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Study information

Topics in Microeconomic Theory I

Module titleTopics in Microeconomic Theory I
Module codeBEEM144
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Surajeet Chakravarty (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

3

Module description

The module explores burgeoning areas of modern microeconomics, with the aim of enabling you to write independent research in microeconomics at the research frontier.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module explores burgeoning areas of modern microeconomics, with the aim of enabling students to write independent research in microeconomics at the research frontier.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Provide technical analysis and address complex questions at the frontier of microeconomic research
  • 2. Discuss economic problems, provide mathematical representation and solution to the problem

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Apply self-direction and originality in tackling and solving microeconomics problems
  • 4. Develop their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Identify, tackle and solve relevant research problems
  • 6. Work independently and responsibly on complex research problems

Syllabus plan

  • Topics in Labour Economics:
    • Taste-base discrimination
    • Statistical discrimination
    • Institutional discrimination
    • Dynamic discrimination
    • Other forms of discrimination
    • Recent advances in the economics of education
    • Recent advances in gender economics
    • Recent advances in labour economics

  • Topics in Development Economics
    • Recent advances in health economics for developing countries
    • Recent advances in the economics of education for developing countries
    • Recent advances in development economics

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
331170

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Schedules learning and teaching33Lectures
Guided Independent Study58Reading
Guided Independent Study59Assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Research question overviewVaries1-6Oral/Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
In-class oral presentation and slides - 12045 minutes1-6Oral/Written
In-class oral presentation and slides - 22045 minutes1-6Oral/Written
Research proposal presentation 2030 minutes1-6Oral/Written
Research project40Up to 3000 words1-6Oral/Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Research projectResearch project (40%)1-6Referral/Deferral period
Research proposal presentationResearch proposal presentation (20%)1-6Referral/Deferral period
In-class oral presentation and slides - 1In-class oral presentation and slides - 1 (20%)1-6Referral/Deferral period
In-class oral presentation and slides - 2In-class oral presentation and slides - 2 (20%)1-6Referral/Deferral period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Selected readings (more will be discussed in class and on ELE):

-        Oreopoulos, and Salvanes (2011), “Priceless: The Nonpecuniary Benefits of Schooling”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 25(1): 159–84 

-        Goodman, Melkers, and Pallais (2019), "Can online delivery increase access to education?”, Journal of Labor Economics, 37(1): 1-34

-        Bailey (2006), “More power to the pill: The impact of contraceptive freedom on women’s life cycle labor supply”, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 121(1): 289- 320

-        Blau and Kahn (2017), “The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations”, Journal of Economic Literature, 55(3): 789-865

-        Mbiti (2016), "The Need for Accountability in Education in Developing Countries“, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 30(3): 109-32

-        Duflo (2001), "Schooling and Labor Market Consequences of School Construction in Indonesia: Evidence from an Unusual Policy Experiment”, American Economic Review, 91(4): 795- 813

-        Baird, Hicks, Kremer, and Miguel (2016), “Worms at Work: Long-Run Impacts of a Child Health Investment”, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(4): 1637-1680

- Thornton (2008), "The Demand for, and Impact of, Learning HIV Status”, American Economic Review, 98(5): 1829-1863

Key words search

Labour economics, economics of discrimination, development economics

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

Only available to MRes Economics PhD pathway students

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

24/06/2019

Last revision date

01/03/2024