Not available in 2020/21
EC2B5      Half Unit
Macroeconomics II

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

To be confirmed. 

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History, BSc in Environment and Development and BSc in International Relations. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Course content

This course builds on the knowledge you acquired in Macroeconomics I (EC1B5). We will use macroeconomic analysis to explore important contemporary questions and special emphasis is given to how economic policy can change economic outcomes. You will learn how to understand economic problems by focusing on the key characteristics, choosing the relevant mechanisms and developing a solid intuition.

Precise topics and readings will be announced and are selected to be of current interest. Recent topics included Why did the UK government grant independence to the Bank of England in 1997 and adopt an inflation target?; What caused the global financial crisis and how can policy prevent future crises?; How was global financial regulation reformed in the aftermath of the crisis?; What unconventional tools of monetary policy did central banks implement?; What causes currency crises, how can policy prevent them and what sparked the Trump trade war?; Why has the US been a more successful currency union than the Eurozone, what caused the European sovereign debt crisis and how is it related to Brexit?; How should governments deal with a debt crisis - did Greece make the right choice?; What drives convergence in income levels across countries, why do some countries stay poor and what can policy do about it?

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT.

Formative coursework

There are weekly assignments and feedback will be given on two.

Indicative reading

There is no set course textbook because of the topical nature of the applications chosen. A list of selected texts and readings will be provided at the start of term given the topical nature of the topics.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2019/20: Unavailable

Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable

Capped 2019/20: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills