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EC340-15 Topics in Applied Economics (3a)

Department
Economics
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Claudia Rei
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

This module introduces students to the current practice of applied economics. Through a combination of theory, empirics, and policy discussions, students will become familiar with recent academic debates around various topics such as poverty, gender, and climate change. In particular, we will consider key theories that inspire empirical work in applied economics and analyse in depth the empirical strategies that have been used to test them. Furthermore, we will focus on how to draw policy implications based on the evidence produced.

Module web page

Module aims

This module aims to illustrate how to use economists' toolbox for the analysis of socioeconomic problems such as poverty, gender disparity in the labour market, and the adverse impacts of climate change. We will emphasise the importance of both theoretical and empirical analysis for understanding the origins of these problems, as well as for designing and evaluating appropriate policies.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module covers several topics in applied economics. For each topic, the module provides an introduction to related theoretical concepts and models, a description of empirical strategies typically used for testing theories, a summary of existent evidence, and examples of studies analysing policy interventions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand selected models in applied economics (e.g. poverty traps, statistical discrimination), their assumptions and testable predictions.
  • Assess the strengths and weaknesses of empirical methods for the identification of causality that are popular in applied economics. This includes both experimental and observational methods.
  • Use economic reasoning and evidence to analyse policies and interventions related to considered topics.
  • Develop communication and presentation skills

Research element

Module suggests avenues for future research in Economics, as well as recent applications and development of econometric methods in the area of study.

Interdisciplinary

Module covers contents that are relevant to also disciplines including Political Science and Sociology.

International

Skills learned in the module may facilitate employment opportunities worldwide. Applications of the methods presented in the module may be drawn from international experiences.

Subject specific skills

  • Enhance the capacity to conduct economic analyses autonomously
  • Enhance understanding of the recent debates on topics related to gender economics, poverty, climate change
  • Develop and enhance skills in econometrics
  • Be able to understand, distinguish, and communicate the differences between correlational and causal analysis

Transferable skills

  • Enhance the capacity to conduct economic analyses autonomously
  • Enhance understanding of the recent debates on topics related to gender economics, poverty, climate change
  • Develop and enhance skills in econometrics
  • Be able to understand, distinguish, and communicate the differences between correlational and causal analysis

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 2 hours (13%)
Online learning (scheduled sessions) (0%)
Online learning (independent) (0%)
Private study 100 hours (67%)
Assessment 30 hours (20%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private study will be required in order to prepare for seminars/classes, to review lecture notes, to prepare for forthcoming assessments, tests, and exams, and to undertake wider reading around the subject.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Mini-presentation 15% 2 hours No

The students will be asked to make a 10-minute presentation reviewing a selected article.

In-person Examination - Summer 85% 28 hours No

There will be a number of questions on each topic covered in the lectures. The questions will probe your understanding of the key concepts introduced during the module and your knowledge of the related empirical evidence.

Assessment group R1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
In-person Examination - September 100% No

There will be a number of questions on each topic covered in the lectures. The questions will probe your understanding of the key concepts introduced during the module and your knowledge of the related empirical evidence.

Feedback on assessment

The Department of Economics is committed to providing high quality and timely feedback to students on their assessed work, to enable them to review and continuously improve their work. We are dedicated to ensuring feedback is returned to students within 20 University working days of their assessment deadline. Feedback for assignments is returned either on a standardised assessment feedback cover sheet which gives information both by tick boxes and by free comments or via free text comments on tabula, together with the annotated assignment. For tests and problem sets, students receive solutions as an important form of feedback and their marked assignment, with a breakdown of marks and comments by question and sub-question. Students are informed how to access their feedback, either by collecting from the Undergraduate Office or via tabula. Module leaders often provide generic feedback for the cohort outlining what was done well, less well, and what was expected on the assignment and any other common themes. This feedback also includes a cumulative distribution function with summary statistics so students can review their performance in relation to the cohort. This feedback is in addition to the individual-specific feedback on assessment performance.

Past exam papers for EC340

Pre-requisites

EC201-30 Macroeconomics 2 AND EC202-30 Microeconomics 2 AND EC226-30 Econometrics 1 OR
EC204-30 Economics 2 AND EC203-30 Applied Econometrics OR
EC204-30 Economics 2 AND EC226-30 Econometrics 1

To take this module, you must have passed:

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TECA-L1PA Postgraduate Taught Economics (Diploma plus MSc)
  • Year 4 of UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
  • Year 4 of UECA-GL12 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Year 4 of UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)

This module is Unusual option for:

  • Year 3 of UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
    • Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)