Unit information: Applied Economics: Current Economic Problems in 2020/21

Unit name	Applied Economics: Current Economic Problems
Unit code	ECON30065
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Proud
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EFIM20033 Intermediate Microeconomics AND EFIM20034 Intermediate Macroeconomics AND EFIM20011 Econometrics 1 OR EFIM20038 Microeconomic Analysis AND EFIM20037 Macroeconomic Analysis AND EFIM20010 Applied Quantitative Research Methods
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Economics
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit considers various economic topics of contemporary interest, with an emphasis on the UK economy and UK economic policy. There would typically be about six topics and about two of these would change every year: there will be a mix of macroeconomic and microeconomic topics. You will be expected to study all six topics in the unit but will not have to study each one in the same level of detail: instead you should concentrate on three topics to study in depth.

The unit requires you to use economic theoretical concepts learned in the first two years of the degree to analyse current questions from the perspective of an economist. In all cases you will need to use the econometrics skills learned in the second year to analye and evaluate empirical studies. Questions are usually multi-faceted so you will also need to compare and evaluate a range of different opinions using different sources.

Unit aims:

• To get students to bring together the multi-faceted skills expected of an economist (quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, etc.) to address a contemporary question.

• To provide students with practice in analysis and synthesis of economic methods.

• To allow students to study select topics in depth and detail.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Apply economic theoretical techniques to concrete economic questions.
2. Describe and summarise material from a range of sources.
3. Evaluate differing and possibly contradictory theories and sources of information.
4. Combine (1), (2) and (3) in a holistic way.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions such as online teaching for large and small group, face-to-face small group classes (where possible) and interactive learning activities

Assessment Information

2 x 2,000 word written pieces of work (Each piece contributes 50%)

Reading and References

The reading material changes with the topic. For any topic students would not be expected to use a textbook but to synthesise material from a range of sources (books, articles in learned journals, discussion papers, government publications).