Prof Rachel Ngai, SAL.1.15

This course is available on the MSc in Finance and Economics and MSc in Finance and Economics (Work Placement Pathway). This course is not available as an outside option.

Students must have completed Introductory Course in Mathematics and Statistics (EC400).

This course will teach you the main characteristics of business cycle fluctuations with a special emphasis on what happens during severe economic crises. We will consider a range of different macroeconomic models to study business cycles. The course covers the Real Business Cycle model, the New-Keynesian model, models with frictions in labour and financial markets, agent-based models, the role of money, self-fulfilling believes, the role of monetary and fiscal policy (and in particular non-conventional monetary policy), and (un)sustainable sovereign debt. These models and policy studies will highlight important economic mechanisms that are relevant to analyse a range of past and current economic phenomena.

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

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

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

Two marked assignments in the WT. Exercises are discussed in weekly classes.

Primary reading will be journal articles. A full list will be made available at the start of each term. 

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