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EC340: Topics in Applied Economics (3a)

  • Natalia Zinovyeva

    Module Leader
  • Mateusz Stalinski

    Module Lecturer
15 CATS - Department of Economics
Summer Module
Autumn Module

Principal Aims

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.

Principal Learning Outcomes

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

Syllabus

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.

Context

Optional Module
L100 - Year 3, L103 - Year 4, L116 - Year 3, L117 - Year 4, LM1D (LLD2) - Year 3, LM1H - Year 4, V7ML - Year 3, V7MM - Year 4, V7MP - Year 3, V7MR - Year 3, GL11 - Year 3, GL12 - Year 4, L1P5 - Year 1, L1PA - Year 1, LA99 - Year 3, R9L1 - Year 4, R3L4 - Year 4, R4L1 - Year 4, R2L4 - Year 4, R1L4 - Year 4, L1L8 - Year 3
Pre or Co-requisites
Modules: (EC201-30 and EC202-30 and EC203-30) and (EC201-30 and EC202-30 and EC226-30) and (EC204-30 and EC203-30) and (EC204-30 and EC226-30)

Assessment

Assessment Method
Coursework (15%) + Online Examination - Summer (85%)
Coursework Details
In Class Participation (5%) , Mini-presentation (10%) , Online Examination
Exam Timing
Summer

Exam Rubric

Time allowed: 2 hours

Read all instructions carefully – and read through the entire paper at least once before you start entering your answers.

There are TWO sections in this paper. Answer ALL FOUR questions from Section A (40 marks total) and ONE of TWO questions from Section B (60 marks).

Approved pocket calculators are allowed.

You should not submit answers to more than the required number of questions. If you do, we will mark the questions in the order that they appear, up to the required number of questions in each section.

Previous exam papers can be found in the University’s past papers archive. Please note that previous exam papers may not have operated under the same exam rubric or assessment weightings as those for the current academic year. The content of past papers may also be different.