Module Identifier EC10120  
Module Title ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES AND SKILLS 1  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Professor Andrew Henley  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Mr Nicholas Perdikis  
Co-Requisite MA12610 (unless exempted)  
Mutually Exclusive EC10510  
Course delivery Lecture   22 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   10 Hours  
Assessment Semester Exam   2 Hours   80%  
  Semester Assessment     20%  

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will understand how markets coordinate economic activity and produce equilibrium prices and quantities; how to evaluate market outcomes for policy purposes; and the mutual benefit from trade between individuals and between countries. They will also acquire an understanding of the main determinants of macroeconomic (aggregate) economic activity, its principal measures and how it changes over time. Students will also develop an understanding of the courses of inflation and unemployment.

The module will help students acquire specific transferable skills. By attending lectures students will improve on their optimising behaviour by households and firms, the effects of alternative market structures, and the simple analysis of welfare maximisation. They will also have analysed notes. They will develop their ability to follow arguments and develop their logic and as a result improvie ont heir capacity to see and solve problems. Essay writing and class work will help them to acquire time management, teamwork and presentational skills. Their numeracy will be enhanced by handling quantitative relationships and formulae through use of the library and internet. The learning experience will encourage students to reflect on ideas and thoughts.

Brief description

An introduction to the principles underlying economics: the study of markets and the macroeconomy, for students taking single, major or joint honours Economics.

Content

1. Microeconomics (Professor John Cable)

1.1 Supply and Demand
Demand. Supply. Market Equilibrium. Elasticity.
Reading
Frank & Bernanke Ch 4
Mankiw Chs 4-6
Sloman Chs 2, 3.1 and 3.2
Case et al Chs 4, 5

1.2 Evaluating Market Outcomes
Consumers' and Producers' Surpluses. Efficiency of Market Equilibrium. Welfare Effects of Taxes. Environmental Policy.
Reading
Frank & Bernanke Ch 7
Mankiw Chs 7-8
Sloman Ch 3
Case et al Chs 16, 18

1.3 International Trade
Comparative advantage: specialisation and the gains from trade. Welfare effects of international trade.
Tariffs and quotas. Arguments for protection.
Reading
Frank & Bernanke Ch 3
Mankiw Chs 3, 9
Sloman Ch 23
Case et al Ch 36

2. Macroeconomics (Nick Perdikis)

2.1 Macroeconomic Activity
Overview – measuring economic activity, welfare and GDP, the black economy, economic cycles and business
Reading
Frank & Bernanke Chs 17, 18
Mankiw Ch 22
Sloman Ch 13
Case et al Ch 21

2.2 The Determinants of Economic Activity
Short run aggregate demand and supply
The long run – physical and human capital, natural resources, productivity, the political and legal environment.
Reading
Frank & Bernanke Ch 20
Mankiw Chs 24
Sloman Ch 13, 22
Case et al Ch 21, 22

2.3 Unemployment and inflation
Definitions and measurement, causes and consequences, policies to alleviate unemployment and inflation
Reading
Frank & Bernanke Ch 19
Mankiw Chs 23, 26
Sloman Ch 13
Case et al Ch 22

Reading Lists

Books
N G Mankiw. (2001) Principles of Economics,. 2nd edition. Harcourt
R Frank and B Bernanke. (2001) Principles of Economics. McGraw Hill
J Sloman. (1997) Economics. Prentice Hall
K E Case, R C Fair, M Gartner and K Heather. (1999) Economics. 2nd edition. Prentice Hall