Department of Economics
NUI, Galway

Dr. Aidan Kane
EC213 Macroeconomics
---- Main course page
---- Course outline
---- PowerPoint slides
---- Macroeconomics links
------Tutorials
------ Assignments
------Web Project
------ Main page
------ Guidelines
------ Writing web pages
------ Posting web pages
-------- Tutorial/web groups
EC301 Irish Economy
-- Course outline
-- Sample exam paper
---- Readings
---- PowerPoint slides
----Web Project
---- Main project page
------ Projects 1999/2000
------ Projects 1998/1999
------ Irish Economy links
EC223 Introduction to Mathematical Economics
-- Course outline
-- Lecture Notes & Assignments
EC350 Research Project
-- Main Project Page
-- Programme of Work
-- Schedule 1999/2000
-- TutorialGroups
-- Format of a Project
-- Text and Type

EC301 Irish Economy

National University of Ireland, Galway

Semester I 1999/2000

Dr. Aidan Kane


Course Outline

Introduction

This one semester course is obligatory for final year B.Comm, B.Comm. with languages, final B.A. and B.A.(International). It is also open to Socrates students and other visiting students.

The course aims to give an account of the major policy issues facing the Irish economy, interpreting them in the light of economic theory and empirical evidence. The emphasis is not on `facts and figures' but on trying to organise our understanding of a complex reality using the simplifying tools of economic analysis.

Topics

  1. Economic performance and policy since 1922
  2. Perspectives on the nature of markets and the role of the state
  3. Growth, technological change and innovation policy
  4. Labour markets, human capital markets and education policy
  5. Public finances: policy and institutions
  6. Sectoral analyses (the primary sector, manufacturing, services)
  7. Inequality and poverty
  8. Economic sovereignty and globalisation

Reading

There is no core text for this course. The reading list contains details of on-line and other readings. Some additional readings may be added to this list, as the Semester progresses.

You are strongly advised to make an effort to follow current economic policy developments, domestically and internationally, as reported in the news media. In particular, you are encouraged to read The Economist news magazine each week, the Irish Times and The Sunday Business Post.

Assessment

All students are required to take the end of Semester examination (two hours). A sample paper and detailed guidelines will be provided later in the semester. Examination papers from before last year are not relevant to this course..

There will also be a writing option, intended especially for students who are majoring in economics, but open to all. This will consist of a draft section of a proposed web site on the Irish economy. Students who take this option will receive a grade which will account for 35\% of the marks in this course, with the semester examination accounting for the remaining marks.

I will advise you further of this option. For the moment, you may want to check out last year's web project arrangements.

Contact

My office is Room 46 on the first floor of St. Anthony's. I am happy to see students throughout term, on condition that you make an appointment via email: aidan.kane@nuigalway.ie.

Dr. Aidan Kane September 1999