28557 - Economics

Learning outcomes

This course in Economics aims at introducing to the basic principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Starting from the study of the fundamental theoretical models the course should be able to form knowledge and information useful in the interpretation of the current debate on the main themes concerning the functioning of the Italian and European economic systems and the main economic policy recipes. The students should be also able to understand how development issues have to be dealt with in developed as well as developing regions, how to compare them in order to assess international cooperation policies. In order to comply to his aim, they should engage in learning the specialized terminology, develop the basic analytical tools and make use of elementary bibliography.

Course contents

The topics and the chapters order that will be followed is the folowing

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

MICRO

Ch. 1   Economics and the economy

Ch. 2   The tools of economic analysis

Ch. 6   The theory of consumer choice

Ch. 7   Business organization and behaviour

Ch. 8   Developing the theory of supply: Costa and production

Ch. 9   Perfect competition and monopoly: The limiting cases of market structure

Ch. 10 Markets structure and imperfect competition

Ch. 19 Privatization and regulation

Ch. 18 Industrial policy and competition policy

Ch. 16 Introduction to welfare economics (externalities)

Ch. 17 Taxes and government spending

Ch. 3   Demand, supply and the market

Ch. 5   The effect of price and income on demand quantities

 

MACRO

Ch. 20 Introduction to macroeconomics and national income accounting

Ch. 21 The determination of national income

Ch. 22 Aggregate demand, fiscal policy and foreign trade

Ch. 23 Money and modern banking

Ch. 24 Central banking and the monetary system

Ch. 25 Monetary and fiscal policy

Ch. 26 Aggregate supply, the price level, and the speed of adjustment

Ch. 33 International trade and commercial policy

 

Readings/Bibliography

David Begg , Rudiger Dornbusch , Stanley Fischer, Economics , London, McGraw Hill, 2008 (9th edition).

Chapters:

MICRO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18.

MACRO: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33.

Teaching methods

The capability to use basic arithmetical and geometrical tools is required, while very little matematics is used.

The regular attendance of the course is very much suggested.

Assessment methods

The assessment is based on a written and oral examination.

A sufficient mark in the written examination is necessary in order to be admitted to the oral one.

A surprise test will be carried out during the lecture period.

Teaching tools

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

(a) Experimental course

(b) Based on lectures and active interaction

(c) Team work with Professor Riccardo Leoncini, Professor Sandro Montresor and Professor Giovanni Guidetti

(d) Surprise test

Links to further information

http://www.dse.unibo.it - poi digita Persone, Docenti, Gilberto Antonelli

Office hours

See the website of Gilberto Antonelli

See the website of Sandro Montresor

See the website of Riccardo Leoncini