Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ECON1171: Economic Controversies

Department: Economics

ECON1171: Economic Controversies

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 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