Module description
What is the module about?
This module covers a range of contemporary topics in economics from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Students will be able to understand the theoretical arguments behind each topic covered but also be able to understand a whole range of empirical methodologies employed by economists to test these theories. The module will consist of research led teaching and so there will be no set textbook. The reading list will consist of journal articles and the odd book chapter here and there. After completing the course students will be able to read and understand the journal articles we cover and will also be able to provide a critical analysis of these.
Who should do this module?
The module is not necessarily confined to students with a mathematical background. The module will be interesting to students who have a general interest in contemporary economics and would like to graduate with a good understanding of the existing empirical literature in applied economics. Graduates of the module will be able to n formulate their own arguments based on their own appraisal of the empirical literature and understand how applied research can help to answer theoretical problems. They will be able to differentiate between empirical methodologies and identify when and why some are more appropriate than others, analyse and evaluate empirical analysis and critically evaluate the empirical methodologies.
Provisional Lecture Outline
Lecture 1: Introduction & Background Econometrics
Lecture 2: Understanding the Returns to Education.
Lecture 3: Government Policies that Reduce Poverty.
Lecture 4: Identifying the Drivers of Wage Inequality.
Lecture 5: Explaining Social Mobility.
Lecture 6: Is Immigration Bad for the Economy?
Lecture 7: Understanding Productivity Growth.
Lecture 8: Why Are UK House Prices so High?
Lecture 9: The Determinants of Crime.
Lecture 10: Overview and Revision Lecture.
Assessment details
70% Examination
20% Coursework
10% Tutorial Assessment
Teaching pattern
Weekly Lecture
Fortnightly Tutorials
Suggested reading list
Key text or background reading
There is no one course textbook. A detailed reading list of journal articles and book chapters will be provided at the start of the course and key papers will be cited during the lectures.