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EC1209 INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED ECONOMICS

SEMESTER TWO 2018/2019

This unit aims to build upon the concepts introduced in the first
semester in EC1001 through direct application of theoretical and political
perspectives, using a range of statistical methods. These will be applied to a
number of current issues to formulate policy prescriptions in the areas under
discussion. Many of the topics introduced in this module will be studied in
greater depth at the second and third year levels.

The lectures will concentrate on the theory and policy issues,

generally highlighting the debates and controversies generated by differing
economic perspectives. The seminars will introduce the statistical methods,
and for this reason you must bring with you, to each seminar, a calculator
capable of performing square root and x2 calculations. You will also require
a calculator for the examination, as these will not be provided. (NB
examination regulations preclude the use of programmable calculators).

You have been allocated to a seminar group and you must attend the
seminar group in which you have been placed.

Lectures will begin promptly at 10:00 and latecomers are not allowed
to enter the room. Any queries that you may have arising from the lectures
must be addressed in the seminar and not in the lecture. In the lectures, I
speak and you listen and take notes. Because of the structure of the module it
is very important that you attend all of the seminar sessions as it is in this
forum that the statistical techniques are explained and illustrated, and these
make up a large element of both the coursework and the examination.

Assessment will consist of one piece of coursework and a two-hour

end of semester examination. The weighting for the two elements will be
50/50. Work handed in late will be given the most severe penalty available
to me and you are advised to keep a copy of your coursework. The
coursework must acknowledge all sources within the text and include a
bibliography, not to do so will constitute plagiarism and will result in failure
of the piece of work.
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If an element is failed, reassessment may be allowed but in such a

situation the maximum mark for the module as a whole will be 40%.

A debriefing session will take place once the assignments have been
marked at which I will go through your assignment with you, pointing out
areas in which you could improve and highlighting any areas of good
practice. In this way you will be able to improve both the structure and the
content of your assignments.

For the benefit of all, please show respect in the lectures by turning
off all electronic devices for the duration of the lecture and by maintaining
an attentive and concentrated silence.

Attendance at both lectures and seminars is essential if you are to be

fully prepared, not only for the assessment, but also for your fruitful study of
Economics over the next few years. With this in mind, you must attend at
least 75 per cent of the seminars; otherwise you will fail the module and
be liable for reassessment.

Assessment Summary:-

Coursework → 40% of final mark

Examination → 60% of final mark

Attendance → 75% of all Seminars

Contact details

Bob Milward

Room: Greenbank 132

Telephone: ext.4697
email: RMilward@uclan.ac.uk
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LECTURE PROGRAMME

1. Overview of Applied Economics: Sources and Methods.

2. Mr. Smith; His Antecedents and Descendants. {Some Dead Economists}.
3. Public Expenditure.
4. Taxation.
5. Unemployment.
6. Inflation.
7. Poverty.
8. Underdevelopment.
9. The European Union.
10. International Trade.
11. De-industrialisation.
12. Revision.
SEMINAR PROGRAMME

Wk.2 Index Numbers

Wk.3 Averages
Wk.4 Frequency Tables.
Wk.5 Interquartile Range.
Wk.6 Statistical Inference.
Wk.7 Confidence Intervals.
Wk.8 Hypothesis Tests.
Wk.9 Correlation.
Wk.10 Regression.
Wk.11 Revision.
Wk.12 Revision.
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COURSEWORK

In approximately 1,500 words answer ONE of the following:-

a) Examine the proposition that there exists a correlation between

the rate of inflation and the level of unemployment. Explain the
significance of your results.
{note that you must carry out the necessary statistical
analysis as part of the assignment}

or b) Using appropriate statistics, investigate the argument that,

within the European Union, lower taxation produces higher
economic growth.
{note that you must carry out the necessary statistical
calculations as part of your analysis}

Coursework to be posted in my box on the Ground Floor of Greenbank

Building, with an Assessment Submission Sheet attached to the front.

Deadline: Friday 3rd May 2019, 2.00 pm.

BOB MILWARD
January 2019.