Macroeconomics
| Module title | Macroeconomics |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEEM100 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Sebastian Merkel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
Summary:
By the end of the module you should be able to manipulate a number of theoretical models to analyse key contemporary macroeconomic issues, such as how exchange rates are determined, what influences inflation and the business cycle, and how macroeconomic policy can improve welfare.
Additional Information: Sustainability
All of the problem sets can be downloaded from the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).
Employability
Previous students have successfully found jobs in centres that deal with current trends in economic activity and government institutions, such as central banks. It is also a necessary module for anyone who wish to continue education and get a PhD degree from a good university.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module explores the core areas of modern macroeconomics. The aim is to develop understanding of macroeconomic models from microfoundations, as it becomes increasingly necessary in contemporary approach. The emphasis will be on learning theoretical concepts and analytical techniques, as an aide to understanding contemporary macroeconomic problems.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. the ability to manipulate a number of theoretical models to analyse macroeconomic issues, with national and global applications.
- 2. the ability to understand macroeconomic articles in academic journals.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. an ability, appropriate to master's level, to formulate and manipulate economic models of any kind
- 4. an ability to place an economic problem in its broader social and political context
- 5. an understanding of the sources and content of economic data and evidence and of those methods that might be applied appropriately to the analysis of such data
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. confidence in identifying, tackling and solving research problems
- 7. development of logical thinking and analytical rigor
- 8. inductive and deductive reasoning skills
- 9. the ability to work independently
Syllabus plan
The module covers the following topics:
1. Consumption-savings Choice under Certainty and Determination of the Interest Rate
2. Consumption-savings-portfolio Choice under Uncertainty and Asset Pricing
3. Capital Accumulation and Growth
4. Labor Supply and Real Business Cycle Theory
5. [optional, as time permits] Money, Prices, and Nominal Assets
6. [optional, as time permits] Nominal Rigidity and New-Keynesian Economics
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contact hours | 22 | Lectures |
| 5 | Seminars |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional problem set will be given for homework | 1-4 problems per seminar | 1-9 | Oral, in seminars |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 80 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 80 | 3 hours | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Coursework | 20 | Problem set | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework (Problem Set) | Problem Set (20%) 1-4 questions approx | 1-9 | July/August |
| Written Examination | Written Examination (80%) 3 hours | 1-9 | August |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
This module does not closely follow a single textbook. Main readings are selected chapters from the following two textbooks:
1. Sargent, T. and L. Ljungqvist (2018) Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, 4th Edition, MIT Press
2. Romer, D. (2019) Advanced Macroeconomics, 5th Edition, McGraw Hill
Where the textbooks are unsuitable, additional reading materials will be distributed to course participants.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BEEM103 (BEEM101 recommended) |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 03/09/2007 |
| Last revision date | 05/01/2022 |
