Module Code: A6EFP
Long Title Economics for Financial Practitioners
Title Economics for Financial Practitioners
Module Level: LEVEL 6
EQF Level: 5
EHEA Level: Short Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: JONATHAN BRITTAIN
Module Author: Paul Hanly
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate awareness of economic issues concerning business and financial decision-making
LO2 Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of the main macroeconomic indicators and how these impact on the financial sector and the broader business community
LO3 Apply economic theories, concepts and skills to explain contemporary economic issues of relevance to the financial sector
LO4 Produce and interpret economic tools of analysis such as graphs and tables and apply these to real-world economic issues such as financing decisions
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Microeconomic Tools of Analysis
• Key microeconomic concepts and tools of analysis • Market dynamics - Demand, Supply and Equilibrium analysis • Market failure, equity and government policies
Finance and the economy
• Financial institutions in the wider economy • Saving and investment decision-making • The market for loanable funds • Risk aversion and managing risk • Risk and return trade-offs • The efficient market hypothesis
Fundamental concepts in Macroeconomic
• The Circular flow • Measuring economic output and growth • The Business Cycle • Measuring Inflation and Unemployment
The Monetary system
• Defining money • Banks and the money supply • The role of Central Banks • The European Central Bank and the Eurosystem • Tools of Monetary policy • Contemporary Banking and Finance issues
Open economy and International Macroeconomics
• The international flows of goods and capital • Exchange rates and Parity Relations • The market for loanable funds • The financial crises: bubbles and speculation
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Assessment50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Formative Assessment % of total: Non-Marked
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: Yes
Assessment Description:
Formative assessment will be included by the provision of class case studies and short answer questions. Feedback will be provided individually or as a group in written and oral format, or on-line through Moodle. In addition, in class discussions will be undertaken as part of the practical approach to learning.
Assessment Type: Project (0050) % of total: 50
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
The project will involve learners abstracting macroeconomic data pertaining to key performance variables of the Irish and the international economy, and interpreting these in terms of investment decision-making and/or a key economic event. Learners will be required to analyse the data using appropriate techniques on Excel, present results graphically, and interpret them in line with economic theory. The findings will be evidence-informed and learners will be expected to communicate their results in written format and to present and defend their results in class.
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 50
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Examination of two hours’ duration comprising five essay-based questions from which three must be undertaken.
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture There are 13 week teaching timetabled within each semester, with a ‘reading week’ approximately half way through this period in which there will be no formal classes but in which learners will be engaged in tutor supervised independent learning, typically in preparation for assessments or other learning activities. 26 Every Week 26.00
Independent Learning No Description 56 Every Week 56.00
Directed Learning Directed elearning 28 Every Week 28.00
Workbased learning No Description 15 Every Week 15.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 69.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Mankiw N.G. and Taylor P.T. (2017), Economics, 4th. Cengage..
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Mankiw N.G., Taylor P.T. and Ashwin. (2016), Business Economics, 2nd. Cengage.
  • Parkin M., Powell M., and Matthews K. (2017), Economics: European Edition, 10th Ed. Pearson.
  • Krugman P. and Wells R. (2015), Economics, 4th. Palgrave.
  • Leddin A.J. and Walsh B.M. (2013), Macroeconomics: An Irish and European Perspective, Gill & Macmillan.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: