Subject

Macroeconomics 1

  • code 10309
  • course 1
  • term Semester 2
  • type FB
  • credits 6

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: English

If the student is enrolled for the English track then classes for that subject will be taught in the same language.

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dr. Pedro GARCÍA - pgarcia@uic.es

Office hours

- Pedro García del Barrio (pgarcia@uic.es)
Office hours: Tuesdays, 12:00 to 13:30 (or at any time, having been contacted previously by e-mail).

- Josep Faja Pijuan (jfaja@uic.es)
Office hours: Wednesdays, 08:30 to 10:00 (or at any time, having been contacted previously by e-mail).

Introduction

 

Individuals involved in business must become familiar with the macroeconomic environment in which they work. Although there are no infallible guidelines in decision-making, professionals aspire to have the best available information about macroeconomic indicators and the general economic situation.


Pre-course requirements

 

There are not previous requirements.

 

Objectives

 

The purpose of this module is to make students familiar with the manner in which economies as a whole operate. Using the specific tools of economic theory, the course covers some of the most important macroeconomic models. The different topics are approached in the way in which economists typically analyse economic facts and policies. The programme includes the main issues drawing the attention of today’s policy makers: unemployment, inflation, economic growth, etc.


Competences / Learning outcomes of the degree programme

By competences we mean the personal abilities that lead to excellent performance of the works and undertakings carried out in a specific organisation. The different competences manifest themselves in normal daily activities, allowing the tasks that have been entrusted to be carried out successfully. Given that we are not talking of theoretical knowledge but personal skills, competences are therefore something complementary to professional wisdom. Typically, competences demand from the individuals an active and consistent effort.

  • 10 - To identify long-term economic growth factors and understand the impact of globalisation.
  • 21 - To be familiar with the main theories in the fields of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
  • 23 - To be familiar with and know how to use microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis terminology.
  • 24 - To be able to carry out a financial, social and historical analysis of the environment in which a company operates.
  • 27 - To be able to read and understand literature on economic and business issues.
  • 31 - To develop the ability to identify and interpret numerical data.
  • 32 - To acquire problem solving skills based on quantitative and qualitative information.
  • 34 - To develop the ability to predict situations and anticipate events, as well as be able to recognise and interpret an economic situation within a specific context.
  • 50 - To acquire the ability to relate concepts, analyse and synthesise.
  • 52 - To develop interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
  • 53 - To acquire the skills necessary to learn autonomously.
  • 54 - To be able to express one’s ideas and formulate arguments in a logical and coherent way, both verbally and in writing.
  • 56 - To be able to create arguments which are conducive to critical and self-critical thinking.
  • 57 - To acquire skills which favour reading comprehension.
  • 58 - To be able to develop self-assessment exercises.
  • 62 - To acquire mechanisms that facilitate the adoption of ethical commitments.
  • 64 - To be able to plan and organise one's work.
  • 67 - To be able to express oneself in other languages.
  • 68 - To develop mechanisms that encourage sensitivity towards social welfare issues.

Learning outcomes of the subject

The skills pursued in this course include:

• Capacity to summarise and analyse information. In business, individuals must be able to analyse ideas, theories, models and problems in order to reveal the main findings and arguments behind the available information, which is often complex or too general. Similarly, students should learn to summarise information on the basis of pre-established goals and criteria.

• Time management skills. Economic analysis teaches us how important it is to manage scarce resources correctly. In particular, there is usually a shortage of time to be allocated to different activities depending on a ranking of priorities. In order to be successful in the time allocation process, it is crucial not to confuse important issues with other tasks demanding an urgent solution.

• Familiarity with data and information management. The ability to identify the most relevant issues, while disregarding meaningless information, is as important as it is infrequent. Individuals should learn to properly use information in order to make good decisions aimed at achieving the goals and targets previously set.

• Communication skills. The success of a particular endeavour may depend on how effectively (clearness, accuracy, precision, etc.) information is expressed. It is also desirable to be familiar with the attitudes that are appropriate when being discussed: elegance, attention, respect, use of congruent arguments, etc.

 

Syllabus

 Part I. Introduction

Chapter 1. Basic Macroeconomic Concepts (Mankiw, ch. 2 and 3) 

    1.1.  The methodology of economic theory

    1.2.  Theory of the national income

    1.3.  Macro magnitudes and their calculation


Part II. The Economy in the Long Run

Chapter 2. Labour Market and Unemployment (Mankiw, ch. 6) 

    2.1.  The concept and measurement of unemployment.

    2.2.  Types of unemployment and its causes

    2.3.  Main labour market indicators and per capita income

Chapter 3. Money and Prices (Mankiw, ch. 4 and 18) 

    3.1.  Concept and functions of money

    3.2.  Monetary supply, money multiplier and the role of the central bank

    3.3.  The Fisher equation and quantitative theory

    3.4.  Measurement, causes and costs inflation

    3.5.  Main financial markets

Chapter 4. Economic Growth (Mankiw, ch. 7 and 8) 

    4.1.  Neoclassical theory and the golden rule

    4.2.  Technological progress and the Solow model

    4.3.  Endogenous growth theory

    4.4. Growth and economic progress


Part III. Short Run Economy

Chapter 5. Main Schools of Macroeconomic Thought (Mank, ch. 9, 10, 13)

    5.1.  Fundamentals of the classical model and Say’s law

    5.2.  Quantitative theory and aggregate demand

    5.3.  The basic Keynesian model and the principle of effective demand

Chapter 6. The IS-LM Model in a Closed Economy (Mankiw, ch. 10 and 11) 

    6.1.  The goods and services market and the IS curve

    6.2.  The money market and the LM curve

    6.3.  Determining the aggregate demand function

Chapter 7. Macroeconomic Policy Debates (Mankiw, ch. 9 and 14) 

    7.1.  Keynesian-neoclassical synthesis

    7.2.  Aggregate supply in the short and long run

    7.3.  Fiscal policy, multipliers and the crowding-out effect

    7.4.  Goals and instruments of monetary economic policy

Chapter 8. Inflation and Expectations (Mankiw, ch. 13) 

    8.1.  Unemployment, inflation and the short run Phillips curve

    8.2.  The role of expectations and the long run Phillips curve

    8.3.  Natural unemployment rate and supply side policies

 

 

 

Teaching and learning activities

In person

 

Like any other discipline within the field of economic theory, macroeconomics must be studied gradually. In the learning process, comprehension and analytical skills are more important than memorising facts. Experience leads us to conclude that students who work on a regular basis get the best results. In accordance with that, the evaluation method adopted requires lecture attendance and encourages students to study consistently.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY

COMPETENCES

lecture

10 21 22 23 27 31 32 34 50 62 68

in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)

21 22 23 24 27 31 32 50 52 53 54 58 64

individual study

10 21 22 23 27 32 50 52 53 54 56 58 64

small group seminars

21 23 27 34 50 52 54 56 64 67

Tutorials

21 23 27 34 50 52 54 56 64 67

solving problems in classroom

21 22 23 24 27 31 32 50 52 53 54 58 64

report presentations & discussions

10 21 22 23 27 32 34 50 52 53 54 56 58 64 67

report presentations

10 21 22 23 27 32 50 52 53 54 56 58 64


TRAINING ACTIVITYCOMPETENCES
magister class
10 21 22 23 27 31 32 34 50 62 68
classroom practice (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays)
21 22 23 24 27 31 32 50 52 53 54 58 64
individual study
10 21 22 23 27 32 50 52 53 54 56 58 64
small group seminars
21 23 27 34 50 52 54 56 64 67
tutorials
21 23 27 34 50 52 54 56 64 67
solving problems at classroom
21 22 23 24 27 31 32 50 52 53 54 58 64
report presentations & discussions
10 21 22 23 27 32 34 50 52 53 54 56 58 64 67
report presentations
10 21 22 23 27 32 50 52 53 54 56 58 64

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

Like any other discipline in the field of economic theory, macroeconomics must be studied gradually. For learning purposes, comprehension and analytical skills are more important than memory. Experience tells us that students who work on a regular basis get the best results.

Therefore, the chosen evaluation system encourages lecture attendance and consistent study, with the final mark composed by three elements:

Continuous evaluation: 20% of the global final mark.

Mid-course examination: (up to) 20% of the global final mark.

Final examination: 60% of the global final mark (or even 80%).

The type of questions to be encountered in the examinations and the procedure for the continuous evaluation will be explained in the lectures. To pass the course, a minimum score of 45/100 on the final examination is required.

 

 EVALUATION SYSTEM

ECTS CREDITS

PERCENTAGE

classroom attendance and participation

 

10

evaluating time management systems (timetable, daily work, exercises delivery)
reports & discussions evaluation

 

10

mid-course examinations

 

20

final examinations

 

60

 

 

 

EVALUATION SYSTEMECTS CREDITSPERCENTAGE
classroom assistance and participation
10
avaluating systems of time management (timetable, daily work, exercises deliverying)
reports & discussions avaluation
10
partial exams
20
final exams
60

Bibliography and resources

Main Textbook:

● Gregory Mankiw (2015), 9th Edition: «Macroeconomics». Worth Publishers, New York. (ISBN-13: 978-1429240024). Spanish version of the 8th Edition: (2014): «Macroeconomía». Antoni Bosch, Barcelona. (ISBN-13: 978-8495348944).

Other References:

  • Rudiger Dornbusch; Stanley Fisher y Richard Startz (2014), 12th Edition: «Macroeconomics». McGraw-Hill Education. (ISBN-13: 978-1259070969). Spanish version of the 10th Edition: (2016): «Macroeconomía». McGraw-Hill Interamericana de España S.L. (ISBN-13: 978-9701069509).
  • Olivier Blanchard (2016), 7th Edition: «Macreconomics». Pearson. (ISBN-13: 978-0133780581). Spanish version of the 5th Edition (2012): «Macroeconomía». Pearson. (ISBN-13: 978-8490355350).
  • William H. Branson (1997), 3rd Edition: «Macreconomic Theory and Policy». Addison Wesley. Spanish version: (1990), 2ª edición: «Teoría y política macroeconómica», Fondo de Cultura Económica, México.
  • José Luis Alvarez Arce (2006), "El idioma de los precios: los pequeños secretos del dinero". CiE Inversiones Editoriales Dossat, Madrid.
  • Pedro García del Barrio (2009), "Entender el mercado de trabajo. ¿Tan difícil es combatir el paro?", CiE Inversiones Editoriales Dossat. Madrid.

Teaching and learning material

      Material
            Evaluation System (in Spanish) sistemaeval.pdf 
            Evaluation System evasystem.pdf 
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