08795 - Macroeconomics (A-L)

Learning outcomes

The course is an introduction to the study of macroeconomics. It covers the main issues, methods, data, concepts and models. Students will be able and motivated to follow and understand the current debates on macroeconomic issues, as they are reported by the qualified press and media. A special focus will be on understanding and debating the appropriateness of the macroeconomic policies adopted in the Great Recession, and the roles of fiscal and monetary policies for the EU members that have adopted the euro. Students will also be prepared to follow more advanced courses on macroeconomic analysis and policies, should they want to do so in their graduate studies.

Course contents

A. Introduction

• Introduction
• Data and national Accounts
• Crash course on Graphs and Functions

B. Long run themes

• Growth
• Labour Markets
• Money Prices and Exchange Rates in the Long Run.

C. The macro model: building blocks

• Budget constraints
• Financial assets and Interest rates
• Consumption and Investments
• Money and Interest Rates
• Institutions and goals of monetary Policy in the EA

D. Equilibrium: From the short to the long run

• A closed economy: equilibrium in the short run
• Short run equilibrium in the open economy and in the EA
• Supply, Unemployment, Inflation
• Aggregate Demand and Supply

E. Macro policies and institutions

• Demand Policies
• Fiscal Policies, Government Debts and Sustainability
• Supply Policies and Policies for the Green Transition

F. (Seminar)

• To be determined

Readings/Bibliography

Files with lecture notes (slides) and exercises are downloadable from the course homepage: http://macroeconomia-sid-forli.weebly.com/

The recommended textbook is M. Burda e C. Wyplosz, "Macroeconomia. Un'analisi europea". Egea, 2019 (3rd ed.)

Teaching methods

There will be about 25 two-hour lectures, and 6 exercise classes, plus a final seminar.

The final seminar or seminars will focus on themes decided during the course.

All the lectures and the exercise classes are supported by presentations (.pptx or .pdf).

Students are requested to download and study the relevant presentation files before each lecture or exercise class.

Assessment methods

For students attending lectures:

• All exams are written and take place online at the information lab (LABIC) 
  
• There will be three written (intermediate) exams plus one final exam.
• Each exam may include multiple choice questions, open-ended questions and a section with graphical or algebraic exercises.
• The final mark is the sum of the marks obtained in the four exams.
• The exam questions will be written in Italian. However it is possible and encouraged to answer in English.

For students not attending lectures:

• A single written exam, on the whole syllabus, lasting up to two hours.

For all students:

• For additional info, see the course description in Italian.

Teaching tools

Lectures and exeercise classes are supported by PC-based presentations in .pptx or occasionally .ptf format, downloadable from the course homepage: http://macroeconomia-sid-forli.weebly.com/

A password will be communicated during the first lecture.

All other information relevant to the course will be posted at the same address.

Office hours

See the website of Nicola Mastrorocco