This module aims to give students a factual and theoretical basis to understand and critically evaluate possible responses to the key contemporary challenges faced by policy makers in the United Kingdom.
The module seeks to enable students to apply theoretical economic concepts to real problems in the areas of social housing, health, education, transport and environment. The module also covers the present and future challenges presented by Brexit and the recent financial crisis to policy makers.

(LO1) Students will be able to identify and explain policy responses to contemporary challenges.

(LO2) Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of economics and their application and relevance in the context of contemporary challenges like the financial crisis, Brexit, environmental and transport policy and in key areas of public provision such as health, education and housing.

(LO3) Students will be able to explain economic concepts such as quasi-markets and market failures and their application in relevant areas.

(LO4) Students will be able to conduct independent research using relevant secondary sources including economic data.

(LO5) Students will be able to critically evaluate the issues covered in the module in a clear international context.

(LO6) Students will be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the ethical dilemmas and ethical issues involved in the policy responses to the contemporary challenges covered in the module.

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) An Excellent Communicator

(S3) Digitally Confident

(S4) Globally Aware

(S5) Ethically Aware

Teaching Method - Lecture
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 24
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method: Seminar
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 6
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Seminars will discuss specific questions that should be considered in the assessments. These seminars will include a combination of structured exercises, discussion and analysis of current articles in the financial press and other questions.

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 120
Description: These independent learning hours are aimed at supporting the directed student learning. The module leader will provide guidance in the form of suggested readings and topics to examine with the expectation that students are well prepared to contribute to the tutorial activities and to understand the content of lectures. Self-Directed Learning will include research activity, developing academic writing skills, and wider reading to support the module

Non-modular Requirement s
ECON221 and ECON222 or ECON227. Students could also take equivalent intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics modules

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Problem solving skills
How this is developed: Students will face practical cases in the tutorials where they will have to explore ways to solve the proposed problems. The coursework will also need the application of problem solving skills to discuss how a firm could deal with contemporaneous events.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework and Examination

Skills / attributes: An Excellent Communicator
How this is developed: Students must explain how recent economic policies affect firms and individuals. This will require the use of communication skills in theirs course works and exam.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework and Examination

Skills / attributes: Digitally Confident
How this is developed: Students will use word processing to write t heir coursework. They will also use excel to get figures and tables; in some circumstances, they may use econometric software to estimate the impact of policies.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework

Skills / attributes: Globally Aware
How this is developed: Lectures and seminars, this module covers topics such as environmental policy or poverty that are globally relevant.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework and Examination

Skills / attributes: Ethically aware
How this is developed: Students must study corruption and how policies can tackle this problem.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Coursework and Examination

Political institutions, democratization and the role of social forces;
Government failures and corruption;
The rise of populism;
Health economics;
Environmental policy;  
Labour economics;
Economics of education.