Module: Spatial and Macroeconomics

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Spatial and Macroeconomics
Module Code	ECO1037
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module provides students with a rigorous treatment of economic geography, trade, FDI and open economy macroeconomics. The module will be organised in blocks covering: 1. Basic foundations; 2. New economic geography; 3. Trade, factor mobility and the current account; 4. Economic policy in an open economy; 5. Global value chains. The module will balance theory, empirical research and policy.

Learning Outcomes

1. explain the theoretical foundations of new economic geography, including agglomeration forces, spatial equilibrium and core-periphery dynamics
2. describe key models of open economy macroeconomics and their assumptions and limitations
3. derive and interpret gravity model estimates
4. evaluate the distributional consequences of trade and macroeconomic policy including dynamics of spatial inequality and left behind places
5. communicate complex economic arguments clearly.
6. discuss, debate and critique current issues in geoeconomics and macroeconomics policy
7. assess how global value chain fragmentation complicates traditional measures of trade, comparative advantage and current account balances

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	12311	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	20%	Examination Weight	80%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	This will test the ability to apply the learning to real examples	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	Classic final exam. This will examine all the learning goals.	80%	End-of-Semester

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

Journals
Journal of Economic Geography Journal of International Economics Journal of Geoeconomics Journal of Regional Science

Contents
This module provides students with a rigorous treatment of economic geography, trade, FDI and open economy macroeconomics. The module will be organised in blocks covering: 1. Basic foundations; 2. New economic geography; 3. Trade, factor mobility and the current account; 4. Macroeconomic policy in an open economy; 5. Global value chains. The module will balance theory, empirical research and policy.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Robert C. Feenstra: 2003, Advanced International Trade, Princeton University Press, 496, 0-691-11410-2
Theodore H. Cohn,Anil Hira: 2025, Global Political Economy, Routledge, 0, 9781032767901
Maurice Obstfeld,Kenneth Rogoff: 1996, Foundations of International Macroeconomics, MIT Press, 830, 0262150476
Robert C. Feenstra: 2003, Advanced International Trade, Princeton University Press, 496, 0691114102
Masahisa Fujita,Paul R. Krugman,Anthony Venables: 2001, The Spatial Economy, MIT Press, 396, 0262561476

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None