Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ECON2091: ECONOMICS OF SOCIAL POLICY

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

ECON2091: ECONOMICS OF SOCIAL POLICY

Type	Open	Level	2	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2010/11	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

Elements of Economics (ECON1011)

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

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 quasi-markets, 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 and particular topics on the Economics of Social Policy.
Accompanying seminars will enable students to apply the theoretical analysis presented in lectures to the areas of quasi-markets, 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
Oral communication - presenting of papers and participating in seminars.

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 (including 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	20	1 per week	1 hour	20
Tutorials	8	4 in term one, 4 in term two.	1 hour	8	■
Workshops	2		1 hour	2	■
Student-centred learning	4		1 hour	4
Preparation and Reading				166
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
One written examination	2 hours 15 minutes	100%

Formative Assessment:

1 group assessment: a report on work as a discussant on presented seminar papers

■ 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