00256 - Economics (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the teaching activities, students will have learned the major micro-and macro-economic models and
national accounting, acquired knowledge to interpret the debate on the functioning of the Italian and European
economic systems and the main economic policy proposals. In addition, they will have acquired the ability to understand
the main problems of economic development, those arising in the less developed regions of economically advanced and
developing countries, as well as the principles of comparison needed to evaluate the measures of international
cooperation. They will learn how to orient themselves in the use of basic bibliographical tools, knowing terminology and
methods used in the economic analysis and how to adress the key issues and critically approach the texts.

Course contents

Those students who are required to take the exam of Economics are asked to follow the program of the current year.

The course addresses the following contents.
Introduction
Consumer theory and market demand
Firm and theory of production
Goods and factors markets in perfect competition
Markets failures
Non perfect competition markets
Welfare economics
Main macroeconomic variables and national accounts
Markets for goods and services and GDP equilibrium level
IS-LM model
Aggragate demand and supply model (AD-AS)
Wages and employment in non perfect competition
Open economic systems
International trade

During the semester lectures for deepening specific themes, classes for brush up on and exercise will take place. They will be integrant part of the teaching programme and of the exa.

Readings/Bibliography

(1) G. ANTONELLI, N. DE LISO, G. GUIDETTI, R. LEONCINI, G. VITTUCCI MARZETTI and L. ZAMPARINI, Economia ,
Torino, Giappichelli, Fifth edition, 2019.
Chapters to be studied for the exam are the following: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
(2) R. LEONCINI, M. MACALUSO and G. PEDRINI, Economia. Quesiti, Giappichelli, Torino, Fourth edition, 2019.

Teaching methods

Learning economics requires the use of minimal analytical instruments, like the capacity to read graphics and to
understand simple functions and equations. However, it is important to understand that the course does not require
preliminary notions of mathematics. All the notions relevant for understanding the formal concepts (functions, graphics,
etc.) are provided in the initial lectures.
Experience suggests that it is highly relevant for success in the exam to regularly attend the lectures and to take the
exam soon after the end of the lectures. Therefore, studenta are strongly advised not to postpone the exam in their
curriculum.

Assessment methods

Exams aims at evaluating the capacity by the students to reach the following teaching goals:

knowledge of the main micro-and macro-economic models and the main topics of national accounts presented during the lectures

ability to use these tools in order to interpret the debate on the functioning of the Italian and European economic systems and the main economic policy proposals

understanding of the main problems of economic development, in the less developed regions of economically advanced and developing countries, and of the principles of comparison needed to evaluate the measures of international cooperation

ability to orient in the use of basic bibliographic tools, knowing the terminology and methods used in the economic analysis, the methods of argumentation and critical approach to the texts.

The examination consists of two parts (a written test and an oral examination) and provides an assessment of the students on a 30 marks basis. In order to take the oral exam, and achieve the final grade, students must pass the written test with a minimum score of 18/30.

In the written test students must answer three types of questions: multiple choice questions; questions true or false, open-ended questions with a limited number of words. In the oral examination students will answer questions about their mistakes in the written test, about the final parts of the program and about those parts of the program that the students will have to prepare depending on the number of CFU and depending on whether they are attending or not attending the lectures (see below).

The written exam is usually held at the new premises of via Belmeloro 14. The exams are strictly individual and to this end all incidents of misconduct will be severely punished. Unless otherwise indicated, the oral examination is held in Palazzo Malvezzi, Via Zamboni 22. The information on the dates and venues of the exams are available in advance. However, they can be changed at the last minute for reasons of force majeure. Therefore, it is necessary for students to be alert. The offices are the custodians of this information, and the lecturers themselves may be unaware of last minute changes. It is best, therefore, always refer to these offices (Palazzo Malvezzi). In order to register for the exam , there is a special office at Palazzo Malvezzi: lecturers can not be of help to solve this kind of problems.

The examination program for students attending the course is different from that for non-attending students. Are considered as attending those students who: (a) will be enrolled in the relevant mailing lists; (b) will take the intermediate written tests reserved for them, and will pass it; (c) will be able to answer questions relating to specific issues/topics addressed during the course; (d) if they have to undergo the written exame this will be done in the first session of exams available. Only those students who will take these intermediate written tests and will attend, with regularity, all the lectures will benefit from reductions in the study materials provided for attending students. Not attending classes is therefore counterproductive, while a frequency and careful study "time-to-time" are the best strategy to deal with the examination.

Teaching tools

Teacher asks students to indicate directly during lectures, through written messages and e-mails the topics they have
problems understanding. He will take this into account in setting future lectures.
At the end of each class, the lecturer will remain available in the classroom to discuss with students the problems they
encountered. With the help of the tutors, parts of the program could also be revised by the students during the
communicated office hours.
E-mail is typically used for short clarifications and explanations.
Still with the help of the tutors, tutorials are organized for providing the solution of written questions previously
provided to students and to re-explain parts of the program which turned out to be not clear.

Office hours

See the website of Gilberto Antonelli