Political Economics
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course presents the fundamental themes and concepts of political economics, analyzed in various geographical and chronological contexts, providing the methodological tools necessary for their understanding.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge of the fundamental concepts and themes of political economics in their space-time contexts; They will be able to interpret the data and information regarding a economic and political economic data set, and to communicate in a coherent and organic fashion the correct information, using the appropriate terminology of the discipline. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed data sets, which will take place from time to time, will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor via email or during office hours.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: Introduction to political economy
Part 1 (20 hrs-3 cfu): Fundamental elements of the national economy
Part 2 (20 hrs-3 cfu): Money, finance and international economics
Part 3 (20 hrs-3 cfu): Insights related to specific topics covered in the course
How is a nation's wealth defined and measured? What are the peculiarities of the capitalist economy? What are the rules and decisions that help determine how wealth is produced and distributed among the different factors of production? What is the function of money and finance? How do markets operate and how is the value of goods produced determined? What is the role of the state in the economy? What are the factors that contribute to a country's economic growth? What form do international trade and financial relations take? The course addresses these and other fundamental questions of economic life, introducing the analytical and critical tools for an understanding of the functioning of economic systems, domestically (Part 1) and internationally (Part 2).
Special attention will be paid to the plurality of theoretical approaches, with reference to the main authors who have contributed to economic thinking.
The last module of the course (Part 3) will be devoted to an in-depth study of specific themes that have emerged during the course.
Part 1 (20 hrs-3 cfu): Fundamental elements of the national economy
Part 2 (20 hrs-3 cfu): Money, finance and international economics
Part 3 (20 hrs-3 cfu): Insights related to specific topics covered in the course
How is a nation's wealth defined and measured? What are the peculiarities of the capitalist economy? What are the rules and decisions that help determine how wealth is produced and distributed among the different factors of production? What is the function of money and finance? How do markets operate and how is the value of goods produced determined? What is the role of the state in the economy? What are the factors that contribute to a country's economic growth? What form do international trade and financial relations take? The course addresses these and other fundamental questions of economic life, introducing the analytical and critical tools for an understanding of the functioning of economic systems, domestically (Part 1) and internationally (Part 2).
Special attention will be paid to the plurality of theoretical approaches, with reference to the main authors who have contributed to economic thinking.
The last module of the course (Part 3) will be devoted to an in-depth study of specific themes that have emerged during the course.
Prerequisites for admission
Since this is an introductory course, no prior knowledge of economics or mathematical skills are required that have not already been acquired in the initial two years of high school.
It is strongly recommended (but not required) to take the Economic History course before or at the same time.
It is strongly recommended (but not required) to take the Economic History course before or at the same time.
Teaching methods
Class attendance is strongly recommended, although not mandatory. Teaching consists of face-to-face lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and language proper to the discipline. Discussion with the instructor is an integral part of the teaching method and aims to foster in the student a critical thinking and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
The teaching makes use of teaching materials, including multimedia, presented in the ARIEL platform, which the student is required to consult regularly.
THREE-YEAR FINAL DISSERTATION REQUIREMENTS IN POLITICAL ECONOMY
Students who intend to take the three-year final dissertation in Political Economy must:
1. have taken the Political Economy course and successfully passed the final exam;
2. have taken (or have at least included in the curriculum) the Economic History exam.
In order to do the final dissertation in Political Economy, it is also mandatory to attend the "Laboratorio di scrittura dell'elaborato triennale in Storia economica" held every academic year in the second semester. More information can be obtained through the Lab's website.
The teaching makes use of teaching materials, including multimedia, presented in the ARIEL platform, which the student is required to consult regularly.
THREE-YEAR FINAL DISSERTATION REQUIREMENTS IN POLITICAL ECONOMY
Students who intend to take the three-year final dissertation in Political Economy must:
1. have taken the Political Economy course and successfully passed the final exam;
2. have taken (or have at least included in the curriculum) the Economic History exam.
In order to do the final dissertation in Political Economy, it is also mandatory to attend the "Laboratorio di scrittura dell'elaborato triennale in Storia economica" held every academic year in the second semester. More information can be obtained through the Lab's website.
Teaching Resources
Attending Students
- Program for 6 CFU Attending Students:
1. knowledge of topics covered in lecture (Parts 1 and 2);
2. knowledge of Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017;
3. content of teaching materials made available on ARIEL.
- Program for 9 CFU Attending Students:
1. knowledge of topics covered in class (Parts 1, 2 and 3);
2. knowledge of Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017;
3. content of the teaching materials made available on ARIEL.
The program is intended as of now CONFIRMED: please do not ask for further confirmation via email.
Non-Attending Students:
- Program for 6 CFU Non-Attending Students:
1. knowledge of the entire volume Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017.
- Program for 9 CFU Non-Attending Students:
1. knowledge of the entire volume Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017.
2. knowledge of chapters 4-5 and 11-12 of The Core, The Economy. (available online: https://www.core-econ.org/the-economy/book/text/0-3-contents.html).
The program is to be understood as CONFIRMED as of now: please do not ask for further confirmation via email.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to make timely contact with the course instructor to agree on the examination program, possibly also in English.
- Program for 6 CFU Attending Students:
1. knowledge of topics covered in lecture (Parts 1 and 2);
2. knowledge of Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017;
3. content of teaching materials made available on ARIEL.
- Program for 9 CFU Attending Students:
1. knowledge of topics covered in class (Parts 1, 2 and 3);
2. knowledge of Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017;
3. content of the teaching materials made available on ARIEL.
The program is intended as of now CONFIRMED: please do not ask for further confirmation via email.
Non-Attending Students:
- Program for 6 CFU Non-Attending Students:
1. knowledge of the entire volume Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017.
- Program for 9 CFU Non-Attending Students:
1. knowledge of the entire volume Alessandro Roncaglia and Marcella Corsi, Nuovi lineamenti di economia politica, Bari, Laterza, 2017.
2. knowledge of chapters 4-5 and 11-12 of The Core, The Economy. (available online: https://www.core-econ.org/the-economy/book/text/0-3-contents.html).
The program is to be understood as CONFIRMED as of now: please do not ask for further confirmation via email.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to make timely contact with the course instructor to agree on the examination program, possibly also in English.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: written examination in computer-based classroom.
- Type of examination: mixed questions (multiple choice and open-ended), with mode and evaluation criteria made available on ARIEL.
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate the knowledge acquired, ability to reflect critically on the work done; quality of exposition, competence in the use of the vocabulary of the discipline, communicative effectiveness and clarity.
- Type of assessment: grade in thirtieths.
- Method of communicating the forms of the optional midterm tests: news given during class (since these are midterm tests for attending students, no information is given via e-mail).
There are two optional intermediate tests (one at the end of the first module and one at the end of the third module) reserved only for attending students. The tests will consist of several mixed questions (open- and/or closed-ended). Subject of the tests will be the topics covered in class and the selected content of the textbooks. Students who also attend the third module will be required to agree and do an in-depth written paper as well. The final grade will be the average of the grades of the two midterm papers (and possibly the in-depth written paper), and may be recorded at the first useful examination call.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in consultation with the appropriate office. A student with DSA must contact the teacher at least two weeks before the exam is to be held in order to agree on any compensatory measures. The same applies to attending DSA students who intend to take intermediate tests.
N.B. From the January 2023 roll call, candidates who bring old Political Economy syllabi (including that of A.Y. 2021-22) are no longer accepted.
- Type of examination: mixed questions (multiple choice and open-ended), with mode and evaluation criteria made available on ARIEL.
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate the knowledge acquired, ability to reflect critically on the work done; quality of exposition, competence in the use of the vocabulary of the discipline, communicative effectiveness and clarity.
- Type of assessment: grade in thirtieths.
- Method of communicating the forms of the optional midterm tests: news given during class (since these are midterm tests for attending students, no information is given via e-mail).
There are two optional intermediate tests (one at the end of the first module and one at the end of the third module) reserved only for attending students. The tests will consist of several mixed questions (open- and/or closed-ended). Subject of the tests will be the topics covered in class and the selected content of the textbooks. Students who also attend the third module will be required to agree and do an in-depth written paper as well. The final grade will be the average of the grades of the two midterm papers (and possibly the in-depth written paper), and may be recorded at the first useful examination call.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in consultation with the appropriate office. A student with DSA must contact the teacher at least two weeks before the exam is to be held in order to agree on any compensatory measures. The same applies to attending DSA students who intend to take intermediate tests.
N.B. From the January 2023 roll call, candidates who bring old Political Economy syllabi (including that of A.Y. 2021-22) are no longer accepted.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday 10.30-12.30
By appointment on Teams