Aims

To develop in students an appreciation of the usefulness of basic economic principles in a variety of applied contexts.
To deepen students’ understanding of economic theories by applying them to questions of current interest.
To develop in students an understanding of current economic issues, how economists approach them, and what options policy makers have to deal with them.

Outline Of Syllabus

Applications of economic theories with an emphasis on rational choice and with a preference for topics of current economic/political relevance.

Topics for the applications will be drawn from various subfields such as:

• Demographic Change
• Labour Markets
• Health, Education and Welfare
• Industrial Structure, Productivity and Trade
• Competition and Control
• Taxation, Government Spending and Borrowing
• Banking and Finance
• Consumer Behaviour

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are intended to provide a broad overview of the main features of the topics. They will also be used to demonstrate how to approach applied problems using economic theory. Seminars allow students to apply these techniques thus practising their problem-solving and analytical skills. Private study provides opportunity for students to monitor their own progress through problem solving and discussions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment is designed to test students’ ability to apply economic reasoning, to communicate economics and to make coherent arguments.