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EC417     
Advanced Macroeconomics

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Jane Olmstead-Rumsey SAL 1.12

Dr Maarten De Ridder SAL 1.11

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics. This course is not available as an outside option.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed Introductory Course for MSc EME (EC451).

Course content

Course objectives and main course elements:

1. The course will teach you the concepts used in empirical and theoretical macroeconomics.

2. The course will teach you the main empirical business cycle characteristics of developed economies and the main empirical findings regarding the growth of developed and less developed nations.

3. This course teaches you the main techniques used to analyse modern macroeconomics models. In particular, the course will focus on techniques such as dynamic programming, value function iteration, and the linearization of first-order conditions.

4. This course teaches you (prototype versions of) macroeconomic models used to analyse key questions related to business cycles and economic growth. Examples are New Keynesian models, Real Business Cycle models, the Solow growth model, and endogenous growth models.

5. The course will also discuss some more advanced models that have recently been developed to explain recent economic events, including models with heterogeneous agents, microeconomic shocks and labour market frictions.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the AT. 20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the WT. 1 hour of seminars in the ST.

There will be a reading week in Week 6 of WT only (no lectures or classes that week).

Some of the problem will sets will consist of computer and data assignments and students will be taught some basic programming and data analysis skills.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 60 hours across Autumn Term, Winter Term and Spring Term.

Formative coursework

Students are assigned problem sets. These problem sets focus on key elements of the lectures, but they will also promote creativity and critical thinking by going beyond the material explicitly discussed in the lectures. There will also be computer assignments. The problem sets will be discussed in weekly classes.

Indicative reading

  • Acemoglu, Daron, 2009, Introduction to Modern Economic Growth.
  • Ljungqvist, Lars and Thomas J. Sargent, 2012, Recursive Macroeconomic Theory.
  • Stokey, Nancy L. and Robert E. Lucas Jr., 1989, Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics.

Assessment

Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the spring exam period.
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the January exam period.

Key facts

Department: Economics

Total students 2022/23: 37

Average class size 2022/23: 13

Controlled access 2022/23: Yes

Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (MT & LT)

Value: One Unit

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills