Introduction to Economics

Code:

CC028

Acronym:

IECON

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Economics

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Communication Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CC	150	Study plan	1	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The goals of this course are fundamentally two:

(1) understand some basic economic principles and instruments; (2) understand the aggregate movements of contemporary economies; (3) know the principal schools of economic thought

Learning outcomes and competences

The UC intends that the approved student has acquired the following essential skills:

1 - Explain the concepts of opportunity cost and reserve price;

2 - Apply the cost-benefit principle to economic decision problems;

3 - Understand the model of supply and demand and the functioning of a perfect competition market;

4 - Master the essential aspects of the concepts of the main macroeconomic variables;

5 - Understand the complexity of economic systems and the relevance of the political-institutional framework for determining the stages of economic growth.

6 - Know some of the main perspectives of economic thinking

Working method

Presencial

Program

Part I – ECONOMICS AS A SOCIAL SCIENCE
1.1 – Economics and Opportunity Cost
1.2 – Supply and demand model
1.3 – Macroeconomic variables and macroeconomic policies
1.4 – Measurement of economic activity
1.5 – Economic growth vs Economic development 

Part II - POLITICAL ECONOMY
2.1 –
2.2 – Comparative Economies
2.3 – Economic thought: a brief introduction

Mandatory literature

Mankiw N. Gregory; Introdução à economia. ISBN: 85-352-0853-4
Valier, Jacques; Breve história do pensamento económico, Ed. Texto & Grafia, 2014
Rosser, J. & Rosser, M.; Comparative economics in a transforming world economy., The MIT Press., 2004
Maddison, A. ; Dynamic forces in capitalist development. , Oxford University., 1991

Complementary Bibliography

Samuelson P., Nordhaus W.; Economia, McGraw-Hill, 2012. ISBN: 9789899717237
Karl Marx; Manifesto comunista
Adam Smith; Riqueza das nações, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian , 2014

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository and interactive classes, using audiovisual aids. 

Software

MS Word
MS Excel

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	112,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Distributed evaluation without final exam:

 

The distributed evaluation consists of 2 tests.

Minimum classification: passing the distributed evaluation imples a minimum classification of 7.5 points in each test.

 

Calculation formula of final grade

In the distributed evaluation, the final classification of the student is given by:

50% x 1st test score + 50% x 2nd test score

Examinations or Special Assignments

According to FLUP regulation

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to FLUP regulation

Classification improvement

Exam in the second season (Supplementary Exams Season)