Economics

Course summary

Students are expected to keep their notes organised, to review lesson materials regularly, and to read ahead to prepare for forthcoming lessons. They will produce regular written work for marking in order to consolidate learning and assess their progress. In addition, we would like students to increase their awareness of current issues by reading newspapers and dipping into key resources such as the Economist and Economic Review magazines. The recent ‘credit crunch’ and its continuing aftermath served to reinforce the importance of Economics to our everyday lives. This course provides an opportunity to examine the different ways that the ‘invisible hand’ guides our everyday lives. The course covers fours topic areas: Theme 1: Markets, consumers and firms Theme 2: The wider economic environment Theme 3: The global economy Theme 4: Making markets work The course contains an element of data analysis and learners are expected to demonstrate skills of both quantitative and qualitative analysis. When considering this course, learners should be aware that they will need to be confident to both read and produce extended pieces of writing as well as analysing statistical data. Some calculations, such as rates of change, will be required.