Introduction to Economics II
Code: 106187Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary History, Politics and Economics | FB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Javier Asensio Ruiz De Alda
- Email :
- javier.asensio@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
-
Most of the subjects are taught in English. A B2 level of English of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is required, although no specific test of English proficiency level is held to access the degree.
No prior knowledge of Economics is assumed. It should be noted, however, that Economics intensely uses numerical, graphical, and algebraic languages, in addition to verbal language, to identify and represent quantitative relationships and dependence and causality between variables.
Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide the basic tools developed so far by economics, especially macroeconomics, and that allow us to analyze and understand much of the current social reality, as well as issues of persistent economic organization in all human society.
Some of the questions that arise are: Why do some economies grow more than others? Why are there economic cycles and what can governments do to influence them? What economic and social impact does globalization have?
Despite the complexity of the questions posed, the aim is that students, at the end of the course, have learned to use the basic tools we currently have to begin to address these issues taking into account history rigorously, and know how to look for information about the facts, how to analyze them and how to distinguish between analysis, assessment and opinion. This effort must allow the well-founded participation of students as part of the citizenry in debates on public policies both locally and globally, as well as facilitate the monitoring of economic matters throughout the degree.
Learning outcomes
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Identify the economic aspects that determine demand and supply.
- Differentiate between different market structures and analyze their effects on sales and corporate profits and consumer welfare.
- Identify the constituting elements of technology and costs.
- Describe the determinants of economic growth and the international differences in income per capita.
- Examine the effect of economic policies on macroeconomic variables.
- Recognise the causes of economic crises and their impact on different sectors of activity and national economies.
- Identify the price determiners and exchange quantities in all kinds of markets.
- Recognise the conditions under which public intervention in the economy is necessary.
- Analyse the strategic interactions between participants and the effects of their actions on third-party decisions.
- Apply game theory to the analysis of economic decisions.
- Innovate in the methods and processes of this area of knowledge in response to the needs and wishes of society.
- Demonstrate motivation regarding the quality of the work performed and sensitivity regarding the consequences on the society.
- Work as part of a team and be able to argue own proposals and validate or refuse the arguments of others in a reasonable manner.
- Identify the characteristics of the process of economic development and their causes and consequences.
- Apply descriptive and causal quantitative techniques which allow analysis of the economic and social situation.
Contents
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem sets | 30 | 1.2 | 1, 3, 16, 17, 18 |
| Tutorials | 12 | 0.48 | 1, 2, 18 |
| Practice classes | 8 | 0.32 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| Master Classe | 45 | 1.8 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| Reading and studying of textbook and class material | 35 | 1.4 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 17 |
| Web information search | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 2 |
15 minutes of time will be reserved for students to complete the end of term survey.
On the use of Artificial Intelligence resources: For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed in out-of-class assessed activities exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction, or translations. The use of AI for data collection, processing, and analysis is explicitly excluded. When instructors design activities involving the use of AI, specific instructions will be provided regarding its use in that particular activity.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 25% | 6.5 | 0.26 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| Problem Sets | 25% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 3, 18 |
| Exam | 50% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18 |
There will be 3 assessment activities designed to complement the necessary regular class attendance.
Activity 1: problem solving or written questions / discussion about texts by the student in the classroom. It will weigh 25%.
Activity 2: choose from the following options: group videos; group work; individual resolution of exercises commissioned by the teacher-a; individual commentary on a book agreed with the teacher-a. For each modality, the teacher-a will publish in advance a rubric where the criteria of evaluation will be explained. Each of these activities will weigh 25%.
Activity 3: individual tests or exams of comprehension and ability to apply the set of concepts and topics covered. It will weigh 50%. In order to average the rest of the activities, it will be necessary to obtain a minimum grade of 3.5 in these tests.
The teacher-a will be able to condition the evaluation of the activities to the assistance and participation in class. In the event that the average indicated gives rise to a FAILED grade, it will be possible to carry out a re-take exam (provided that the average is not less than 3.5).
Approximate schedule of evaluations
Activity 1: Last week March (date set by the teacher).
Activity 2: Complementary activity - to be submitted in the first-second week of May (date set by the teacher).
Activity 3: Written test (date, time and classroom set at the beginning of the course) in June.
The exact dates for scheduling the evaluation evidence will be announced on the first day of class.
It is very important toalways come to class in order to learn how to solve problems and to have guarantees to pass the exams, which will be totally related to issues discussed in class.
At the time of carrying out each assessment activity, the teacher will inform the student (Moodle) of the procedure and date of revision of the grades.
Students will obtain a “Not assessed/Not submitted” course grade unless they have submitted morethan 1/3 of the assessment items.
On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
In the event that tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to anonline format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained).
Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.
This subject does not allow a single assessment.
Bibliography
Main Material: CORE Project (https://www.core-econ.org/), e-book The Economy: https://www.core-econ.org/the-economy (it can be accessed or downloaded freely)
Other recommended books:
Mankiw, Gregory, Principles of Economics, 6th ed., 2012.
Samuelson, Paul & William Nordhaus., Economics. Ed. McGraw-Hill, 19th ed., 2010
Mochón, Francisco, Economía. Teoría y Política. Ed. McGraw-Hill, 6ª ed., 2009.
Robinson, Joan & John Eatwell, Introduction to Modern Economics, 2nd ed., 1982.
Ostrom, Elinor, Governing the Commons, Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Perdices, Luis & Elena Gallego, Mujeres economistas. Editorial del Economista. Madrid, 2007.
Software
The software R, freely available, will be introduced and used.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 50 | English | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 50 | English | second semester | morning-mixed |