Module overview
This module introduces topics at the intersection between politics and economics. It exposes students to substantive issues in political economy, such as the comparative analysis of different electoral systems, distributive justice, and the moral limits of markets. It equips students with various tools to analyse social-economic and political problems, from political competition models to applied ethics. The module also emphasises policy applications, with in-depth analysis of specific cases.
Linked modules
Pre-Requisites: ECON1001 or ECON1003 or ECON1020 or ECON1022
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Political institutions, and the organisation and exercise of power and governance.
- Different interpretations of political issues and events.
- Analytical methods in political economy
- Central concepts and arguments in both microeconomics and macroeconomics related to political economy
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Gather, organise and deploy political and economic evidence, data and information from a variety of sources.
- Address specific questions of interest in political economy, including the analysis of economic policy, applying adequate analytical methods.
- Identify issues for political and economic inquiry.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Work independently demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management
- Develop reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement
- Identify, select and draw upon a range of sources of printed, electronic and other material as a means to the development and presentation of arguments and evidence.
- Communicate ideas and arguments in a variety of formats
- Identify, investigate, analyse and advocate solutions to problems
Syllabus
This module will use tools from economics, political science, and moral philosophy to analyse a set of substantive issues in political economy. Students will first study theoretical foundations to perform both positive and normative analysis. The remaining lectures will cover a set of applications of political economy. For some of these applications, a policy issue will be discussed on “deliberative seminars” inspired by citizens’ assemblies, in which students will analyse and deliberate about a specific policy and will experience different types of democratic processes and voting systems.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures and seminars. The incorporation of “deliberative seminars” is innovative and provides "hands-on" training to students in a way that complements the instruction of theoretical notions. These seminars are tailored to develop students’ critical & analytical skills as well as their communication & argumentation abilities.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 125 |
| Lecture | 20 |
| Seminar | 5 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
T. Persson, and G. Tabellini (2016). Political Economics. MIT Press.
J. Hindriks, and G. Myles (2013). Intermediate Public Economics. MIT Press.
D. Hausman, M. McPherson, and D. Satz (2016). Economic Analysis, Moral Philosophy, and Public Policy. Cambridge University Press.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessment is through successful seminar participation (worth 10% of the final mark in total), two coursework assignments during the semester (20% in total), and a final written essay-based exam (70%). This is supported by continuous formative assessment in form of exercises. This is the same for internal repeat. External repeat and referral are through 100% final written essay-based examination.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 10% |
| Seminar Participation | 10% |
| Final Assessment | 70% |
| Coursework | 10% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External