EC209-History of Economic Thought

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: EC113 Introductory Microeconomics and EC114 Introductory Macroeconomics or EC113NU Introductory Microeconomics and EC114NU Introductory Macroeconomics
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Marina Della Giusta
Email: m.dellagiusta@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module aims to acquaint students with the main schools of thought in economics. The module presents scholars and their ideas in historical perspective, and illustrates their relevance in the context of contemporary debates.

Aims:

The chief aim is to provide students with an understanding of the origins of economic ideas and a context for the knowledge they have been acquiring in the course of their studies.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will learn the history and development of economic ideas, and will be able to apply them to modern debates on economic policy.

Additional outcomes:

Students will also learn to participate in class debates and improve their presentation and verbal communication skills.

Outline content:

Topics covered will include:

schools of thought in economics, human motivation, inequality, labour, entrepreneurship and theory of the firm; animal spirits, state and market, money, crisis and value.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will introduce the material which students will then read and expand upon. Students will prepare presentations of classic scholars’ approaches to contemporary economic problems.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	180
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Two essays to be submitted during and at the end of the term in which the module is taught.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

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

• 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 five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum overall mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment for all modules takes place in August/September of the same year.

Re-assessment will be on the basis of two further essays, related to the topics covered in the module. These will not be a re-submission of the earlier essays. However, if only one of the original essays fails to reach the required standard, students will only be required to write one additional essay.

 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 July 2021