Introduction to Economics

Code:

LRI010

Acronym:

INTECO

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Germanic Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Languages and International Relations

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LA	31	Study Plan - Applied Languages: Business Relations	2	-	6	1	3
LRI	92	Study Plan	1	-	6	1	3
		Study Plan - Minor in History	1	-	6	1	3
		Study Plan - Minor in German Studies	1	-	6	1	3
		Study Plan - Minor in English Studies	1	-	6	1	3
		Study Plan - Minor in Spanish Studies	1	-	6	1	3
		Study Plan - Minor in French Studies	1	-	6	1	3

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The course introduces students to the fundamentals of economics.The main topics under analysis constitute general themes within social sciences such as trade, inequality, poverty and unemployment.

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
- apply correctly basic economic concepts;
- develop a critical and reflexive stand in analysing economic data.

Program

1. Economics as a social science
1.1. The object of analysis
1.2. Fundamentals of Economics and main assumptions
2. Basic problems of economic organization
2.1. Scarcity and production possibilities
2.2. The “invisible hand”
2.3. State intervention in the economy

3. Analysis of perfectly competitive markets
3.1. Supply and demand
3.2. Market equilibrium

4. Factor markets
4.1. Land, labour and capital
4.2. Unemployment
4.3. Income distribution

Mandatory literature

Frank, R. e B. Bernanke ; Princípios de Economia, McGraw-Hill, 2003
Neves, J. L.C. ; Introdução à Economia , Editorial Verbo, Lisboa., 1992
Samuelson, P. A. e W. D. Nordhaus; Economia, Mc-Graw-Hill, 2001
Stiglitz, J. E. ; Economics, W. W. Norton, New York., 1997

Teaching methods and learning activities

TP classes include both lectures on the program topics and applied classes. OT classes are designed to accompany students in the learning process during the semester, focusing on practical exercises.

keywords

Social sciences > Economics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	56,00
Exam	Exame	2,00		2012-02-11
Work	Trabalho escrito	31,00		2012-02-11
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Preparation for the exam	Estudo autónomo	73	2012-02-11
	Total:	73,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are required to assist to a minimum of 75% of all classes (lectures and tutorial sessions). Students have also to conclude all the components of assessment with a minimum mark of 8 values.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark corresponds to the weighted average of the exam classification (75%) and the classification obtained in the work developed in the tutorial sessions (25%).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to FLUP’s regulations.

Classification improvement

According to FLUP’s regulations.