PP440
Micro and Macro Economics (for Public Policy)
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Ethan Ilzetzki and Professor Daniel Sturm
Availability
This course is compulsory on the Master of Public Administration. This course is available on the MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo) and MSc in Political Science and Political Economy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
This course is an introductory graduate course providing an economics background suitable for high-level public policy-making. The emphasis is on acquiring sound models and methods suitable for appraising policy-making issues in a wide variety of contexts. The first term (MT) covers microeconomics and the second term (LT) covers macroeconomics.
MT (Microeconomics): competitive markets and economic efficiency; consumer optimisation and the demand for goods; firm optimisation and the supply of goods; market power; externalities in consumption and production; optimal provision of public goods; asymmetric information and market failure
LT (Macroeconomics): understanding macroeconomic data; long-run economic growth; business cycles; aggregate demand; money, inflation and monetary policy; stabilization policy; fiscal policy and government debt; the labour market and unemployment; exchange rates and international economic policy; the financial system and the macroeconomy.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 60 hours across Michaelmas Term and Lent Term and a revision session at the beginning of the Summer Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and lectures delivered as online videos. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas & Lent Terms.
Formative coursework
Students will complete weekly problem sets. Some of these will be marked to provide indicative assessment.
Indicative reading
A full reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
Assessment
Exam (70%, duration: 3 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Policy memo (10%) in the MT.
Policy memo (10%) in the LT.
Continuous assessment (10%) in the MT and LT.
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: School of Public Policy
Total students 2019/20: 97
Average class size 2019/20: 19
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: One Unit
