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ECON20120

Academic Year 2024/2025

The Economics of the European Union: Institutions, Policies and Crises (ECON20120)

Subject:
Economics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Economics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Mr Gavin Cassells
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The course covers the integration of European countries through the lens of economic theory and policy. We use microeconomic and macroeconomic tools to examine the motivation for and development of core EU policies. First we examine the origins of economic and later European integration., through to the Single Market. We cover core policies such as trade, agriculture, and competition with microeconomic tools, examining economic efficiency. Then we discuss fiscal and monetary policies of the EU, including the common currency. Two crises that highlight the triumphs and pitfalls of European integration are studied in-depth: Brexit and the Financial Crisis. Using the economic policy analysis tools developed in class, students pursue research, independently and with classmates, on other EU policies such as the environment and social protection.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will understand the development of the EU, and its main structure and policies. They will be able to identify complex economic mechanisms underlying the structure of the EU. Students will be able to analyse policy from an economist’s perspective, communicating independent research of complex processes through concise, coherent written communication.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, enquiry & problem-based learning.

Assessment is through multiple short online exams and one written assessment with multiple elements.

Large Language Models like ChatGPT (often referred to as AI) are allowed to be used for the written assignment, as a guide to what an answer might look like, but the use of AI must be acknowledged in the assignment appendices. In general, all assignments require that facts and expert opinion must be attributed using the Harvard referencing system and it is not appropriate to use low quality sources like ChatGPT or Wikipedia for these purposes.

Plagiarism risk is high when using AI, and it is not acceptable to submit AI-generated content as it is. If you copy and paste entire AI-generated answers, it will be considered plagiarism. Even AI co-created work is considered collusion if you present it all as your own. Note, AI-generated lists of publications and other sources are predictions only; they may not truly exist, therefore you should check all sources of information provided for accuracy.

If you use AI to generate answers in online exams, this is considered academic misconduct.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ECON2021J - European Economy


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Online): A short multiple choice exam with 20 questions covering the first half of the module. Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Exam (Online): A short multiple choice exam with 20 questions covering the second half of the module. Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A policy brief style essay on a topic of EU relevance, following an explicit class guide. Week 14 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Solutions to midterm examination will be posted on Brightspace within 20 working days from the date of the midterm, and students wishing to receive individual feedback will be given an appointment.

Name Role
Eddie Casey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Gavin Cassells Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Deirdre Coy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 16:00 - 17:50
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