the Spring term.

Relative percentage of coursework
Coursework has a weight of 20% in the final assessment mark.

Penalties for late submission
Penalties for late submission will be in accordance with the University policy.

Examination
One 2-hour unseen written paper.
Part 2 examinations are held in the Summer term.

Requirements for a pass
A minimum mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination for Part 2 modules takes place in August/September of the same year.

Last updated: 7 December 2009