Introduction to Economics

(tylko po angielsku) This is an introductory course to economics. It explores the basic theory of micro- and macroeconomics, supporting it with empirical data. Through various exercises, students learn how to apply and test different theoretical assumptions to resolve real-life economic cases.

The course curriculum comprises of three parts. The first part (4-5 academic hours) is devoted to the presentation of different schools and paradigms of economic analysis, it offers and overlook on economic methods and basic assumptions of economic analysis.

During the second part (11-12 academic hours) students study the basic principles of microeconomics including supply and demand model, consumer choice theory and the theory of costs.

The third and the last part (24 academic hours) is devoted to macroeconomics. Students learn basic macroeconomic concepts (GDP, economic growth, inflation, unemployment, interest rate, exchange rate) and the principles of short-term and long-term analysis. Through different exercises, they explore the instruments and principles of fiscal and monetary politics.

(tylko po angielsku) On successful completion of the course, student:

EK1: has knowledge of the basic terminology of the economic sciences and principal market mechanisms at the macro- and microeconomic levels (K1W_13 +++)

EK2: has a foundation knowledge of international economic relations and European economic integration (K1W_14 ++)

EK3: has the ability to correctly apply the terminology pertaining to the academic disciplines in European Studies (K1_U05 +)

EK4: has the ability to apply the theories and schemas he/she has learned in the various fields of European Studies, to analyse developments and draw appropriate conclusions on the cause-and-effect relations between the observed phenomena (K1_U07 +)

EK5: is aware of the level of his/her knowledge and skills, and appreciation of the need for continual education and enhancement of his/her professional and personal skills; ability to plan his/her further development (K1_K01 +)

EK6: can precisely define objectives in his/her work and determine the priorities in their achievement (K1_K03 +)

(tylko po angielsku) 1. Formal requirement (must be fulfilled for the student to be classified): Attendance. Attendance is mandatory. Missing more than 50% of the classes will result in the failure of the course and the need to re-take it the following year.

2. First-term assessment

2.1. During the course students accumulate points.

2.2. The final grade depends on the number of points collected during the semester (students are not assessed as failed/passed on each task separately, but receive a final grade on the basis of the whole semester activity). Points can be gained from:

(1) Mid-term exam (maximum no of points: 30)

(2) End-term exam (maximum no of points: 40)

(3) In-class activity (up to 12 points (6x2points))

(4) Activity during e-learning classes (maximum no of points: 3x5points=15)

2.3. Exams (mid-term and final) have a written form and comprise of closed and open questions, as well as assignment.

2.3.1. Mid-term exam is based on the material covered during the first part of the course, namely: “Part 1. Introduction to economic analysis” and “Part 2. Microeconomics”

2.3.2. End-term exam covers the second part of the course, namely: “Part 3. Macroeconomics”

2.4. Activity points are given to those students who correctly and in a timely fashion resolve exercises during the classes and e-learning classes, as well as those who successfully engage in the preparation of additional (optional) topics.

2.5. The final grade is given according to the following scale ((1)+(2)+(4); maximum no of points: 85):

2,0 (fail): 0-44 points

3,0: 45-52 points

3,5: 53-60 points

4,0: 61-68 points

4,5: 69-76 points

5,0: 77 points and more

3. Second-term assessment

3.1. Students who receive a failing grade in the first-term (2,0) as well as those who have not written the exams (mid-term and end-term) and thus have received “NZAL” in the first-term, can and should try to pass the course in the second-term by writing the make-up exam.

3.2. Make-up exam has a written form and comprises of closed and open questions, as well as

exercises. It covers the whole material realized during the course (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3).

The maximum number of points to be gained from the make-up exam is 50.

3.3. The grade received in the second-term is based exclusively on the results of the make-up

exam. Activity points and results from previous exams are not taken into consideration in

the case of second-term assessment, as they were already included in the first-term

assessment.

3.4. In order to receive a passing grade in the second-term, students must receive at least 30

points from the make-up exam.

3.5. The failure to receive 30 points from the make-up exam will result in in the failure of the

course and the need to re-take it the following year.

(tylko po angielsku) The achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed in the following way:

Knowledge:

EK1 (K1_W13), EK2 (K1_W14) – participation in in-class discussions, class assignments/exercises, exams

Skills:

EK3 (K1_U05), EK4 (K1_U7) – participation in in-class discussions, class assignments/exercises

Social skills:

EK5 (K1_K01), EK6 (K1_K03) – analysis of the progress made by students during their participation in the course, assessed on the basis of students’ activity during all classes

E-learning
Metody podające - objaśnienie lub wyjaśnienie
Metody podające - prezentacja multimedialna
Metody podające - wykład informacyjny
Metody praktyczne - ćwiczenia przedmiotowe
Metody praktyczne - metoda projektów
Metody praktyczne - seminarium
Metody problemowe - klasyczna metoda problemowa
Metody problemowe - metody aktywizujące - dyskusja dydaktyczna
Metody problemowe - metody aktywizujące - metoda przypadków
Metody problemowe - metody aktywizujące - seminarium
Metody problemowe - wykład konwersatoryjny
Metody problemowe - wykład problemowy

(tylko po angielsku) Blended learning technique comprising of e-learning module and typical contact hours (seminars and lectures).

Ad 1. E-learning module (6 academic hours, equivalent of three two-hour classes) is prepared using Jagiellonian University e-learning platform and is available only to students registered for the course. E-learning classes comprise of either the combination of knowledge base and activities (quiz, forum, wiki, workshop) or a lesson.

Ad 2. In-class meetings (34 academic hours) are organized as active contact hours. They may take a form of a lecture, a seminar or a seminar with elements of lecture. The form depends on the topic discussed and each time is signalized in the detailed plan of the course (see below).

A typical lecture consist of:

(1) presentation of mayor concepts, theories and analytical framework

(2) analysis of the statistical data provided by the teacher

(3) in-class discussion (open discussion, think-per-share, team-based learning, brainstorming, backchannel, flipped classroom, problem-based learning)

A typical seminar consist of:

(1) overview of mayor concepts and models

(2) in-class assignment (group or individual) as a dominant element of a class

(3) text analysis (for each seminar students are asked to read a text assigned by the teacher and comment on it during classes)

(tylko po angielsku) 40h participation in seminars and e-learning classes

40h individual work to prepare for in-class discussions (including required readings for seminars) and e-learning classes

20h preparation of class assignments and exercises

60h preparation for exams