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Economics I

Code: 40095 ECTS Credits: 15
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
4313805 Economic Analysis OB 1

Contact

Name:
Amedeo Stefano Edoardo Piolatto
Email:
amedeo.piolatto@uab.cat

Teachers

Francisco Javier Vila Carnicero
Javier Fernandez Blanco

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

No specific prerequisits


Objectives and Contextualisation

This  module  introduces,  in  a  formal  and  analytical  way,  the  basic  principles  of  microeconomics and macroeconomics.  The  student  learns  how  to  analyze  economic  problems  and  derive  their  implications  using  techniques  and  tools  that  are  typical  of  mathematical  sciences.  Microeconomics  focuses  both  on  consumer  and  production  decision  theory.  Macroeconomics  focuses  on  advanced  analytical  tools  that  are  necessary  for  the  analysis  of  dynamic  problems.   


Competences

  • Capacity to articulate basic economic theory, analytically deriving them from mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptually analyse a specific economic problem using advanced analytical tools
  • Express recommendations about economic policy at macro and micro levels
  • Make independent judgements and defend them dialectically
  • Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context
  • Student should possess the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a way that is largely student led or independent
  • Students should know how to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and final reasoning that they hold in front of specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously
  • Use new technology for the collection and organisation of information to solve problems in professional activities

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of neoclassical assumptions
  2. Frame an economic decision-making question in a simple strategic context in a mathematical problem and derive the answer using mathematical logic
  3. Interpret the modelling of a classical problem, the conclusion deriving from it and its limitations
  4. Make independent judgements and defend them dialectically
  5. Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context
  6. Propose a simple economic problem in an analytical manner
  7. Student should possess the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a way that is largely student led or independent
  8. Students should know how to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and final reasoning that they hold in front of specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously
  9. Use new technology for the collection and organisation of information to solve problems in professional activities

Content

I. Microeconomics

1.     Consumer theory

2.     Choice under uncertainty

3.     Theory of the firm

 

II. Macroeconomics

1.      Deterministic neoclassical growth model

2.      Dynamic programming

3.      Stochastic models

4.      Overlapping generation models

For a detailed description of the content of this module go to https://sites.google.com/view/idea-program/master-program .

 


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Theory classes 112.5 4.5 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Type: Supervised      
Problems sets, tutorials 75 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Type: Autonomous      
Personal study, study groups, textbook readings, article readings 187.5 7.5 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

The course will consist of sessions where the instructor presents the material, and sessions specifically dedicated to problem solving. Students are encouraged to form study groups to discuss assignments and readings.

The proposed methodology may undergo some modifications according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses.

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Class Attendance and Problem sets and assignments 20% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exam Part I 40% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exam Part II 40% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 

 

This modul does not contemplate an evaluation from a single comprehensive exam

  Exam Part I

40%  

 Exam Part II

40%  

Problem  sets,   assignments  & Class  attendance    and    active    participation

20%  

The proposed evaluation activities may undergo some changes according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses. 

 


Bibliography

Microeconomics:

Mas-Colell, A., M. Whinston and J. Green, Microeconomic Theory, Oxford University Press

Jehle, G.A., P. J. Reny, Advanced Microeconomic Theory (Third Edition). Prentice hall

 

Macroeconomics:

Krueger, D., Macroeconomic Theory, teaching manuscript

Ljungqvist, L. and T. Sargent, Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, MIT Press

Stokey, N. L. and R. E. Lucas, Jr., Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics, Harvard University Press.(CP) Cooley, T. F. and E. C. Prescott, Economic Growth and Busines Cycles, in Cooley, T.F. (ed.) Frontiers of Business Cycle Research, Princeton University Press

King, R. G., C. I. Plosser, and S. T. Rebelo, Production Growth and Business Cycles. I. The Basic Neoclassical Growth Model, Journal of Monetary Economics, 21, pp. 195-232

Krusell, P., L. E. Ohanian, J.-V. Ríos-Russ, and G. L. Violante, Capital-Skill Complementarity and Inequality: A Macroeconomic Analysis, Econometrica, 68 (5), pp. 1029-1053

 

Additional references will be provided during the course.


Software

  • Matlab
  • R
  • Phyton
  • Stata

Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PLABm) Practical laboratories (master) 30 English first semester morning-mixed
(TEm) Theory (master) 30 English first semester morning-mixed