The course aims to provide students with the methodological tools for understanding the relationships between macroeconomics and regional economic policy, of which the main measures undertaken by the European Union will be presented.
It aims to improve the student's analytical skills and synthesis through the study of the theories and knowledge of the strategies of the Regional Economic Policy of the European Union. In particular, the Cohesion Policy aimed at achieving the convergence and integration between states and regions of the EU, with particular reference to the use of the Structural Funds.
A final study will be dedicated to the ongoing debate on the development of policies for the socio-economic cohesion.

First part. The territorial dimension of the contemporary economic development and the regional economic policy instruments.
1. The inter-regional mobility of factors: the neoclassical model.
2. Theories of structural imbalance: circular causation, development poles, filtering-down.
3. Export-led development models and policy implications.
4. The theories of growth: productivity, technology, human capital.
5. The theory of endogenous growth.
Second part. The Regional Economic Policy of the European Union.
6. Strategies:
- The Plan for Sustainable Spatial Development;
- Sustainability, cohesion and public spirit;
- Economic and social cohesion: the stages, phases, tools;
- The reform of cohesion policy.
7. The objectives and tools:
- Socio-economic development;
- Balanced development;
- Sustainable Development;
- Structural Funds and financial institutions.

Knowledge and understanding: the student, upon completion of the course, will know how European economic policy works.

Applied knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to understand and analyze the mreccanisms of the transfer of monteraia policy on the real economy.

Making judgements: the student will have developed a critical ability to evaluate the goodness of the proposed solutions and the achievement of the objectives announced by the EU.

Communication skills: the student will learn to communicate the knowledge acquired. 

Learning skills: the student will have an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in previous courses by integrating it with the additional professionalizing skills that characterize the course.

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

The teaching material and specific communications from the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures, seminars, dissertations.

Attendance

It is highly recommended to attend regularly the course.

Course books

Lecture notes by the teacher and literature concerning essays, articles and research.
Students must prepare for the exam on the following material:
 

A.    Investment for jobs and growth

In Sixth report on social and territorial economic cohesion

(https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/cohesion6/6cr_it.pdf)

• Chapter 6. Evolution of cohesion policy (pp. 179-212)
• Chapter 8. Cohesion policy in the 2014-2020 period (pp. 235-276)

B.    Cohesion in Europe in the run-up to 2050

In Eighth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion.

(https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/cohesion8/8cr_it.pdf)

• Executive Summary (pp. I-XXVI)
• Chapter 2. A Smarter Europe (pp. 6-63)
• Chapter 5. A more social and inclusive Europe (pp. 135-186)
• Chapter 6. A Europe closer to the citizens (pp. 187-2012)
• Chapter 8. National investment and cohesion (pp. 241-266)
• Chapter 9. The impact of cohesion policy (pp. 267-300)

C.    European Central Bank (Annual Report)

In Annual Report 2021

(https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/annual/html/ecb.ar2021~14d7439b2d.en.html)

• Economic Outlook (pp. 6-36)
• Monetary policy (pp. 37-66)
• The European financial sector (pp. 67-81)

Assessment

The exam consists of a written test consisting of five questions covering the main topics covered in the course:

(a) Cohesion policy;
(b) The evolution of structural funds;
(c) The monetary policy of the ECB;  
(d) The Economic Policy of Europe.
(e) The EU's Sustainable Spatial Development Plan.

Each correct question corresponds to a maximum of 6 points. 

For papers produced while attending the course (done on a voluntary basis of the student), there is no specific mark but the possibility of grade improvement at the time of correction of the assignment (taking into account the themes and quality of treatment of the papers produced).

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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 ad for 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.