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00256 - Introductory Economics

Academic Year 2025/2026

                
                        Docente:
                        Tito Pietra
                    
                        Credits:
                        9
                    
                        SSD:
                        SECS-P/01
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        Traditional lectures
                        
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            First cycle degree programme (L) in
                            Languages, Markets and Cultures of Asia and Mediterranean Africa (cod. 6603)

                                    Course Timetable
                                
from Feb 09, 2026 to May 13, 2026

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a basic knowledge of the principles, methods and analytical tools of economics. The student also knows the fundamentals of microeconomics (consumer theory, theory of the firm, demand and supply, market structures) and of macroeconomics (production/income/national accouns, inputs markets, money and financial markets). These analytical methods and principles are then applied to the study of some of the most relevant phenomena characterizing East Asian economies, and, specifically, the economy of the People Republic of China.

Course contents

INTRODUCTORY ECONOMICS:

A. Microeconomics

Basic concepts (ch. 1-3)
Competition and efficiency (ch. 4-8)
Market failures (ch. 9-14)
International trade (ch. 15-16)

B. Macroeconomics

Basic concepts and data (ch. 17-20)
The economy in the long run (ch. 21-22)
International economics (ch. 31-32)

Detailed versions of the program for the final test will be made available at the end of the classes

Readings/Bibliography

Frank, R.H., Bernanke, B.S., Antonovics, K., et alii, Principi di economia 5/ed, McGraw Hill, 2022

Copies of past exams are available in the course's page in Virtuale.

The slides used inclass are available in the course's page in Virtuale

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures

Assessment methods

The test will be written and it will be administered in the classroom

If you will want to refuse the final grade (you can do it at most once), you will have to send me by e-mail within one or two days

Teaching tools

Class attendance is not required. However, you are strongly encouraged to attend them.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination

If you need to ask for a special kind of exam (more time, maps et so on), you must request it at least 15 days before the exam, sending a mail to me and, in cc, to disabilita@unibo.it[mailto:disabilita@unibo.it] (in the case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it [mailto:dsa@unibo.it] (for students with SLD)."

Office hours

See the website of Tito Pietra