Applying Economics

Course Objective

The objective of this course is to develop your capability to independently analyse a policy issue, to design a policy response or to evaluate a policy intervention, from an economic point of view, and report your findings in a clear, logical and informative way. Specific learning outcomes upon completion of this course are: you are able to identify a relevant (economic) policy issue, to motivate the urgency of the issue, and to formulate an appropriate research question; you are able to locate relevant economic theory in the literature and to apply it correctly in order to analyse the policy issue and to identify the economic rationale of potential or actual policy responses; you are able to identify, interpret and compare empirical findings from the economic literature to describe the policy issue, and/or the behavioural response of the market and government actors, and/or the impact of these responses; you have developed a critical attitude to the relevance and shortcomings of empirical data compared to theoretical requirements, and have become aware of limitations in insights that can be gained from theoretical reasoning alone when addressing real-life issues; you are able to present your findings clearly to academic expert and non-expert audiences; you are able to work independently, while incorporating relevant feedback into their work; you are able to give constructive feedback to peers.

Course Content

In this intensive four-week course, you work in a policy area of your own choice (e.g. international financial systems and banking regulation, macro policy, development and growth, environment, urban/transport, health, human capital, competition policy, industrial policy). You write an economic policy-oriented research paper focusing on policy analysis, design and/or evaluation.

Teaching Methods

One introductory lecture followed by weekly working groups (compulsory attendance).

Method of Assessment

Participation in tutorial sessions, presentation of research, and a policy research paper.

Recommended background knowledge

All courses from period 1 and period 2:"An Introduction to Economics", "Economic Challenges", "Choices, Inequality and Welfare" and "The Economics of Crises".