The course aims to provide students with the tools to analyze the problems, choices and effects of economic policies. The course analyzes the basic theories, models and problems of macroeconomic policy, with emphasis on fiscal, monetary, exchange rate and balance of payments, growth and employment policies. Special attention is given to the European dimension and the analysis of income and wealth inequality.

• The foundations of economic policy
• Economic policy in an imperfect world
• Fiscal policy
• Monetary policy
• International financial integration and currency policy
• Fiscal policy
• Labor policies
• Growth policies
• Income and wealth distribution, redistributive effects of tax policies and government spending, causes and consequences of inequality.

• Political Economy

- Knowledge and ability to understand: general knowledge of the theories and operation of economic policies is expected to be acquired

- Applied knowledge and understanding: the acquisition of the ability to apply general knowledge to economic policies examined in the course is expected

- Autonomy of judgment: an ability to critically evaluate economic policies is required

- Communication skills: a good ability to expound the knowledge acquired is required

- Ability to learn: it is expected to develop the ability to learn, combining theories and practices of economic policy

-Ability to have access to international databases and produce elementary data processing

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Lecture slides and targeted individual office hours.

Teaching

Lectures, seminars and working groups.
Attending students may be offered the formation of working groups and the preparation of term papers for presentation in the exam.

Innovative teaching methods

The face-to-face teaching mode will be enriched with exercises and in-depth studies, both individual and group. Some course topics will be covered following the practice of "flipped lesson" and Problem-based learning. Debates (regulated debates) will also be encouraged during class.
 

Attendance

It is highly recommended to attend regularly the course.

Course books

A. Bénassy-Quéré, B. Coeuré, P. Jacquet, J. Pisani-Ferry, Politica economica. Teoria e pratica (Seconda Edizione). Bologna, Il Mulino 2019

Materials provided by the lecturer for topics concerning the distribution of income and wealth.

Assessment

The final exam is a written test consisting of 5 open questions pertaining to the syllabus. The test lasts one hour. 

The open questions are intended to ascertain the student's ability to have acquired full mastery of the concepts covered during the course and to be able to expound his or her arguments clearly and in a limited time, using an analysis, formal and graphical, rigorous and punctual. 

The evaluation criteria are: the level of mastery of the theoretical knowledge, graphical and mathematical tools used; the degree of articulation of the answer; the degree of adequacy of the explanation; and the degree of accuracy of the graphical and formal analysis. 

Based on these criteria each question is awarded up to a maximum of 6 points. The examination is considered passed if the final mark achieved is 18 or above. The proposed assessment may:

- be rejected by the student. In this case, the exam must be retaken (only one option possible);

- accepted by the student;

- accepted with the addition of an oral test (which may increase or decrease the written assessment).

The results of the written test are published the same day or the day after the test itself. During the written test, students are notified of the time at which the results will be announced, they will be able to view the writing, regs the grade, and take the oral test for those who request it.

The final grade will also take into account any papers that students produce during the course.

The evaluation criteria and scores are based on the following scale:
- less than 18/30: insufficient level of proficiency. The candidate does not achieve any of the learning outcomes stipulated under "knowledge and understanding skills";
- 18-20/30: sufficient level of proficiency. The candidate specifically achieves the learning outcomes stipulated under the point "knowledge and understanding skills";
- 21-23/30: fully sufficient level of competence. The candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes stipulated under "knowledge and understanding skills" and "applied knowledge and understanding skills";
- 24-26/30: proficiency level: good. The candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes stipulated at the points "knowledge and ability to understand"; "knowledge and ability to understand applied" and "autonomy of judgment."
- 27-29/30: very good level of competence. The candidate achieves, in particular, the learning outcomes stipulated at the points "knowledge and ability to understand"; "knowledge and ability to understand applied"; "autonomy of judgment" and "communication skills."
- 30-30 cum laude: excellent level of competence. The candidate fully achieves the learning outcomes stipulated in the points "knowledge and understanding skills"; "knowledge and understanding skills applied"; "autonomy of judgment"; "communication skills" and "ability to learn".

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Same program of the attending students.

Attendance

Same program of the attending students.

Course books

Same program of the attending students.

Assessment

Same program of the attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The student may request to take the final exam in English with an alternative bibliography.