ECON 311 : Advanced Macroeconomics

Business and Economics

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Designed to teach students modern macroeconomic analysis and focuses on the standard dynamic general equilibrium model, which is central to current macroeconomic research. Students are given a careful introduction to the overlapping generations version of this model and shown how this model can be adapted in different ways to address a wide variety of economic issues and policy questions.

Course Overview

The course will provide a base of understanding for students who are interested in conducting macroeconomic research or postgraduate study in macroeconomics. This course will also enable students to read and understand some of the frontier macroeconomic research currently being published in top academic journals.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ECON 201 or 211, and 15 points from ENGGEN 150, ENGSCI 111, MATHS 108, 130

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply general equilibrium framework to understand different macroeconomic issues such as long run growth, fluctuations, employment, and inflation. (Capability 1)
  2. Analyse macroeconomic problems and identify possible solutions. (Capability 2 and 3)
  3. Use numerical examples in macroeconomic models to predict outcomes, including different government policy scenarios. (Capability 1)
  4. Assess the limitations of markets and understand how governments can sometimes improve on market allocations. (Capability 2)
  5. Conduct independent macroeconomic research, using modern modelling techniques. (Capability 4.2 and 5.1)
  6. Identify, review, appraise and assemble multiple information sources to produce coherent and well-reasoned analysis of topics set in tests and assignments. Justify stances taken in this analysis by explicitly acknowledging assumptions and considering implications, particularly in the face of challenges. (Capability 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Problem sets (2 - 15% each) 30% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Problem sets (2 - 15% each)
Test
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a one hour tutorial per week. Tutorials will begin in the second week of the semester.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Suggested textbook: 
  • Kurlat, P. (2020). A course in modern macroeconomics.
  • Carlin, W. and Soskice, D. (2015). Macroeconomics: Institutions, instability and the financial system. Oxford University Press.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

 

Other Information

The content outline will be posted on CANVAS prior to the first week of semester.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 13/07/2023 10:58 a.m.