Economics at Otago offers a selection of papers at 200-level.
ECON 201 Microeconomics
Teaching period: Semester 1 2024
Provides a working knowledge of microeconomic theories and applications. The objective is to 'make sense' of a wide range of interesting and commonplace economic phenomena relating to the behaviours of individuals, firms and government organisations. Topic areas will include: market and consumer choice theory, economic psychology, monopoly and government competition policy, the 'new economy', information and uncertainty, pricing, game theory, auctions, and the natural environment.
ECON201: prerequisites, restrictions, fees and timetables
Paper Coordinator: Viktoria Kahui
Course Outline: ECON201 – Semester 1 2024 (PDF)
ECON 202 Macroeconomics
Teaching period: Semester 2 2024
The purpose of this paper is to explore modern macroeconomic theory and practice. The paper covers both Keynesian and neoclassical theories. It aims to provide a balance between short run and long run issues and uses a variety of simple models. Topics covered include output and demand in the real economy, economic growth, the real exchange rate, the labour market, money and inflation, and business cycles.
ECON202: prerequisites, restrictions, fees and timetables
Paper Coordinator: Dennis Wesselbaum
Course Outline: ECON 202 – Semester 2 2024 (PDF)
Recommended preparation: One of QUAN 102, FINQ 102, MATH 102, MATH 160 or MATH 151.
ECON 206 The World Economy
Teaching period: Semester 2 2024
The aim of this course is to give students an increased awareness and appreciation of current issues in the global economy. This paper discusses how economic concepts can be applied to help us understand the ideas and institutions that formed the world economy and explores current global economic issues. These include the liberalisation of international trade; the sources and consequences of globalisation, especially from the perspective of developing countries; the costs and benefits of monetary unions; and currency crashes.
ECON206: prerequisites, restrictions, fees and timetables
Paper Coordinator: Trent Smith
Course Outline: ECON206 - Semester 2 2024 (PDF)
ECON 207 Environmental Economics
Teaching period: Semester 1 2024
This paper applies the tools of microeconomics to examine a variety of local and global environmental issues. Environmental economics deals with issues associated with the "tragedy of the commons", i.e., the inefficient allocation of natural resources to which access to varying extents is unrestricted, resulting, for example, in depleted fisheries, global and local atmospheric pollution, poor water quality, and damaged scenic vistas.
We develop economic models and methods to identify and evaluate public and private responses to inefficient use of these resources, including public regulatory restrictions and cost-benefit analysis, privatisation, pricing (taxes, subsidies, and tradable permits) and negotiation.
ECON207: prerequisites, restrictions, fees and timetables
Paper Coordinator: Viktoria Kahui
Course Outline: ECON 207 – Semester 1 2024 (PDF)
ECON 210 Introduction to Econometrics
Teaching period: Semester 1 2024
This paper provides an introduction to basic statistical and econometric techniques widely used in economics. Through problem-solving assignments and computer-based exercises, students learn how to apply relevant econometric methods to economic data and interpret the results from such analyses.
The focus is on conceptual understanding and 'hands on' applications using economic data drawn from real-world examples, rather than on formal theoretical proofs. By the end of the paper, students should be able to appreciate and interpret econometric analysis reported in many studies in economics and be able to carry out and interpret their own basic econometric analysis. Topics to be covered include: least squares estimation and inference, multicollinearity, dummy variables, heteroskedasticity, and specification and data problems.
ECON210: prerequisites, restrictions, fees and timetables
Paper Coordinator: Dorian Owen
Course Outline: ECON 210 - Semester 1 2024 (PDF)
ECON 271 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
Teaching period: Semester 1 2024
The paper presents an analytic approach to intermediate microeconomics and emphasises the fundamental conceptual foundations. The paper aims to demonstrate how microeconomics can be used to explain and predict household and firm behaviour and to demonstrate the effect of government policy on household and firm decision making.
During the paper you will develop problem-solving skills, so reinforcing your understanding of both microeconomic and mathematical concepts. By the end of the paper you should have enhanced your ability to reason logically and accurately.
ECON271: prerequisites, restrictions, fees and timetables
Paper Coordinator: Neha Agarwal
Course Outline: ECON 271 - Semester 1 2024 (PDF)
Economics papers at other levels
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