Module: Macroeconomic Policy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Macroeconomic Policy
Module Code	ECO1010 (ITS: EF302)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module enables students to analyse and evaluate macroeconomic concepts, theories, and policymaking in real life contexts through the use of case studies.

Learning Outcomes

1. describe macroeconomic variables such as GDP growth, inflation, unemployment and public debt
2. analyse the transmissions mechanisms that impact upon these variables in high, middle and low income countries
3. summarise key macroeconomic theories that lie behind these transmission mechanisms
4. assess the circumstances in which theoretical outcomes are unlikely to prevail in practice
5. use these theories to analyse and critique macroeconomic policymaking in low, middle and high income countries, building their understanding of how macroeconomic policies need to change to ensure sustainable growth in different contexts

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Assignment Completion	12	Students will complete short reflections each week on the material covered
Lecture	25	Preparation for and attendance at on campus lectures; reviewing asynchronous recorded lectures
Independent Study	88	Independent Study and Revision for End of Semester Examination
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21142	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Siobhain Mcgovern	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Reflective journal	Students complete nine weekly reflections, based on 3-2-1 structure : three things they learned in that week, two insights they gained, and one question they have about the material	10%	Every Week
Loop Quiz	Students will take a loop quiz in week seven to test their general knowledge of concepts, models and applications	20%	n/a
Assignment	Students will complete a case study analysis of macroeconomic policy making in countries at different stages of development.	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Some Revision
an overview of key macroeconomic concepts

Aggregate Demand and Supply
A discussion of the main tools of analysis in macroeconomic policymaking, including the IS/LM Open Economy model, and the AD/AS model

The Market for Goods
Using aggregate demand and supply to analyse the market for goods and services; the role of fiscal policy in influencing aggregate demand and supply; the limitations of fiscal policy

The Market for Money
demand for money; money supply and the role of the Central Bank; monetary policy in high, middle and low income countries

The Labour Market
using the AD/AS model to analyse the operations of the labour market; labour market structures and regulations; the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment; policies to influence the actual and natural unemployment rates

Public Debt
analysing the determinants of the debt to GDP ratio and the budget deficit; alternative measures of public debt; the concept of the automatic stabiliser; controlling public debt in high, middle and low income countries

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Supplement to Lecture Notes: Moodle Notes,
International Monetary Fund: Article IV publications,
The World Bank: various documents,