BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics

BEE1024: Mathematics for Economists

Summary:

This module aims to make you familiar with those mathematical tools and methods which are used frequently in most economics courses and to show you how they are applied.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Mathematics is a global language, so the technical skills students acquire in this module can be used internationally.

Employability:

By solving statistical mathematical problems and exercises, students are equipped with practical problem-solving skills, theoretical skills, and an understanding of mathematical relationships. All of these are highly valuable to employers.

Sustainability

All of the resources for this module are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

Economic problems are often expressed using mathematical models. Therefore we introduce models which are to be formulated, analysed and then confronted with real-world data. This module aims to make students familiar with those mathematical tools and methods which are used frequently in most economic modules and to demonstrate how they are applied.

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BEE1029: Economic Principles

This module introduces Economics and explores the main characteristics of economies using historical and cross-country comparisons across the major dimensions of economic performance (growth, inequality, stability). By taking the main economic actors and showing how they make decisions, the course covers behaviour in goods and labour markets, highlighting the role of the players of the game, and showing the sources of market successes and market failures. Behaviour of households and firms is analysed in the economy as a whole, along with that of fiscal and monetary policy makers.

The module consists of two semesters of teaching, each covering core theory and applications from the main course resources: CORE's The Economy, Society and Public Policy (Term 1), CORE's The Economy 2.0 Macroeconomics (Term 2) and CORE's Doing Economics (Term 2).

This course aims to provide students with a basic understanding of Economics, and to apply this way of thinking to real world problems. It aims to help students understand the world around them, become more astute participants in the Economy and Society and help them understand Economic Policy so that they can better judge the decisions affecting the allocation of their society's resources.

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BEE1035: Basic Quantitative Methods

This module aims to bring students without A level Mathematics at Grade B or above - (or equivalent) - up to a sufficient level to enable you to become familiar with those mathematical tools and methods which are used frequently in the economics programmes and modules. In particular, this module will show you how they are applied and you will be able to practice this in lectures and tutorials. This is a compulsory module for Business Economics and Economics and Politics students without A level or equivalent. Please check with the module convener if you are unsure whether you need to take this module. This module is only to be taken by first year students.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation:

Mathematics is a global language, so the technical skills students acquire in this module can be used internationally.

Employability:

By solving statistical mathematical problems and exercises, students are equipped with practical problem-solving skills, theoretical skills, and an understanding of mathematical relationships. All of these are highly valuable to employers.

Sustainability:

All of the resources for this module are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

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POL1019: Power and Democracy

Democracy means 'rule by the people'. But who are the people? Who should be included as part of the demos? How can the people rule over themselves? Can they limit their own power? This module examines the idea of democracy and the meaning and nature of a range of democratic practices and institutions. It will consider the conditions under which power is exercised within a democratic regime. By surveying some influential texts in democratic theory, the module will provide foundational training in contemporary political theory for students of Politics and International Relations.

This module will introduce you to some key conceptual and normative debates in democratic theory. It aims to make you aware of the nature, limitations and possible applications of a range of different perspectives, conceptual approaches, and interpretations in democratic theory. For students interested in pursuing Politics and/or International Relations as a field of study, this is a useful introduction to core concepts in democratic theory.

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PHL1002A: Knowledge and Reality 1

This module introduces you to classical epistemological and metaphysical questions such as 'how do we know what we know?' and 'what is there?'. It presents and analyses some classical questions of the nature of reality and discusses subjects such as innate knowledge, scepticism, empiricism and common sense.

You will consider the early modern debate between rationalists and empiricists, as well as older and newer treatments of such related issues as Decartes' cogito, substance, idealism and the value of metaphysics. You will gain an understanding of technical terminology such as epistemology and metaphysics and be able to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of these views.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to classical epistemological and metaphysical questions. It presents and analyzes some classical answers to the question of how we know what we know, and about the nature of reality. The module discusses the early modern debate between rationalists and empiricists, as well as older and newer treatments of such related issues as innate knowledge, substance, scepticism and the value of metaphysics

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PHL1002B: Knowledge and Reality 2

The aim of this module is to introduce you to core topics in western philosophy. The course will revolve around a number of questions: What is the mind? What is the self? Does God exist? Why is there evil? Are we free? What should we do? How should we live? In considering these questions, you will become acquainted with some of the main historical movements in western philosophy, as well as with basic concepts and theories in core areas of philosophy such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy. No special knowledge is required, but it would be helpful to have attended the first part of this module, Knowledge and Reality 1.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to core topics in western philosophy. The course will revolve around a number of questions: What is the mind? What is the self? Does God exist? Why is there evil? Are we free? What should we do? How should we live? In considering these questions, you will become acquainted with some of the main historical movements in western philosophy, as well as with basic concepts and theories in core areas of philosophy such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy.

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PHL1006: Introduction to Philosophical Analysis

On this module, you will be introduced to various conceptions of philosophy that have existed over time, and you will develop your interpretive skills through the study of classic texts. You will be introduced to five different conceptions of philosophy and study texts illustrative of each, together with critical commentaries. This will teach you to appreciate the differences between styles of philosophical writing and thinking, the historical and philosophical reasons for those differences, and the implications for the kind of arguments that are produced. You will also learn how adopting these different styles can affect and inform your own way of thinking and arguing, and you will be encouraged to assess which of these styles better suits your skills and aims in studying philosophy.

This module has two aims: to introduce you to the various conceptions of philosophy that have existed over time, and to develop your interpretive skills through the study of classic texts. You will be introduced to five different conceptions of philosophy and study texts illustrative of each, together with critical commentaries.

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PHL1013: Philosophy of Morality

Almost daily we, both as individuals and as a society, are confronted with situations that are morally challenging. We are occasionally tempted to do things that we know to be wrong, and often we are not even sure what the right thing to do is. Amongst other things, we argue about the morality of abortion and assisted suicide, about animal rights and the rights of human embryos, about the permissibility of torture and the death penalty.

How do we know what is right and what is wrong? Philosophers have developed different theories that are meant to provide an answer. We will study these theories, look at various arguments that can be derived from them to show either the rightness or wrongness of certain actions or practices, e.g. abortion, and discuss their merits and weaknesses. No prior knowledge is required to complete this module.

The course introduces students to basic principles of the main contending moral theories and seeks to show how these are involved in assessing moral justifiability and obligation. It will also draw attention to the complex relation between moral theory and moral judgment on the one hand, and the factual status of the phenomena and situations to which moral reasoning and principles are applied on the other.

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BEE1006: Introduction to Finance

Summary:

This module should appeal to students who wish to obtain a better understanding of financial markets and are interested in further study/career in finance. Topics covered include the role of stock and bond markets and the mechanics of investment, principles of investment, and the present value model of investment.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

This is a highly practical module applicable across the globe. The tools (e.g., present value of cash flows) that are taught in this module can be used to evaluate investment opportunities anywhere in the world.

Sustainability

Lecture notes and other resources are available online on ELE (Exeter Learning Environment). The tools and analytical frameworks discussed in this framework are good starting points for students interested in green finance.

Employability

The skills students learn in this module are directly transferable to employment. Present value can be used to evaluate any type of investment (e.g., stock, bonds, or new projects). Through this module, students can also have better understandings of the financial markets (mainly bond and stock markets). These skills are relevant for jobs in corporate finance, consulting companies, investment banks and many other industries. This module also provides a good starting point for students interested in taking CFA Level I and CFA II exams.

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BEE1022: Introduction to Statistics

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding of statistics and probability that are required for the study of modern economics at undergraduate level.

As well as covering probability theory, descriptive statistics and inference, the module will introduce you to working with spreadsheets in MS Excel for the purpose of data organisation, descriptive statistics, probability and inference related tasks.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The content of this module is universal and applicable around the world. It includes international examples with real statistical data from countries such as China, India, Europe and the UK.

Employability

Knowledge of statistics is essential for any business or economics student, so this module provides students with a valuable theoretical and practical understanding of the subject, as well as weekly assignments that enable them to work consistently with continuity and discipline. Students will acquire transferable software skills that are valuable in the workplace.

Sustainability

All of the lecture notes and tutorial sets are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

- Descriptive statistics

- Probability

- Discrete and continuous random variables

- Bivariate distributions, conditional probabilities and conditional means

- Covariance, correlation, independence

- The expectation operator

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BEE1025: Statistics for Business and Management

Summary:

This course will familiarize students with the rudiments of statistics. Students will learn basic concepts of probability and statistical inference, focusing on an intuitive approach to understanding concepts and methodologies. Students will be introduced to statistical and critical thinking, including descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, interval estimation, and hypothesis testing.

Please also note that this module is not available to Maths students.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The content of this module is universal and applicable around the world. It includes international examples with real statistical data from countries such as China, India, Europe and the UK.

Employability

Knowledge of statistics is essential for any business or economics student, so this module provides students with a valuable theoretical and practical understanding of the subject, as well as weekly assignments that enable them to work consistently with continuity and discipline.

Sustainability

All of the lecture notes and tutorial sets are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

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BEE1032: History of Economic Thought

This module is an introduction to some of the great economists and their work including:

• Adam Smith
• Karl Marx
• John Maynard Keynes

The module will also provide you with an understanding of classical and neoclassical economics as well as the economics of today.

Additional information:

Internationalisation

• The focus is necessarily international, given that it is the history of global, not British or European, economic thought

Employability

• The transferable skills listed below are chosen with regard to employability: there is a particularly strong focus on good use of English

Research in Teaching

• The module draws on my own research in the subject

The module aims to:

• Introduce you to the great economists of the past
• Understand how economics evolved into what it is today
• Understand that the questions raised by contemporary economics are not the only important ones

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BEE1038: Introduction to Data Science in Economics

This module gives you practical experience in working with data and learning Python for analysis. You will learn how to prepare, analyse and visualise data, and how to apply a selection of commonly used data science techniques. A key feature of the module is a small independent project, where you choose a question that interests you, work with real data and produce clear, evidence‑based insights.

The aim is to help you understand, apply and interpret core data science methods while developing confidence in using programming to support analysis. If you want to build practical data skills that complement your statistical knowledge and are valuable across many disciplines and careers, this module offers a structured and accessible starting point.

Students taking this module should already have a good grasp of statistics.

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BEE1039: Introduction to Behavioural Economics

This module provides an introduction to the field of behavioural economics and focuses on the decision making processes, both as individual and in groups. The course focuses on some of the inherent biases in our decision processes and challenges the assumption of rationality in decision making. The course provides a number of examples of behavioural biases which reflect that we can be 'predictably irrational' in our decision making processes. Once we have established a better understanding of some of the inherent biases ion our decision processes, we then turn to discuss how public policy can 'nudge' individuals and groups to make better decisions using the knowledge we have developed. This includes a discussion on how we can affect decision making processes to increase savings rates, and making better decisions for the environment and our health. The course requires the ability to critically analyse readings and only a very modest amount of quantitative proficiency will be required.

Students will be assessed through a combination of a short (10-15 minute) group presentation where they will need to develop their own experiment which highlights a defined behavioural biases and a written exam where students will be required to answer essay based questions.

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BEE1040: Personal Finance

Why study personal finance? All of us must make decisions that have crucial implications for our financial wellbeing. Society places more and more responsibility on the individual to make informed financial decisions. As we grow older, we take on more responsibility for our lives and later for our families. Lifelong financial planning ensures that we live within our means, are able to mitigate the effects of life's misfortunes, and understand opportunities to increase our income and wealth when they arise.

This module develops an understanding of important household financial decisions in the context of lifelong financial planning by introducing important theoretical concepts, showing how actual calculations are made, and then discussing how these decisions are important for individuals and society. The individual decision is considered in the context of the macroeconomy, and, vice versa, how the state of the macroeconomy can then affect the individual.

In addition to practical knowledge that will be useful to all students studying the module, you are expected to take away a considerate perspective on the social dimension of personal financial decisions, in a world where financial illiteracy limits the progress of society. You will develop your critical thinking, numeracy, and logical thinking skills in this module.

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PHL1004: Philosophical Problems 1

This module will introduce you to the kind of philosophical thinking that is involved in solving, or at least addressing, concrete philosophical problems. Each lecture will focus on such a problem, which will take the form of a concrete real-world example. Throughout the module, and through the lens of these examples, we will cover many of the core areas of philosophy. What sets this module apart from other general introductions to philosophy is its focus on concrete problematic examples. These examples themselves will guide your thinking and discussion, rather than what some famous philosopher happened to say. There is no prior knowledge or experience required, and there are no pre-requisite or co-requisite modules.

The aims of this module are both general and specific. The general aims are to introduce you to a way of approaching concrete problems with both clarity of thought and methodological sophistication. However, it will also introduce you to the fundamental nature and underlying motivations behind core areas and debates in philosophy. Too often students are told to read the two sides of a debate in philosophy without being first given an appreciation of why the debates in question are taking place. In stark contrast, this module situates, grounds and motivates key debates in philosophy, so that you will understand why so much ink has been spilled on certain (often seemingly trivial or obscure) issues.

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PHL1005A: Evidence and Argument 1

Philosophers try to think rationally about the most general and abstract questions; for this reason, they spend a lot of time constructing and criticising arguments. This module introduces you to the basic principles of argumentative reasoning, including basic propositional and predicate logic; you will investigate what makes a good or a bad argument, and how to distinguish one from the other. This is an essential skill not only in science and philosophy, but also in politics and everyday life.

Consisting of a mixture of theory and practical exercises, this module will teach you the tools and skills necessary for analysing, evaluating and constructing arguments. You will learn to analyse texts taken from philosophy and the social sciences, assess the validity of arguments, identify the most common forms of pseudo-reasoning and evaluate the use of evidence in empirical science.

This module is suitable for all students in philosophy and other social science disciplines. No prior knowledge is required.

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PHL1010: Introduction to Asian Philosophy

This module introduces you to some of the most important philosophical traditions of Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. It analyzes and discusses ancient classical texts in these traditions, and looks at different conceptions of reality, selfhood, consciousness, meditation, virtue and self-cultivation.

At the end of the module, you will be familiar with major Asian philosophical traditions, their historical and social background, and their central concepts as discussed in major classical texts. You will be aware of the existence of spiritual traditions concerned with the practice of self-cultivation, and understand the relationship between meditative practices and philosophical worldviews.

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PHL1112: Philosophy of Film

In this module, you will watch and discuss 10 films, with a view to investigating the philosophically interesting problems that they raise. Topics discussed include horror films, film and ethics, film and politics and the ontology of cinema. This module is suitable for all students. It does not require a prior background in philosophy.

Films often address philosophically interesting topics, but not in the manner of abstract philosophical books or articles. A film, like any fiction, tells a story, in which a philosophical idea may be obliquely conveyed. But it is also a visual article, which can further clarify or complicate its philosophical meaning. The nature of cinema as a medium is a philosophically interesting topic in its own right. This module introduces you to a variety of philosophical problems through film, and asks what cinema may contribute - if anything - to our understanding of those problems

This module is intended as an alternative introduction to philosophical thinking, adding an audio-visual dimension to more text-based modules. The module prepares students for further studies at stages 2 and 3 by introducing them to various ways in which philosophical thinking can be applied productively to hypothetical and real life problems in a wide variety of contexts. The module also provides important analytical and interpretative skills essential in an increasingly visual social world.

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SPA1004: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

This module will introduce the core societal, philosophical and ethical issues raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLM) and provide a practical introduction to ethical use of Generative AI, with a focus on higher education. The module is suitable for all philosophy, sociology, criminology, anthropology, politics and international relations students who want to understand the philosophical issues related to AI and LLMs, and to acquire practical skills in the ethical use of AI.

• You will learn to identify and assess societal, philosophical and ethical issues raised by the development of artificial intelligence.
• You will learn research skills in ethically using Generative AI.
• You will develop core philosophical skills such as critical reflection, argumentation and clarity of expression.

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BEE2038: Intermediate Microeconomics

The module is designed to equip you with the key principles necessary for the analysis of a range of basic economic problems and policies. It seeks to increase your abilities to, independently, pose and solve economic questions, especially those relating to policy issues.

This module emphasises the fundamental conceptual foundations in microeconomics and key tools of microeconomic analysis and provides concrete examples of their applications.

You will develop understanding of how decisions by consumers, firms and government are interlinked, and impact on the overall level of economic activity. Analysis of contemporary economic events will be a key feature of the module, enabling the procurement of skills to assess the likely trends in economic variables that will facilitate decision making.

Internationalisation

This module covers economics from a business and policy point of view and incorporates many international examples and the world economy.

Employability

You will gain an awareness of the economy and economic laws and the effects this has on the decision making, which is a key skill required by company managers.

You will improve your analytical, logical, quantitative, and communication skills. You will cultivate the ability to apply tools and approaches from the Economics discipline to real-world problems in business and government policy, and to communicate these approaches to non-specialists.

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BEE2039: Intermediate Macroeconomics

Summary:

The module is designed to equip you with the key principles necessary for the analysis of a range of basic economic problems and policies. It seeks, in particular, to increase your abilities to independently pose and solve economic questions, especially those relating to policy issues.

This module follows BEE2038 Intermediate Microeconomics and focuses on macroeconomic issues and aims to both deepen and widen your formal knowledge of economic theory and its application.

You will develop a better understanding of how decisions by consumers, firms and governments are interlinked, and impact on interest rates, exchange rates on the overall level of economic activity. Analysis of contemporary economic events will be a key feature of the module, enabling the procurement of skills to assess the likely trends in macroeconomic variables that will facilitate decision making.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

This module covers economics from a business point of view and incorporates many international examples and the world economy.

Employability

You will gain an awareness of the economy and economic laws and the effects this has on the decision making, which is a key skill required by company managers.

External Engagement

You are encouraged to attend the open lectures from visiting speakers in the Business School.

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POL2046: The Economics of Politics

This module aims to provide you with the skills to critically evaluate and apply rational choice approaches as an analytical tool for the examination of political phenomena. First, it discusses the underlying assumptions and their theoretical and empirical implications for political analyses. Second, the seminar will make you familiar with core approaches introducing economic reasoning in the conceptualisation and in the analysis of politics. Third, it will introduce you to the applications of rational choice theory in comparative politics.

This module aims at providing you with the skills to critically evaluate and apply rational choice approaches as an analytical tool for the examination of political phenomena. First, it discusses the underlying assumptions and their theoretical and empirical implications for political analyses. Second, the seminar makes you familiar with core approaches introducing economic reasoning in the conceptualisation and in the analysis of politics. Third, it introduces applications of rational choice theory in comparative politics.

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POL2050: Political Philosophy

This module will introduce you to a range of positions in contemporary political theory and philosophy, familiarizing you with key texts, authors and debates, such as those concerning, liberty, justice, community, equality, identity, rights, morality, recognition, citizenship, power and the critique of power. You will be introduced to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches associated with these literatures and will explore some of their implications in the assessment of modern societies, their values, their institutional arrangements and the key question of how individuals with radically different beliefs about the good life can agree on rules to regulate political society.

This module should be of interest to any student of Politics, Philosophy or Economics interested in conceptual analysis and analytical argument.

To introduce students to a range of positions in contemporary political theory and philosophy, familiarizing them with key texts, authors and debates, such as those concerning, liberty, justice, community, equality, identity, recognition, citizenship, power and the critique of power. To introduce students to a range of theoretical/methodological approaches associated with these literatures and to explore some of their implications in the assessment of modern societies, their values and their institutional arrangements. To develop in students the ability to critically reflect about the nature and scope of political discourse.

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PHL2010A: Philosophy of Mind 1

In this module you will be introduced to the concept of 'The Mind'. You will consider what he mind is and discuss and be presented with conceptual issues that arise from these discussions. In the first half of the module, you will analyze the mind-body problem in its various facets: how it emerged, what it implies, and whether and how it can be overcome. At the end of the course, you will be familiar with major, classic and contemporary views, including "substance dualism", "property dualism", "behaviourism", "identity theory", "instrumentalism", "functionalism", and "eliminativism". You will demonstrate your knowledge of these theories, summarise and evaluate them and present and justify your own philosophical views with appropriate arguments. In the second half of the module, you will examine some central philosophical topics in recent philosophy of mind, such as the easy and hard problems of consciousness, the problem of mental causation, and puzzles concerning the nature, limits, and threats of artificial intelligence.

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PHL2015: Body and Mind

This module introduces current debates in phenomenology, philosophy of mind, and cognitive science over the extent to which our minds depend upon body and world. Many theorists argue that we can’t understand what minds are or how they work without considering how both the body-beyond-the-brain as well as our surrounding environments shape thought and experience. Some even argue that minds extend beyond skin and skull. This course investigates different ways of understanding these ideas, along with some of their philosophical, practical, ethical, and political consequences.

Questions include: How do embodied frameworks challenge traditional approaches to mind in philosophy and cognitive science? What is the relationship between movement, thought, and experience? What are some ways we experience and live through our bodies? Does the mind extend beyond the head? How does our body shape our experience of other people and the spaces we share? What does it mean to speak of bodies and space as political? What is an embodied approach to emotion? Gender? Race? Psychopathology? How does having a body shape our experience of self? How will emerging AI-powered technologies impact our bodily capacities?

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PHL2016: Metaphysics

Metaphysics has been concerned with philosophy's most fundamental questions and traditionally was thought of as drawing upon distinctively philosophical methods to answer questions that the sciences could not answer. For much of the 20th century 'metaphysics' was seen as an outdated and moribund pursuit by philosophers who believed that philosophy lacks any distinctive knowledge-begetting methods of its own. By the turn of the 21st century however, metaphysics had rebounded to become the fastest growing sector within philosophy. The module will provide you with an in depth study of the meaning of 'metaphysics', basic concepts of metaphysics and the nature of metaphysical inquiry into a variety of contemporary problems.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the place of metaphysics in the history of philosophy, to the challenges associated with the practice of metaphysics in contemporary thinking and with the principal problems that are presently addressed under the heading of metaphysics. You will become well versed in the nature of these problems and how one goes about addressing them from 'analytic', 'naturalistic' and 'critical' points of view.

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PHL2018: Philosophy of Language

This module will introduce you to one of the dominant contemporary traditions in philosophy. The Anglo-American analytic tradition places great emphasis upon understanding how language works, seeing the possibility of speaking meaningfully as an essential precursor to any philosophical endeavour. The module will provide you with a grounding in the basic philosophical approaches to meaning and reference, and in the canonical debates on these topics over the last hundred years, including the work of Frege, Quine, the verificationists, and the Ordinary Language philosophers.

The module seeks to familiarise you with the central place that philosophy of language occupies in contemporary analytic philosophy, with the influential positions that have been adopted by major figures in the field, and with the key points of the debates between them. You will gain a thorough overview of the philosophy of language, and the grounding necessary for more advanced study in analytic philosophy.

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PHL2043: Philosophical Research

In your philosophy degree thus far, you will have explored a range of philosophies and philosophers, many of which/whom represent the research interests of your lecturers. But have you ever wondered how your lecturers come up with their research ideas, and how their research actually develops? In other words, have you ever wondered what philosophy lecturers and researchers actually do when they're not in the classroom? This is a 'team taught module', in which you'll hear from several Exeter philosophy lecturers and researchers about their current research: what led them to their current research interests, how they developed their current research projects, and what their most recent discoveries, arguments and conclusions are. This module will introduce you to research in philosophy by engaging with the research, and research methods, of the philosophers at Exeter, and learn how to develop your own philosophical research project. The module functions as a precursor to the 3rd -year philosophy dissertation module (although, please note that this module is not a pre-requisite for PHL3040).

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PHL2118: Moral Agency in Social Context

The core theme of this module is the extent to which, and ways in which, moral perception, judgement and action may be socially conditioned and constrained. It consists in examination of the social conditions of morality, moral belief, moral agency, and moral responsibility, addressing such questions as: Is moral consciousness and agency determined by individuals' social conditions of existence, or are individuals' moral beliefs and agency internal powers that actively contribute to social reproduction and change? It will look at philosophical analyses of the nature and conditions of morality, and of the relation between individual moral agency and social context. It will examine these ideas in relation to the major social and economic institutions of modern society, such as, the maintenance and abolition of slavery, the justice and necessity of economic inequalities, obligations to aid people suffering life-threatening poverty, and the relationship between moral or political belief and action in conformity with such belief.

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BEE2010: Philosophy of Economics

Summary:

This module aims to introduce you to concepts and debates in the philosophy and methodology of economics within the wider context of the philosophy of science. You will be introduced to the debates concerning the definition of economics (how should economics be defined: study of choice, of interaction, of wealth, of conflict, etc.?), you will study the role played by models and rationality in economic theory, what method is generally followed by economist and what method, if any, should be followed according to the philosophers of science (inductivism, deductivism, falsificationism etc.), finally you will study some of the new trends in the discipline such as Rhetoric and Humanomics, which provide a more comprehensive vision of the economic actor as a human being in all its dimensions and try to overcome some of the shortcomings of the discipline.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

This module introduces you to the methodology of economics within the wider context of philosophy of science which is relevant across the globe, because it concerns not a specific discipline but how to approach scientific inquiry, in general. The constant critical focus of questioning received assumptions will prove essential in a multi-cultural and open society (Popper, who famously proposed the notion of an open society, is indeed one of the authors being studied in this module).

Sustainability

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BEE2021: Policy Issues in the Global Economy

Summary:

The module covers a range of topics including international trade policy issues, and issues concerning international capital flows. The module will provide tools for analysis of the key economic trade-offs that shape decision-making in a globalised world.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

As indicated by the title, this module explores policy issues in the global economy. It is specifically designed for students who want to work in a globalised context and equips them with the skills to analyse international issues.

Employability

In this module you will gain an understanding of international economic models, and the skills to analyse the issues you may encounter in an international setting. You are equipped with theoretical knowledge and understanding that would pave the way towards a career in international institutions like the IMF, World Bank, World Trade Organisation, European Central Bank and the European Commission.

Sustainability

All of the resources for this module are available through the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

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BEE2030: Economics and Ethics

All economic policy involves the application of value judgements to positive propositions about the consequences of alternative actions. This module studies economic policy to determine how these value judgements are, and should be, formed. Areas include distribution, international and intergenerational justice, environmental issues affecting future generations, the case for growth, the economics of happiness and the costs and benefits of saving or destroying lives.

The assessment structure on this module is subject to review and may change before the start of the new academic year. Any changes will be clearly communicated to you before the start of term and if you wish to change module as a result of this you can do so in the module change window.

All economic policy making involves applying value-judgements to positive analysis of the consequences of alternative policies. We currently study the latter intensively but not the former. This module will fill the gap. It is also aimed to contribute towards your employability by increasing your literacy and capacity for logical thought.

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BEE2033: Public Finance

This module is about fundamental questions in the economics of the public sector: how should decisions be made about whether particular tasks should be undertaken by the public sector or the private sector? It therefore deals with public goods, policies with respect to external effects and so on. The course then develops the criteria by which a tax or possible tax reform can be assessed and applies them to the development of tax policy.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The broad scope of this module means internationalisation is embedded in the course content with examples being drawn from different countries as well as an analysis of the tax and public expenditure implications of globalization.

Sustainability

Sustainability is included in the issues involved, for example in the analysis of corrective taxation such as pollution taxes.

Employability

Employability will be enhanced by the development of analytical skills.

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BEE2034: Environmental Economics

This module will introduce you to the fundamental insights and methods of environmental and resource economics. The module will explore a wide range of environmental problems including pollution, waste, climate change, over- fishing and the depletion of natural resource stocks . In each case, you will learn about the economic drivers of the environmentally damaging behaviour. Moreover, you will be shown how those insights can be used to suggest solutions to environmental problems based on the adoption of policies or treaties crafted with the careful ap plication of economic reasoning.

This module will:

• Provide you with the microeconomic tools needed to analyse fundamental contemporary questions concerning environmental economics.
• Help you to understand contemporary issues in environmental economics and public policy concerning industrial pollution, climate change and resource extraction.

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BEE2035: Family Economics and Policy

The module examines the nature and behaviour of households in modern economies. The module will introduce a supply and demand model of the marriage market, the analysis of household production and division of labour in the family, gains from marriage, matching in the marriage market, divorce, intra-household bargaining, economics of fertility, and birth control. The module contains both theoretical and empirical components and will include the interpretation of estimates from econometric analysis.

• Provide you with the microeconomic tools needed to analyse fundamental contemporary questions concerning the individuals' behaviour inside and outside the family.
• Help you to understand contemporary issues in economics and public policy and society overall, concerning the formation and dissolution of families, race inequalities, work and family decisions, and children.

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BEE2042: Behavioural Insights for Business and Management

This module provides an overview of key insights from behavioural economics and explores their application to decision-making in business, economics, and management contexts. It will introduce you to the core theories and concepts of behavioural economics and demonstrate how these can be used to explain and inform the decisions of stakeholders, employees, and consumers, as well as address business and policy-relevant issues. The module emphasises conceptual foundations, including core assumptions and models, alongside problem-solving and practical applications.

The aim of the module is to enable you to examine economic behaviour from a behavioural perspective, develop analytical insights, and apply these insights to a range of business and management-related contexts.

Quantitative skills are developed through problem sets, group work, and student presentations, while critical thinking and communication skills are fostered primarily through tutorial activities.

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BEE2045: Economics of Diversity and Inclusion

This optional second-year module will focus on the Economics of Diversity & Inclusion. You will learn about the traditional theories of discrimination and extend your knowledge in topics like discrimination based on gender, race, disability, age, nationality, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation. The literature discussed in this module will be primarily on discrimination but most of the methods and approaches can be also applied in other fields like labour, education, and health. Overall, this module focuses on building your knowledge on different topics in Diversity & Inclusion that economists research on.

The intended audience is second- or third-year students. Students will benefit from having a basic knowledge of economics and statistics.

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of diversity and inclusion as an economic problem. Students will develop their skills in applying theoretical economic and empirical tools to examine the issues of diversity and inclusion. Students will be exposed to landmark research papers in the field. By combining theory with empirical techniques and results, students will learn how to critically examine data, participate in economic debates, and analyse policy. Students will also have a better understanding of existing employment non-discrimination laws and be able to advocate for Diversity & Inclusion from an economic and business perspective.

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HAS3999: Study Abroad

The Study Abroad programme enables you to undertake a year-long study placement at a partner university outside of the UK, as part of your degree programme.

This module serves as the administrative mechanism for recording the Study Abroad assessment results of students within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). Students participating in the Study Abroad programme and based in a HASS department (except for the Law School, the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Modern Languages, and the School of Education) will be registered on this module during their Study Abroad placement year.

The Study Abroad programme widens the range of modules available to you during Stage 3 of your degree programme; enables you to broaden your academic horizons by studying in a different learning culture and (where relevant and appropriate) in languages other than English; and aims to promote resilience, independence, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

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HAS3998: Employment Experience

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement during the third year of a four year “with Employment Experience” programme. You will use one or more work placements to gain skills that equip you to work in the employment market and to improve your knowledge of the work environment. You are encouraged to think about the intercultural competence and the employability skills that you acquire during your year.

To progress to this module, you will have secured a suitable placement for a minimum of 26 weeks.

Having developed the skills necessary to find relevant roles and apply for roles in the graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to develop work-related skills and experience that will further enhance your success in the graduate labour market and support your future career choices.

During your placement year you will be supported by the Module Convenor and Placement Team.

The module assessment structure provides opportunity and support for you to evaluate your skills and achievements using personal development techniques.  You will also write an Employer Report to showpiece the culmination of your academic and business skills.

This module aims to:

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BEE3068: Economics Dissertation

Summary:

Those with at least 60 credits of BEExxx modules by the end of their second year can undertake their own in-depth research study into a subject of interest related to economics. You will benefit from having the opportunity to plan and manage your individual piece of research on a topic of their choice, which may not have been covered in depth during regular modules, or pursue in some depth a topic in which they have a specific interest. This Dissertation module is supported with research methods classes.

Information:

You are expected to be pro-active and seek and apply advice from the module leads and their supervisors.

Employability:

This module offers the potential of enhanced employability through demonstrating a deep understanding the process of economics research, the statistical analysis of data to address economic questions, the application of academic literature to real-world issues and the potential to develop expertise in a particular area of economics. Furthermore, the module offers you the opportunity to develop a sample of your own research and writing which you can showcase to potential employers.

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BUS3001: Dissertation

Students from across the Business School can undertake their own in-depth research study into a subject of interest related to their degree programme. They will benefit from having the opportunity to plan and manage their individual piece of research on a topic of their interest, which may not have been covered in depth during regular modules. This Dissertation module is supported with classes that explain the process, the principles of management research, and provide guidance on working with supervisor.

With guidance from supervisors and the module lead, students may choose one of three assessment formats.

These are:

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PHL3040: Philosophy Dissertation

The writing of a philosophy dissertation offers you the opportunity to engage in a research project on a topic of your own choice. Guidance and support include discussions with the module convener, allocation of an expert academic supervisor and participation in small discussion groups of students working on similar topics. The main aim is for you to select a topic and way of working on a philosophical problem that suits you and through which you can show your acquired skills in independent research, philosophical analysis and writing. You may choose to engage with and discuss a specific traditional or current problem, a particular author or book, or write a philosophical essay on a current ethical, social or epistemological problem.

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POL3040: Dissertation

The dissertation module will equip you with a detailed knowledge of one particular topic within the discipline. You will gain an ability to design and carry out independent research - with the support and supervision of a member of academic staff. Each dissertation is a unique research project shaped by your own research interests and ideas, yet also compliant with the standards or rigour and validity of academic research. This means that there is both an art and a skill to writing a dissertation, which makes the process both challenging and rewarding.

This module aims to equip you with necessary knowledge and skills to conduct research on the research question of your choice resulting in a dissertation within one of the areas of politics, including political science, or political theory, or political philosophy, or International Relations. It is taught by using a series of dissertation skills sessions that introduce you how to design, research for and write up your dissertation; by drawing upon one-to-one supervision meetings working with one of the members of staff, and most importantly, based on your independent research.

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