module specification

This module develops students’ knowledge of intermediate macroeconomics, by examining topics such as the determinants of long-run economic growth; business cycles (including a review of post-war macroeconomic thinking); fiscal policy; monetary policy; and open-economy issues. In the process, students will become familiar with more specialised issues such as the sovereign debt crisis, the recent financial crisis (2007-10) and the eurozone crisis, associated policy options and dilemmas.

Level 4 Macroeconomics module or equivalent

The module aims to provide students with:

1. an understanding and explanation of  the main aggregative frameworks in macroeconomics.
2. knowledge of the processes in macroeconomics and the framework available for understanding them.
3. an ability to apply economic principles and analysis in a variety of contexts including business and government;
4. a range of transferable and subject-specific skills that will be of value in terms of providing relevant policy advice.
5. The module also aims to develop students' skills, in particular: self assessment and reflection; interpersonal and team-working; academic study skills; literacy; communication, including oral presentation; applied analysis; data analysis; quantitative analysis; IT; and self-assessment and reflection.

The Long Run – Solow Model, role of technical progress, determinants of technical progress.
Brief history of post-war macroeconomic thinking on business cycles and stabilisation policy;
Fiscal policy and government debt;
The modern monetary policy architecture;
The financial crisis in 2007 – 2010;
Open economy macroeconomics: fixed exchange rate versus flexible exchange and the euro.

Students’ learning is organised around direct contact time with the teaching team, and refective independent learning. The direct contact time takes place through lectures and seminars. Students are expected to complement this 'formal' learning activity with further reading of the material suggested in the teaching sessions, solving realistic macroeconomic problems using economic analysis, research, writing, planning and preparation for group presentations, class tests, and the final exam.

Student contact time is normally 3 hours per week. Lectures are typically of 2 hours duration and deliver core subject knowledge in macroeconomics, but also provide time for interactive workshops.  The module emphasises the development of macroeconomic theory and its application, with a view to enabling students become conversant with macroeconomic processes as well as different views of stabilisation policy.

Seminars are typically 1 hour in duration and emphasise the solution of macroeconomic problems based on topics given in the lecture. The emphasis is on student participation and students are expected to work in groups. The module develops students’ ability to think as policy advisers by providing sessions on the application of macroeconomic policy. These sessions enhance students’ ability to provide an economic interpretation of empirical findings, analyse policy debates and develop peer learning through participation and collaboration. 

Inititative and independence are developed through the module so that students are required to take greater responsibility for their work. Professional and transferable skills are developed in lectures and seminars and reinforced through independent directed learning and assessment. Module learning activities will enable the students develop  analytical, communication, presentation, problem solving, collaboration practised in group workshops and team work through group presentations. 

Graduate career development is also examined and practical guidance provided with support from the University careers service. The development of career awareness is promoted within the module by introducing students to career development opportunities such as, internships and work experience, job search techniques, employer recruitment strategies, self-presentation together with a review of skills sought by prospective employers. Written presentation including CVs and personal statements, networking, job application, interviews, and inter-cultural communication are also discussed.

The module makes extensive use of blended learning  through use of virtual learning environment platforms (WebLearn, Publisher E-resources) where module lecture material, course handbooks,test questions, previous assessment with feedback, and other material are made available.  Other ICT resources include links to key web resources such as Government departments, and institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, OECD and ESDS.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. understand verbal, graphical and mathematical representations of  key macroeconomic concepts and theories;
2. link theoretical and analytical skills in macroeconomics to practice in business,  government and other organisations;
3. be competent communicators of the processes in macroeconomics as well as the effects of stabilization policies  through written and oral expositions;
4. interpret and present economic and financial information effectively in a variety of contexts, using up-to-date statistical and modelling tools and appropriate software;
5. demonstrate life and career development awareness, including vision and personal awareness, presentation, and development.

Students will be assessed by a group presentation (with artefacts), an in-class test and an unseen examination.

Group Presentation (20% of overall mark): Students are required to participate in a small group presentation (consisting of 2-3 students), in which they present one seminar problem.
At the end of the presentation, each individual in the group is required to produce a written statement summarising its content and critically reflecting on the experience of giving the group presentation.

In-class Test (30% of overall mark): Students are required to take one short in-class test. The test is based on all the material covered in lectures and seminars.

Unseen Exam (50% of overall mark). At the end of the module students are required to take a 1.5 hour unseen written examination. The exam paper tests the student's knowledge, and their ability to show the scope and depth of their knowledge in macroeconomics and provide solutions to technical questions.

Blanchard, Olivier; Amighini Alessia and Giavazzi, Francesco(2011).  Macroeconomics: A European Perspective, Pearson Education Limited.
Blanchard, Olivier. (2009). Macroeconomics , 5th ed., Pearson International Education.
Mankiw, N. Gregory  (2011) Macroeconomics, 7th ed., Worth Publishers.
Abel, B. and Bernanke, Ben and Croushore, Dean (2010). Macroeconomics, Global edition.
M. Burda and C. Wyplosz(2009). Macroeconomics: A European text, 5th revised edition, Oxford University Press.
J. Brad DeLong (2009). Macroeconomics, 2nd revised edition, McGraw-Hill Education-Europe.