Prospectus

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Macroeconomics

Course
2022-2023

Admission requirements

Required course:

  • Principles of Economics

Description

Macroeconomics is about aggregates, employment, inflation, economic growth; it is about the economy as a whole. The major actors in the policies concerning these aggregates are governments and central banks, and the playing field is made up of several institutions, such as financial markets, labour markets, policymaking arena’s and so on. The study of macroeconomics provides both the theoretical framework to study the economy as a whole as the instruments to discuss economic policies that are used to achieve the policy goals, such as full employment, price stability, stable growth among others.

In this course, we will analyze the three major themes in macroeconomics in both the short term and the long term framework. We will introduce and use the standard macroeconomic tools to discuss the economic policies that governments and central banks use to achieve the goals. We will also elaborate on the markets that are relevant for macroeconomic policy, in particular the financial markets and the labour markets.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain the underlying concepts of economic output, employment, and inflation.

  • Analyze how an economy grows in a long run, applying basic growth theories.

  • Identify the link between output, employment, and inflation in the short run.

  • Demonstrate how fiscal and monetary policy may stabilize the economy against short run business cycle and identify their policy limitations and trade-offs.

In practical sense, students will also be able to:

  • Review relevant long run and short run macroeconomic indicators.

  • Critically interpret contemporary macroeconomic news/reports in the media.

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2022-2023 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

The course uses a variety of teaching methods: interactive lecturing, student presentations, class debate and is writing-intensive.

Assessment Method

  • Class participation and attendance: 10%

  • Written answers to questions (conducted in sessions 7 and 8): 10%

  • Final paper: 25%

  • Three peer reviews: total for 3 reviews: 25%

  • Final exam: 30%

Reading list

Reading material made available through Brigthspace.

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Joop de Kort, j.f.dekort@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

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