Economics in practice

The course is offered in the first cycle and is included in the third semester of the Bachelor’s Programme in Business and Economics (S1EKA). It is not offered as a freestanding course.

Department of Economics

The main objective of this course is that students will learn to use economic theory and methods to be able to analyse several different societally relevant and sustainability-related questions. The course will help students to practically apply their accumulated knowledge in economics.

The course consists of three parts that all focus on sustainability. Two parts of the course use an economics approach and econometrical methods to analyse societally relevant and sustainability-related questions. Students will also learn to interpret results from these kinds of analyses, which can be implemented on both micro- and macroeconomic questions and problems. In the third part of the course students will write a report where they in a group will analyse one sustainability-related question.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Identify relevant approaches for discussing and evaluating different societal questions related to sustainability from an economics perspective, as well as critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses of these types of evaluations. 
2. Use economic theory and elementary econometrical analysis to analyse sustainability-related questions in economics.
3. Write a report and conduct an oral presentation about a societally relevant and sustainability-related question by using theories and methods in economics.

The course includes lectures, data analyses, group exercises, and seminars. A significant portion of the knowledge acquisition in the course is achieved through individual work in the form of several assignments. The seminar with an oral presentation is mandatory.

Language of instruction: English

All the learning outcomes are assessed through group assignments in the form of laboratories/data analysis and on a written report where the oral presentation also will be evaluated. The written report also includes an individual written part.

The individual part of the report shall be written individually, cooperation in formulating text, tables, figures etc. is not allowed. Absence from compulsory elements of the course can be replaced with alternative assignments.

In cases of extensive examination materials, the programme director, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for First- and Second- cycle Examinations at the University of Gothenburg, may grant extended time for the examiner to communicate examination results to students.

A student who has taken two exams in a course or part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner. The student needs to contact the department for a new examiner, preferably in writing, and this should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special educational support, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, the examiner may decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years, after the course has ceased/been changed.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

Each examined element of the course needs to be passed in order to obtain a pass grade on the course. An examined element that is not passed can be supplemented to a pass grade. The grade for the whole course is based on assessment of all examined elements of the course.

Upon completion, the course will be evaluated in accordance with the rules for course evaluations established by the Bachelor’s Programme in Business and Economics at the School of Business, Economics and Law. The results of the evaluation as well as any changes to the course structure shall be communicated to both the students who completed the evaluation and the students who are enrolled in the subsequent round of the course