Student guide Facoltà di Economia A.A. 2007/08

The aim of the course is to extend the students' ability to understand the rationale for economic policies and their effects on the economy. Special attention  is given to labour markets and  European Institutions, discussing current trends and policy developments in the European Union and the effects of the European Integration and the Enlargement on Member States. Both macroeconomic and microeconomic aspects are considered. Students are expected to participate actively during classes and will be asked to present the economic and labour market situation in their home countries.

The course is organised into the following units:

1 -   An introduction to economic policy: the rationale for public intervention, potential and limits of economic policy, the debate over rules vs. discretionality

2 -   Macroeconomic Policy: this part  will focus on aspects of macroeconomic policies relevant at the European Union level: monetary policies and the EMU; Public Expenditures and the Welfare  States.

3 -   Unemployment and Labour Market Policy: this part of the course will focus on labour market issues, considering different theories of unemployment and the “eurosclerosis” debate; discussing labour market policies and the role of European Institutions

4 -   Growth theories and economic convergence: this part will present the main models of economic growth, focussing on the role of human capital in explaining economic growth and economic convergence.

Written exam and group projects to be presented and handed out at the end of the course.

The reading list will be handed out at the beginning of the course.