Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)
Module ECON1171: Economic Controversies
Department: Economics
ECON1171: Economic Controversies
| Type | Open | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Not available in 2023/24 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- Principles of Economics (ECON1011)
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?
- What should we do about Global Warming?
- Brexit
- Should we be Legalising Class A Drugs?
- How should healthcare be provided?
- Can economic growth continue forever?
- Will robots take our jobs?
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 and workshops. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, workshops and student reading. Summative assessment is by means of an assignment.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Workshops | 8 | 4 in Term 1, 4 in Term 2 | 1 hour | 8 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 172 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Assignment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Written assignment | 3000 words max. | 100% | Same |
Formative Assessment:
One written piece of work to prepare for the summative assignment.
■ 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