Introduction to Economics

Year
1
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01008602
Subject Area
Economics
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

None

Teaching Methods

Lectures on the different contents of the course and tutorials based on solving problem sets made available to the students at the beginning of the academic year.

Learning Outcomes

This introductory course in economics uses the principles of economic analysis to provide students with a better understanding of fundamental economic problems thus being able to analyze and understand from an economic point of view problems faced by individuals and societies, applying basic economic concepts, and also applying economic reasoning to the analysis of current events.

The students should acquire a basic understanding of economics, that is a level of economic literacy sufficient to understand how the economy operates, as well as how some government policies affect the performance of the economy, and perceive that economic institutions are an important element of any larger social system, and major social changes are often influenced by economic forces and so economics is important for mastery of related disciplines such as sociology.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I – The scope and method of economics: the economic problem: scarcity and choice; economic systems and the basic economic problems; major economics schools of thought.

II – The organization and functioning of markets: consumer choice theory; production theory; costs of production theory; demand and supply; market structures.

III – Basic macroeconomic concepts.

Head Lecturer(s)

Lina Paula David Coelho

Assessment Methods

Final Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Continuous Assessment
Multiple choice tests (˜3) + Midterms (2) or Final Exam : 100.0%

Bibliography

SAMUELSON, Paul A., WILLIAM D. Nordhaus, Economia, 18ª ed., Lisboa, Editora McGraw-Hill de Portugal, 2005.

MANKIW, N. Gregory, Principles of Economics, International Edition, South-Western College, 2009.

DUARTE, Adelaide, Apontamentos sobre o circuito e contabilidade nacional, FEUC, Coimbra 2007.

DUARTE, Adelaide e SIMÕES, Marta, Séries temporais – uma introdução, FEUC, Coimbra 2008.

RAMOS, Pedro Nogueira, CONTAS NACIONAIS: Um breve texto introdutório, FEUC, Coimbra.