Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Introduction to Economy
Other languages of instruction: Catalan
Teaching staff
To be agreed with the students.
Introduction
Having some basic concepts of Economics is essential to have a complete vision of society and to be able to understand some of the main problems it faces. Economics, as a social science and a human activity, has its own justification in a humanistic studies program.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisites are required to take the course, except to understand Spanish language.
Objectives
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the basic knowledge of economics. The approach of the course is conceived in such a way that the student, without any previous knowledge, will come to understand the object of study of economics, the basic functioning of markets, the main problems, tools and economic policies of the functioning of the economy of a society. At the same time, the student is introduced to the main problems of globalization and the world of business management.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- E02 - Ability to use methods and techniques specific to human sciences.
- E26 - Ability to read and write texts in one's own language and other languages, as well as transcribe, summarise and categorise pertinent information.
- G01 - To analyse and interpret social and cultural environments to identify need, opportunities, weaknesses and strenghts..
- G02 - To lead, cooordinate and form part of interdisciplinary work teams.
- G07 - To know how to apply and adapt to new technologies in processes of cultural management, production and dissemination.
- G11 - Ability to work in an international context.
Syllabus
The course, after an introductory topic, is structured in three parts or thematic blocks:
-Microeconomics.
-Macroeconomics.
-Business Management.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | COMPETENCES |
| Practical lesson (case anaylsis, visits, use of ICTs, etc.) Theory-lecture class Seminars and workshops (text analysis, debates, sessions with specialists, oral project presentations, etc.) | E24 G02 G03 G04 G07 G10 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The course will be evaluated on the basis of two basic elements: continuous evaluation (CE), which is worth 15% of the final grade; and partial exams (EP), which are worth the remaining 85%.
There will be between 3 and 5 partial exams, which are released matèria. In case of failing a midterm, the student will take the final exam (FE) of the part or parts that were failed or not presented.
The Continuous Evaluation (CE) includes all the small deliveries that are ordered during the course, attendances, as well as the "control of reading" of the book of obligatory reading.
An attendance to the classes lower than 70% of the foreseen ones can imply the qualification of "not presented", exhausting call.
By indication of the dean's office, each spelling mistake in a written exam, paper or assignment deducts 0.1 points from the grade of the exam, paper or assignment. This does not apply to non-Spanish speaking students.
Note-1: In order to pass the course it is necessary to pass the "reading control" test of the compulsory reading book, so that those who fail it will have to repeat it in oral format. In case of failing the test, the student will be given additional material that can be evaluated in the final exam (EF).
Configuration of the final grade of the subject:
1. For those who release/pass all partial exams:
15%: the average grade of the EC (provided that the "reading control" has been passed. Otherwise, see Note-1).
85%: the average grade of the midterm exams passed.
2. Those who fail a midterm:
15%: the average grade of the EC (provided that the "reading control" has been passed. Otherwise, see Note-1).
85%: the average grade between: "the grades of the passed mid-term exams and the grade of the repeated mid-term exams in the EF".
Second call:
In case of failing the subject, the second call always includes all the course material, regardless of having released/approved some partial/s.
The work that has been proposed during the course must be handed in in order to be able to access the second round. It is not possible to pass this exam without having passed the course deliveries, if any.
In case of not having passed the obligatory "reading control" during the course: the student will be given additional material that can be evaluated in the final exam of the second round.
Bibliography and resources
Bibliographic material will be provided to the students during the classes.
However, we highlight these references:
-Mankiw, N.G. 2006. Principios de Economía. Cenage Learning Editores, México.
-Pastor, A. 2009. La ciencia humilde: Economía para ciudadanos. Editorial Crítica, Barcelona.
The compulsory reading book on which the "reading control" will be carried out is:
-Ariño, M.A. y Maella, P. 2009. Iceberg a la vista: principios para tomar decisiones sin hundirse. Empresa Activa, Barcelona.