BSc Economics / Course details

“Studying Economics” is a unique module in your Economics degree in that its aim is to provide a broad base upon which Economics can be more effectively learned. As such there is little economic “content” per se. Rather the module is designed to provide a set of skills and wider context to students so that they might gain a more holistic appreciation of their studies. There are two main aims of ECON10011. The primary aim is to introduce students to what economists actually do and the skills we use to communicate our ideas to each other and the wider world. The secondary aim is to get students started on the path towards using Economics in their professional lives upon graduating. Thinking about a post-university career begins in the first week of university and we will be jump-starting this process. By the end of this module students will have a better understanding of the nature of Economics and of how to improve their chances of getting in to the profession of their choice after graduating.

At the end of this course unit it is expected that you will:

• be able to explain what it is economists do

• understand the role of models in economic thinking

• understand the power and limitations of economic analysis

• understand the importance of ethics to an economist and the distinction between positive and normative economic analysis.

• more effectively write about Economic ideas and evidence

• more effectively talk about Economic ideas and evidence

• be able to handle economic data

• be able to engage in self-evaluation and peer-review

• understand academic malpractice and how to avoid it

 

Pre-requisites: this course is for BSc Economics students ONLY.

This course unit if for BSc Economics students only.

“Studying Economics” is a unique module in your Economics degree in that its aim is to provide a broad base upon which Economics can be more effectively learned. As such there is little economic “content” per se. Rather the module is designed to provide a set of skills and wider context to students so that they might gain a more holistic appreciation of their studies. There are two main aims of ECON10011. The primary aim is to introduce students to what economists actually do and the skills we use to communicate our ideas to each other and the wider world. The secondary aim is to get students started on the path towards using Economics in their professional lives upon graduating. Thinking about a post-university career begins in the first week of university and we will be jump-starting this process. By the end of this module students will have a better understanding of the nature of Economics and of how to improve their chances of getting in to the profession of their choice after graduating.

At the end of this course unit it is expected that you will:

• Be able to explain what it is economists do.
• Understand the role of models in economic thinking.
• Understand the power and limitations of economic analysis.
• Understand the importance of ethics to an economist and the distinction between positive and normative economic analysis.
• More effectively write about Economic ideas and evidence.
• More effectively present about Economic ideas and evidence.
• Be able to handle economic data
• Be able to engage in self-evaluation and peer-review.
• Understand academic malpractice and how to avoid it.

The focus will be on skills being developed for the study, discussion, and
appreciation of Economics.

An indicative syllabus is:

•       How to work at Uni

•       What is Economics? What do Economists Know?

•       Evidence: Data and Theory/Exploring Future Options

•       Communicating Economics

•       What are Economic Models?

•       Topical Issues in Economics

Synchronous activities (such as Lectures or Review and Q&A sessions, and tutorials), and guided self-study

Personal Development Plan (PDP)       
Weighting: 20%      Length: Variable.      Structure: to be confirmed.

You Are What You Read (YAWYR)       
Weighting: 20%      Length: several short written pieces.        Structure: to be confirmed
 

Essay.         
Weighting: 60%.     Length: 1500 words.            Structure: to be confirmed

•       Through discussion in classes, open door sessions and discussion boards

•       Peer evaluation and feedback on elements of YAWYR

•       Feedback from teaching staff on elements of YAWYR

•       Feedback on final essay.

The most important thing is that you read about interesting economic topics (inequality, climate change, unemployment, financial markets, etc). Do read often and widely but do make sure that you take in readings from good quality sources (like The Economist, The Financial Times, etc). If you want to read a book I recommend the following two:

 

Dani Rodrik, Economics Rules: The Rights and Wrongs of The Dismal Science. New York: W.W. Norton; 2015.

 

Deirdre N. McCloskey and Stephen T. Ziliak , Economical Writing, Third Edition: Thirty-Five Rules for Clear and Persuasive Prose (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)

For every 10 course unit credits we expect students to work for around 100 hours. This time generally includes any contact times (online or face to face, recorded and live), but also independent study, work for coursework, and group work. This amount is only a guidance and individual study time will vary