Instructional goals
This course aims to provide the methodological and theoretical tools to understand how the economies work and to explain the past and current economic developments. We will focus on the stylized facts of business cycle fluctuations and economic growth, the determinants of unemployment and inflation. We will also discuss whether and to what extent policy can improve macroeconomic performance.
Prerequisites
Microeconomic Principles
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
This course aims to provide the methodological and theoretical tools to understand how the economies work and to explain the past and current economic developments. We will focus on the stylized facts of business cycle fluctuations and economic growth, the determinants of unemployment and inflation. We will also discuss whether and to what extent policy can improve macroeconomic performance.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The students will be able to
Apply a wide range of economic models to analyze contemporary and historical macroeconomic events, and propose appropriate macroeconomic policies
Making judgements
We expect students to be able to critically examine macroeconomic policies and use the appropriate economic models to critically demonstrate the scope and challenges of macroeconomic policies.
Communication
This course will give the students the possibility to acquire and understand major macroeconomic language and terminology in order to communicate their ideas, proposals, analysis and critical reasoning in the most effective and appropriate way with specialists and non-specialists.
Lifelong learning skills
This course will train the students to apply abstract thinking applied to complex economic system. This course will give students the tools to formulate and evaluate macroeconomic policy.
Course Contents
Part I:
Introduction to Macroeconomics; The Big Questions; The story of macroeconomics
Good Markets
Financial markets
IS-LM model
Openness in Goods and Financial Market
Budget Deficits
Part II:
The Labour Market
IS-LM-PC Model
Reference Books
Blanchard, O. Giavazzi F. & Amighini A., Macroeconomics: A European
perspective. Pearson, 4th Edition.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and written exercises based on the problem set which will be made available few days before the class. The solutions of the problem set will be made available on the Luiss learn platform
Assessment Method
Written exams; problem sets handed in during the course. The exam is based on the topics covered during the lectures and classes, the chapters of the textbook and on selected supplementary readings assigned during the course.
Thesis assignment criteria
Interview with the lecturer, interest in the subject
Week 1
Introduction to Macroeconomics; The Big Questions; The story of macroeconomics
Week 2
Introduction to Macroeconomics; The Big Questions; The story of macroeconomics
Week 3
Good Markets
Week 4
Good Markets
Week 5
Financial markets
Week 6
Financial markets
Week 7
IS-LM model
Week 8
IS-LM model
Week 9
Openness in Goods and Financial Market
Week 10
Budget Deficits
Week 11
The Labour Market
Week 12
IS-LM-PC Model