Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module ECON1171: Economic Controversies

Department: Economics and Finance

ECON1171: Economic Controversies

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2021/22 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce a number of economic controversies for non specialists

Content

  • A range of material is treated at an introductory level, with topics likely to include some of the following indicative content but will vary from year to year in line with current controversies.
  • The Causes and the Consequences of Natural Disasters
  • Why are Premier League footballers paid so much?
  • Global Warming - Economists do have the answer
  • Brexit Legalising Class A Drugs
  • If the NHS is so good, why does no one else have one?
  • Is Free trade, Fair Use of Natural Resources

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Know and understand the basic principles of economics
  • Be able to apply an economic framework to the analysis of economics issues
  • Be able to construct and explain fundamental economic models and interrelationships
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • explain key theories in economics
  • use appropriate techniques for economic analysis.
Key Skills:
  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Written communication
  • Own learning
  • Working with numbers
  • Library skills
  • Information retrieval

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

  • Teaching is by lectures. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures and student reading.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 40 2 per week 1 hour 40
Webinars 16 Intermittently throughout the year 1 hour 16
Preparation and Reading 144
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 1500 words 33% same
Assignment 2 1500 words 67% same

Formative Assessment:

1 formative work in the form of feedback


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