ECON2001D Economic Policy and the Global environment

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is a course in applied economics. We will use economic analysis to study policies that governments use to intervene in the economy. We will discuss the rationale for government intervention, apply cost-benefit analysis to potential interventions and discuss case studies on recent economic policy in Ireland and internationally. Students will be introduced to more advanced economic theories and learn to combine theory and evidence to analyse both micro- and macro-economic policy questions. These will include questions on unemployment and the labour market; international trade; interest rates; economic growth; fiscal policy; and European Monetary Union.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module you should be able to:
Understand and explain the principal economic policy issues in Ireland.
Critically assess the role of government in the economy.
Evaluate how Ireland’s position as a small open economy within the EU impacts our economic policy.
Discuss how productivity affects economic growth, and discuss economic growth in the Irish context.
Describe the economic causes of unemployment and discuss economic policy responses to the problem.
Discuss the key aims of fiscal policy, explain what comprises an appropriate fiscal stance, and evaluate fiscal policy in Ireland.
Explain why inflation is of such importance to economic policy, and discuss the causes and consequences of inflation for Ireland.
Describe the process of money creation; explain the role of central banks play in monetary policy.
Critically analyse the role of international trade in a small, open economy and the role of foreign direct investment in Ireland.
Discuss & explain the economic case for EMU, the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) in achieving price stability, and the role of closer co-ordination of economic policies including through the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP).

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

85
Autonomous Student Learning

111
Lectures

12
Total

208
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will attend classes for this module and have the opportunity to engage in active learning during these sessions. There will be in-class discussion and group work to analyse module concepts. Where appropriate, the module will incorporate case based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Group Assignment Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50
Examination: exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

General feedback is provided to students on all their submitted assessment components.

O'Hagan, John and Francis O’Toole (eds): The Economy of Ireland: Policy-Making in a Global Context, 13th edition, Palgrave, 2017 ISBN 9781137611079
AND
Economics, 5th Edition, N. Gregory Mankiw, Mark P. Taylor, 2020. ISBN 9781473768543
Name Role
Mr Gavin Cassells Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katherine Collins Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Gerard Dooley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Ciara Finlay Lecturer / Co-Lecturer