EXC 3525 Macroeconomics
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APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013
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EXC 3525 Macroeconomics Responsible for the course Jørgen Juel Andersen Department Department of Economics Term According to study plan ECTS Credits 7,5 Language of instruction English Introduction Macroeconomics is the study of the economy as a whole. It deals with phenomena such as long-run economic growth, business cycles, unemployment, inflation, and deficits on the balance of payments. Analyses on how governments and central banks can influence the macroeconomy through fiscal and monetary policy are particularly important in macroeconomics. Learning outcome An important goal of this course is to familiarize students with important macroeconomic concepts, indicators, and relations, and to give students insights into macroeconomic theories (with corresponding empirical knowledge) of long-run economic growth processes, structural unemployment, inflation and other nominal variables, and business cycles. Another goal is to equip students with sufficient knowledge to understand theories and macroeconomic models that explain how fiscal and monetary policy, such as inflation targeting, can be used to influence the macroeconomy. Acquired knowledge After taking this course you should be able to understand and explain important macroeconomic concepts, indicators and the most common policy targets and instruments of fiscal and monetary policy in advanced economies. You are expected to understand the crucial distinction between real and nominal variables and concepts. You should also be able to distinguish wrong statements in macroeconomics from correct ones, as well as descriptive statements from normative ones. You should also have acquired a good overview of macroeconomic relations and empirical knowledge. Finally, you should understand the logical structure of basic macroeconomic growth models and elementary models of business cycles and inflation. Acquired skills After taking this course you should be able to find relevant economic data and indicators from respectable data sources in order to describe the macroeconomic situation and recent history of a particular country. You should also be able to decide which macroeconomic theory or model that is most relevant for a particular policy issue. Finally, you should be able to apply basic models of long-run growth, business cycles and inflation to draw logical conclusions about the effects of changes in crucial parameters and policy instruments. Reflection After taking this course you should be ethically conscious about the conficts of interest and inherent goal conflicts and trade-offs in macroeconomic policy. You should be able to look at a macroeconomic policy issue from different perspectives in regard to the interests of different groups in society. You should also have developed a critical attitude making you conscious of the difference between political ambitions behind announcements of goals and the real effects of macroeconomic policies in practice. Prerequisites None. Compulsory reading Books: Burda, Michael and Charles Wyplosz. 2009. Macroeconomics : a European text. 5th ed. Oxford University Press. Ch. 1-15,17 (403 pages in all). Recommended reading Journals: OECD. 2011. "General assessment of the macroeconomic situation". OECD Economic Literature. 2. OECD. 9-67/ Ch.1. Recommended reading Course outline
Computer-based tools No specified computer-based tools are requested. Learning process and workload An important part of the learning process is lectures in class. Coursework requirements (assignments) Seven sets of coursework requirements will be posted in It's learning. In order to attend the final exam students have to receive passing marks for at least five of these seven assignments. Information about deadlines will be given at the start of the term. Answers to the work requirements should be posted electronically through It's learning. Feed-back wil be given in class.
Coursework requirements There will be seven sets of assignments, of which students must get apporved 5. See learning process and workload. Examination A three- hour individual written exam concludes the course. Examination code(s) EXC 35251 - Written exam. Acounts for 100 % of the final grade in EXC 3525 Macroeconomics 7,5 credits. Examination support materials Calculator TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BA II Plus™ is permitted. One bilingual dictionary may also be used at written examiniations. Support materials permitted at written examiniations are explained under exam information in our web-based Student handbook. Please note use of calculator and dictionary. http://www.bi.edu/studenthandbook/examaids Re-sit examination A re-sit examination is possible every term. Students who have not got approved five of the seven assignments must retake the assignments at the next scheduled course. Students that have not passed the written exam or who wish to improve their grade must retake the exam in connection with the next scheduled examination. Additional information |
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