Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module ECON44815: ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS (MSc Economics)

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)

ECON44815: ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS (MSc Economics)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap None.
Tied to L1T109
Tied to L1T209
Tied to L1T309
Tied to L1T409

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop knowledge and analytical skills in advanced macroeconomics.

Content

  • Topics will be drawn primarily from the following:
  • Continuous time growth models;
  • Policy in continuous time growth models;
  • Discrete time growth models;
  • Overlapping generations models;
  • Endogenous growth;
  • Uncertainty and expectations;
  • Equilibrium business cycle theory;
  • Monetary economics;
  • Models with heterogeneous agents;
  • Indivisible labour in dynamic economies.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • be able to interpret scholarly literature in advanced macroeconomics;
  • have sufficient familiarity with the relevant current academic literature to identify open questions for their own research.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • be able to apply problem-solving and analytical skills to complex issues in macroeconomics.
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

  • Lectures will present the topics in detail, give suggestions for further reading, give guidance for the problems for the seminars, and give students the necessary knowledge to read and understand the relevant scholarly literature.
  • In the seminars students will be encouraged to actively participate and solve problems. The seminars will train the students to solve analytical problems in economic theory, as well as giving students the opportunity to identify research questions. The written exam will test students' ability to solve advance analytical problems in macroeconomic theory.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 2 per week 1 hours 20
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4
Preparation & Reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

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

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive written comments on a formative written assignment. Additional formative assessment and feedback, may take a number of forms such as oral feedback on work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar, or posted on DUO; 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