Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ECON40515: MONETARY ECONOMICS

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Economics and Finance)

ECON40515: MONETARY ECONOMICS

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap
Tied to L1K109

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with the specialist instruments for analysing monetary issues in a range of theoretical models and for analysing the theory and practice of monetary policy in modern industrialised economies.

Content

  • The value of money: a historical perspective;
  • The heritage of money demand;
  • Money supply process;
  • Central banks’ goals, targets and instruments;
  • Monetary policy and the inflation bias;
  • The macroeconomic theory of the rate of interest;
  • Money as a medium of exchange;
  • Money as a store of value.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and diversity of the current relevant academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research;
  • have demonstrated ability to learn and work independently in addressing challenging complex issues in monetary economics.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • have used highly specialised and advanced academic, technical and professional skills in analysing issues in monetary economics and policy.
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication;
  • Planning, Organising and Time Management;
  • Problem Solving and analysis;
  • Using initiative;
  • Numeracy;
  • Computer Literacy.

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

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module. Summative assessment by written examination will test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter, their critical judgement and problem-solving and critical skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 1 per week 2 hours 18
Seminars/Workshops 4 1 hour 4
Preparation & Reading 126
Revision Session 2 1 hour 2
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen written examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

Work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar, or posted on DUO; feedback on discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours, or via e-mail.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University