ECM101: Microeconomic Policy

Module code: ECM101

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Christian Bach, email: c.w.bach@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the main microeconomic theories and models which are used to analyse individual and firm behaviour. The module combines analytical material and examples of applications to a range of policy and decision-making issues.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of microeconomic principles, theories and methods of analysis;
2. Apply microeconomic principles and theories to describe how individuals and firms make decisions and explain the impact of these decisions on consumer welfare and firm profits;
3. Assess the impact of changes in the economic and policy environment on individual and firm behaviour;
4. Apply microeconomic concepts and methods to analyse and interpret real-world phenomena

Module content

Core topics to be covered include:

• supply and demand;
• elasticity;
• consumption;
• production;
• perfect competition;
• monopolistic competition;
• monopoly;
• oligopoly;
• market failure.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Detailed guidance on the topics covered will be provided in the weekly lectures, together with handouts covering the material discussed, examples, exercises and solutions to facilitate understanding of key concepts. Seminars will provide an opportunity to explore applications of the theory in more depth. Students will be expected to supplement the lectures with the recommended reading and to do some research using the library, internet or other resources. Office hours are available for students to consult the lecturer on an individual basis.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs