EC1B5      Half Unit
Macroeconomics I

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof. Rachel Ngai, SAL 1.15

Availability

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Economic History. This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and International Relations and BSc in Psychological and Behavioural Science. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

This course cannot be taken with EC1B3 Macroeconomics.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Microeconomics I (EC1A5).

Course content

This course is an introductory course in macroeconomics, which is the study of the overall economic performance of countries. You will learn about economic growth, business cycles (booms and recessions), unemployment, inflation, exchange rates, monetary and fiscal policy. We will apply the tools developed in the course to historical and contemporary events.

This course, in combination with either EC1A3 or EC1A5, exempts those who complete them from BA1 Fundamentals of Business Economics of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

This course, combined with EC1A5, contributes to the CB2 Exemption of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA).

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the WT. 1 hour of classes in the ST.

There will be a reading week in Week 6 of WT only (no lectures or, classes).

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 30 hours across Winter Term and Spring Term.  

Formative coursework

There will be weekly assignments and feedback will be given on two.

Indicative reading

  • Macroeconomics – Daron Acemoglu, David I. Laibson, and John A. List (note the content is also part of the textbook Economics by the same authors).

Assessment

Exam (90%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the spring exam period.
Coursework (10%) in the WT.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2023/24: 209

Average class size 2023/24: 21

Capped 2023/24: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication