Public University of Navarre



Academic year: 2023/2024 | Previous academic years:  2022/2023  |  2021/2022  |  2020/2021  |  2019/2020 
International Double Bachelor's degree in Economics, Management and Business Administration at the Universidad Pública de Navarra
Course code: 176102 Subject title: INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS
Credits: 6 Type of subject: Basic Year: 1 Period: 1º S
Department: Economía
Lecturers:
ECHAVARRI AGUINAGA, REBECA (Resp)   [Mentoring ]

Partes de este texto:

 

Module/Subject matter

Economic analysis.

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General proficiencies

This course aims to encourage students for the understanding and expression of central ideas related to the functioning of the economic system in a complex society. The final aim is that this course enables students to:

(i) READ news and reports on economic issues of growing interest in the social, economic and political environments;

(ii) WRITE on these topics, using the economic method (including terminology, mathematical models and analysis);

(iii) EXPRESS interpretation and opinion on economic issues by speaking in front of an audience.

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Specific proficiencies

The specific proficiencies to be working throughout Introduction to Economics are the ability to:

Express fluently by speaking and writing in social and economic contexts, and participate in team work.

Make use of information and communication technologies in their future professional careers.

SP01 Understand economic institutions are as a result and application of theoretical or formal representations about how the economy works.

SP04 Use professional criteria for economic analysis, preferably those based on the handling of technical instruments.

SP08 Identify and anticipate relevant economic problems in relation to the allocation of resources.

SP09 Contribute rationality to the analysis and description of any aspect of economic reality.

SP10 Evaluate the consequences of different action alternatives and select the best ones given the objectives.

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Learning outcomes

R_AE_01. Define resource scarcity and describe the most relevant resource allocation models in economics.
R_AE_02. Define and interpret prices in a market economy.
R_AE_05. Define, obtain and interpret the equilibrium in a perfectly competitive market.
R_AE_08. Define efficiency and optimality in economics. Apply these concepts to different market structures.
R_AE_10. Know the macroeconomic models for determining income, interest rates and prices.

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Methodology

The learning and teaching methodology is based on student-centred and enquiry-based techniques that would combine lecturing on students with the creation of small and cooperative learning environments. We would exploit showcase empirical questions (called "evidence-based economics features"), data analysis, experiments, poster sessions and model design. The contents would be structured around a single textbook.

Learning activities Hours (classroom) Hours (out of classroom)
A-1 Master sessions 42  
A-2 Seminars 12  
A-3 Advanced reading for lectures   40
A-4 Studying   48
A-5 Exams 06  
A-6 Office hours (individual)   02
Total 60 90

 

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Relationship between formative activities and proficiencies/learning outcomes

The master classes will consist on an exposition of the course topics by the instructor.

The seminar and problem solving classes will require the active participation by the students.

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Languages

English.

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Evaluation

Learning
outcome
Assessment
activity
Weight (%) It allows
test resit
Minimum
required grade
All

In-class individual assessments 20 NO NO
All Partial exam/s 30 YES, in the retake exam NO
All Final exam 50 YES, in the retake exam NO

 

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Contents

This introductory course to Economics presents the main economic notions related to the functioning of the economic system in a complex society. After beginning with the definition of Economics due to Lionel Robins (namely, "Economics is the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means that have alternative uses"), we go on to examine individual (including persons and firms) and social decisions in various economic contexts, and from micro and macroeconomic perspectives.

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Agenda

Topic 1: Introduction

Topic 2: Demand, Supply and Equilibrium

Topic 3: Elasticities and Surplus

Topic 4: Perfect Competition and the Invisible Hand

Topic 5: Imperfect competition: The monopoly case

Topic 6: Externalities

Topic 7: The Government in the Economy: Taxation and Regulation

Topic 8: The Wealth of Nations: Defining and Measuring Macroeconomic Aggregates

Topic 9: Employment and Unemployment

Topic 10: The Monetary System

Topic 11: Short-run Fluctuations and Macroeconomic Policy

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Bibliography

Access the bibliography that your professor has requested from the Library.


Acemoglu D., D. Laibson and J. A. List. 2017. Economics 2nd Ed. Pearson.

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Location

Campus de Arrosadia.

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