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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Fundamentals of Economics
Module Code EF115 (ITS) / ECO1003 (Banner)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinatorSiobhain Mcgovern
Module TeachersCliona Mcparland, Majella Brereton
NFQ level 6 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to macroeconomic economic theory and policy. Economic concepts and models will be evaluated as explanations of the workings and outcomes of the macroeconomy. In turn, the conclusions from this analysis will point to macroeconomic policy proposals (and their evaluation). The module also to introduce students to microeconomic theory, principles, policy and practice. Economic concepts and models will be assessed and evaluated as explanations of the workings and outcomes of the micro economy including consumers, enterprises and markets. In addition, the conclusions from the above will inform microeconomic policy issues and their evaluation. This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials and supported by sets of on-line activities.

Learning Outcomes

1. define key concepts used in micro and macroeconomics
2. present elementary models and theories describing economic processes in a market economy
3. apply these economic concepts and theories to analyse numerical data and real world situations
4. Present and evaluate microeconomic theories and models
5. Discuss and assess the form and consequences of Government microeconomic policy and market intervention



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture30No Description
Online activity30Asynchronous online content (key concepts/content)
Assignment Completion20No Description
Seminars6No Description
Online activity26Guided learning loop
Online activity75Final Quiz study
Total Workload: 187

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Macroeconomic objectives and policies
Introduction to macroeconomics; relationship to microeconomics; introduction of main variables of focus; recent macroeconomic history; macroeconomic debates; measuring national income; short term growth and the business cycle; long run growth and its determinants

Macroeconomic theory
Aggregate demand and national income - the circular flow model; the multiplier effect; Keynesian analysis of unemployment and inflation; rational expectations and the New Classical alternative.

Demand and supply theory and applications
Demand curves and functions, utility theory and indifference curves, supply curves and functions, application of s/d theory, market price, shifts in curves, maximum and minimum price intervention, tax incidence, critique of s/d model as explanation of actual world

Theory of firm and market structure
Types of profit and their roles, profit maximising rule of MC=MR, revenue maximising objective, other objectives of firm, characteristics of perfect competition, monopolistic competition and advertising, oligopoly and monopoly, perfect competition model and PC short-run and long-run equilibrium positions, monopoly model and equilibrium, use of models to compare and contrast competition and monopoly, application to actual world

Role of money in the economy
Role and function of money; demand for money; supply of money and the operations of the Central Bank; the financial sector and its relationship to monetary policy;

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Loop Quizn/a50%n/a
Assignmentn/a50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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