EC100     
Economics A

This information is for the 2016/17 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Alan Manning 32L 2.36A

Dr L. Rachel Ngai  32L 1.15

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Actuarial Science, BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics, BSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, BSc in Economic History, BSc in Economic History with Economics, BSc in Economics, BSc in Economics and Economic History, BSc in Economics with Economic History, BSc in Environment and Development, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Geography with Economics, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in International Relations, BSc in Management, BSc in Mathematics and Economics, BSc in Mathematics with Economics, BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Social Policy, BSc in Social Policy and Economics and BSc in Statistics with Finance. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

This is an introductory course in microeconomics and macroeconomics. It may not be taken if Economics B (EC102) has already been taken and passed. No previous knowledge of economics is assumed. The treatment will be non-mathematical, but students are expected to be able to interpret graphs. Entrance on to EC100 and EC102 is dependent on Economics A-level or equivalent background. Students with A-level economics (or equivalent) are not allowed to take EC100.

Course content

This course provides a foundation in micro and macroeconomics, primarily to those without background in the subject. Microeconomics is the focus of Michaelmas Term: This term aims to provide students with methods of economic analysis that can enable them to think about when markets work well, when they are likely to fail and what policies might improve outcomes. Macroeconomics is the focus of Lent Term, which covers topics such as economic growth, unemployment, inflation, monetary & fiscal policy, and international macroeconomics.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT.

Handouts of the slides are distributed.

Formative coursework

Weekly collective feedback is given on the multiple choice questions which form the weekly quizzes, and are 50% of the examination.  Individual written feedback is given on one essay question per term.

Indicative reading

Daron Acemoglu, David Laibson and John List (2016) Economics, Pearson Education.

Assessment

Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the LT week 0.
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.

The Lent term examination is based on the Michaelmas term syllabus, and the Summer exam on the Lent term syllabus.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2015/16: 350

Average class size 2015/16: 15

Capped 2015/16: No

Lecture capture used 2015/16: Yes (MT & LT)

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving

Course survey results

(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 91%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

2.6

Materials (Q2.3)

2.3

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

2.2

Lectures (Q2.5)

2.3

Integration (Q2.6)

2.3

Contact (Q2.7)

2.5

Feedback (Q2.8)

2.8

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

56%

Maybe

37%

No

7%