EC4421 Political Economics

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available to General Degree students with the permission of the Honours Adviser

Planned timetable

When confirmed, check online https://timetables.st-andrews.ac.uk/.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M Negri

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Margherita Negri

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Political Economy analyses how institutions shape economics policies in modern democracies. The module aims at providing an introduction to the field. The first part of the module will cover the tools. In the second part, the module will look at some of the frontier research in the field. Topics will include collective choice and voting, political accountability, redistribution, media, immigration and populism.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PERMISSION OF THE ECONOMICS HONOURS ADVISER

Assessment pattern

Written Examination = 50%, Coursework (incl. Class Test 25%) = 50%

Re-assessment

Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

20 hours of lectures over 11 weeks, 1-hour tutorial (x 5 weeks) plus 1 office hour (x 13 weeks).

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the main theories and models in political economy.
  • Learn microeconomic tools to study the behaviour of voters, politicians and parties.
  • Critically read a paper and present its main results with the use of slides.
  • Present concepts clearly and methodically with own words, but also using equations and diagrams.