EC102     
Economics B

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Antonio Mele 32 L 1.22 and Prof Ronny Razin 32 L 4.01

Availability

This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Actuarial Science, BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics, BSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, BSc in Economic History, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Economic History with Economics, BSc in Economics, BSc in Economics and Economic History, BSc in Economics with Economic History, BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Finance, BSc in Financial Mathematics and Statistics, BSc in Geography with Economics, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in International Social and Public Policy and Economics, BSc in Management, BSc in Mathematics and Economics, BSc in Mathematics with Economics, BSc in Mathematics, Statistics and Business, BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Psychological and Behavioural Science and BSc in Social Policy and Economics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

This is an introductory course in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students without a mathematical background may consider taking an introductory mathematics course, such as Basic Quantitative Methods, at the same time.  EC102 is unavailable to anyone who has passed Economics A (EC100). Entrance on to EC100 and EC102 is dependent on Economics A-level or equivalent background. Students without A-level economics (or equivalent) are not allowed to take EC102.

Course content

Part A: Consumer and Producer Theory; Markets and Competition; Welfare; Game Theory; Adverse Selection and Moral Hazard, Behavioural economics, economics of discrimination. Part B: Measurement of the aggregate economy; growth and development; economic fluctuations; stabilization policy; money and inflation; unemployment; financial and sovereign crises.

 

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route. This course exempts those who complete it from BA1 Fundamentals of Business Economics.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 11 hours of classes in the MT. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT.

Revision lectures will be offered in week 11 of both the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 61 hours across Michaelmas Term and Lent Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of virtual classes, live streamed (recorded) lectures, and some flipped content delivered as short online videos.

Formative coursework

MT: Students will submit weekly problems sets, and feedback will be provided for at least two of them. Full solutions will be available.  Feedback will also be provided on weekly quizzes.

LT: There will be weekly assignments to be submitted, for which full solutions will be available. Feedback will be provided for at least two of them.

Indicative reading

There is no mandatory textbook in either term.  Students may find it useful to consult the following:

Part A: Acemoglu, D. Laibson, D. and J. A. List (2016) Microeconomics, Pearson.

Part B: N Gregory Mankiw, Macroeconomics, Worth, 8th edition, or more recent editions.

Assessment

Exam (45%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the January exam period.
Exam (45%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Coursework (10%) in the MT and LT.

The Lent term examination is based on the Michaelmas term syllabus, and the Summer exam on the Lent term syllabus.

Coursework will consist of a combination of different formats, such as homework submission and partcipating in dicussions.  

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2019/20: 745

Average class size 2019/20: 19

Capped 2019/20: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of numeracy skills