Introduction to Economics

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

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.

 

Evaluation: General regime (final exam – 100%) or continuous evaluation (intermediate tests - 100%).

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 problems faced by individuals and societies, applying concepts, and 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.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I – The scope and method of economics

I.1 – The economic problem: scarcity and choice

I.2 – Economic systems and the basic economic problems

I. 3 – Major economics schools of thought

II – The organization and functioning of markets

II.1 – Consumer choice theory

II.2 – Production theory

II.3 – Costs of production theory

II.4 – Demand and supply

II.5 – Market structures

III – Basic macroeconomic concepts.

Head Lecturer(s)

António Manuel Portugal Duarte

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

SAMUELSON, Paul A., William D. Nordhaus, Economia, 19ª ed., Lisboa, Editora McGraw-Hill de Portugal, 2011.

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.