This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module ECON2091: ECONOMICS OF SOCIAL POLICY

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (ECONOMICS AND FINANCE)

ECON2091: ECONOMICS OF SOCIAL POLICY

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	2	20	Available in 2006/2007	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

Elements of Economics (ECON1011) (Durham) OR Introduction to Economics (ECOS1031) (Queen's Campus, Stockton).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

To develop students' awareness and understanding of the contribution which economic analysis can make to discussions of issues in social policy, with particular reference to education, health and crime.
The module also provides an opportunity for students to practice their written and presentational skills.

Content

Lecture topics: Introduction, Market Intervention, Resource Allocation, The Valuation of Non-Marketed Goods and Services, Equity, Extenalities, and Cost-Benefit Analysis.
Accompanying seminars will enable students to apply the theoretical analysis presented in lectures to the areas of education, health and crime.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Market failure and government limitation to combat this market failure

Subject-specific Skills

Use of microeconomic theory to address economic policy crime

Key Skills

Written communication - summative assessment is a written examination
Planning and Organisation and time management - students plan their work to meet set deadlines
Adaptability - students perform under the pressure of written examinations

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (inlcuding student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of one seminar paper. Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of two and a quarter hours duration.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
Lectures	19	1 per week	1 hour	19
Tutorials	8	1 every 2 weeks	1 hour	8
Preparation and Reading				173
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	100%	one two-and-a-quarter-hour written examination		100%

Formative Assessment

One seminar paper of 2500 words

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.