| Unit name | Topics in Applied Economics A |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ECON30007 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Proud |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
OR
OR |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
ECON30008: Topics in Applied Economics B |
| School/department | School of Economics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Being able to analyse, interpret and evaluate research is a key skill for an economist, along with the ability to communicate the results of that research. This unit provides students with the opportunity to answer key economic questions, based on applied research, building upon the economic theory and econometrics cornerstones of years 1 and 2.
You will have the opportunity to learn about, and deliver arguments about key policy-relevant issues, and communicate these through both class discussion and assignments.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit acts as a partial capstone unit, building on the cornerstones of your first two years of study. The unit requires you to use economic theoretical concepts learned in the first two years of the degree to analyse current questions from the perspective of an economist. In all cases you will need to use the econometrics skills learned in the second year to analye and evaluate empirical studies. Questions are usually multi-faceted so you will also need to compare and evaluate a range of different opinions using different sources.
Overview of content
The unit will be split into a number of themes, built around individual topics, with some emphasis on the UK economy and UK policy. Typically, there will be about six topics, split across two key themes.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of this unit?
Students will develop the multi-faceted skills expected of an economist (quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, etc) to answer a contemporary question. They will develop skills of analysis and synthesis of economic methods, and will have the opportunity to develop independent (literature-based) research skills through studying selected topics in depth and detail.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of large and small group classes, supported by online resources
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Students will be asked to prepare an assignment plan in advance of the 2,000 word assignment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
When assessment does not go to plan
Normally, there are no opportunities for reassessment in final-year units. Where students are taking this unit as a non final-year unit (such as an MSci), or where there are validated exceptional circumstances:
If students fail the unit such that credit points cannot be awarded at the first attempt, they will be given a reassessment to replace the failed element(s).
These elements will be;
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ECON30007).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
