2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS1291 Economic Perspectives and Controversies

20 creditsClass Size: 310

Module manager: Gary Slater
Email: g.slater@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

LUBS1620 Schools of Thought in Economics and LUBS1290 Economic Controversies

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

What is economics about? How is economics done? Why has there been so much criticism of economics in recent years and why don't economists agree? This module considers why economics is a controversial subject. It explores the practice of economics, examining controversies relating to how economists seek to understand the world and how the structure of the discipline itself influences that approach. Whilst it is shown that economics is currently dominated by a particular approach – ‘the mainstream’ - the module takes a pluralist perspective, contrasting this with a range of alternative schools of thought in economics Students will develop an understanding of different schools of thought and how they may help us to make sense of the world around us. In doing so, through examination of a range of current issues and controversies, the module will enable students to identify the underlying assumptions and perspectives in various economic and policy debates and arguments.

Objectives

This module will provide students with an introductory understanding of the nature and methods of economic inquiry, focusing on the use of models in economics, and some of the resulting methodological and ethical issues. Through application to a range of contemporary issues and economic controversies, alternative schools of thought will be introduced and compared to each other and to mainstream economic models.

Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:-

1. Outline the mainstream approach to economics and review contemporary criticisms of its approach to model building.

2. Identify key features that characterise and differentiate schools of thought in economics.

3. Interpret contemporary issues from the perspective of competing schools of thought in economics.

Skills Outcomes

4. Identify key features of arguments and discussions

5. Begin to critically analyse arguments and discussions

6. Express arguments concisely

7. Engage in synthesis

Syllabus

Indicative content

The module will explore what economics is, how economics is done and why that is seen by some as controversial. It will outline the mainstream approach to economics and some contemporary criticisms.

Through the exploration of a range of current issues and controversies in economics, the module will introduce and compare the perspectives of different schools of thought in economics (for example, institutional, radical, feminist) both to each other and in contrast to the mainstream.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	2	2.00	4.00
Lecture	18	1.00	18.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			168.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Private study on the module will combine directed reading and directed watching of related videos and podcasts with self-directed engagement with materials students locate themselves.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Online discussion forums such as padlet will be used throughout the module, facilitating staff and peer feedback to students. During seminars and workshops, students will receive feedback on their engagement with group and individual tasks.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 word essay	70.00
Poster	Poster	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit by individual essay of up to 3,000 words (100%)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/07/2023

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