08795 - Macroeconomics

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 and long run issues

• Introduction
• Data and national Accounts (2 lectures)
• Growth (3 lect.)
• Labour Markets( 2 lect.)
• Money Prices and Exchange Rates in the Long Run.

B. Macroeconomic equilibrium from the short to the long run

• Budget constraints (2 lect.)
• Consumption and Investments
• Money and Monetary Policy
• Equilibrium in the Short Run
• Capital Flows and Equilibrium
• Supply, Unemployment, Inflation (2 lect.)
• Aggregate Demand and Supply (2 lect.)

C. Macro policies and institutions

• Demand Policies
• Fiscal Policies and Government Debts
• Supply Policies
• International Monetary System
• The EU and the Internal Market. Enlargement
• EMU, the euro and the crisis.

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, 2014.

Teaching methods

There will be 25 two-hour lectures, and 6 exercise classes.

Lectures and exercise classes are supported by presentations.

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.
• There will be three written (intermediate) exams plus one final exam.
• Each exam includes 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. It is possible to answer in English.

For students not attending lectures:

• A single written exam, on the whole syllabus, lasting about 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 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.

Links to further information

http://macroeconomia-sid-forli.weebly.com/

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Rovelli