Module Code: H8ECS
Long Title Economic and Social Policy
Title Economic and Social Policy
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 10
Module Coordinator: DESMOND GARGAN
Module Author: Neasa Sherry
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 Develop a detailed understanding of concepts and theories relevant to key economic and social policy issues.
LO2 Apply relevant economic theories and economic interpretation to critically evaluate Irish and European economic and social policy issues.
LO3 Critically analyse the different forms of Government intervention in the economy, its justification and its instruments.
LO4 Evaluate the economic implications of Ireland as a small open economy.
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

As per programme requirements (outlined in 4.2.2 Minimum requirements for general learning)    
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction - Ireland in an Economic and Social Policy Context
Key Irish policy goals and performance Present Irish performance indicators Future Irish policy aims and challenges
Contemporary Irish economic and social issues
Demographic trends and Irish housing policy Labour market trends, youth unemployment and policy implications Education, funding and training Environmental policy and the circular economy
Key Macroeconomic policy objectives: Growth, sustainability and equality
Economic growth and efficiency Economic welfare and happiness Long term economic performance and sustainability Equity and income distribution: Theory and trends Measuring the distribution of income and wealth Poverty and inequality policy advances
The rationale for government intervention in the economy
Economic rationale for Government intervention (market failure) Public goods, Externalities, Asymmetric information Social rationale for Government intervention Government failure
Government and taxation
Government policy instruments: Public Finances and fiscal policy Principles and canons of taxation Overview of the Irish taxation system Direct, Indirect and corporate tax analysis
Competition policy and regulation
Market power and the theory of competition Competition policy: Definition, institutions and law Recent Irish and European high profile competition cases Civilising the Digital Economy Rational and theories of regulation Applications of behavioural economics to policy
Global and European economic issues
Ireland in a globalised world and policy implications of globalisation The theory of economic integration The single market European Monetary Integration Optimum currency areas and monetary unions Euro benefits and costs of EMU Contemporary global policy issues
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Assessment50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Project % of total: 50
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
The continuous assessment will consist of a project where participants are required to review current policy measures in an allocated area (Macroeconomic stability, taxation system, social protection, governance and sustainability) and development a potential new policy measure in the area which would positively enhance the economy or society. Participants will be expected to use data where possible and examine, quantitatively or qualitatively, the implications of their chosen policy measure.
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:
The end of module examination paper will be two hours long, with Students required to answer essay-style questions on module content. All material on the syllabus, which has been covered in lectures and tutorials, is assessable.
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.
Reassessment Description
Candidates will attempt the repeat examination for the module if they do not successfully pass the module. As all learning outcomes are assessable through the repeat examination, the student does not have to re-sit failed individual CA components. 

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

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Classroom and demonstrations 36 Per Semester 3.00
Independent Learning Independent learning 214 Per Semester 17.83
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Hagan J., O’Toole F., & Whelan C. Editors. (2021), The Economy of Ireland: Policy making in a global context, 14th Ed. Bloomsbury.
  • Social Justice Ireland (2021), Socio-Economic Review (Annual). Social Justice Matters: 2021 Guide to a fairer Irish society, https://www.socialjustice.ie/system/files/file-uploads/2021-09/socialjusticematters2021.pdf.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Stiglitz J., & Rosengard J. (2015), Economics of the Public Sector, Norton.
  • Mankiw N.G., & Taylor M.P.. (2020), Economics, 5th Ed. Cengage.
  • Chang, H-J. (2014), Economics: A User’s Guide, Pelican.
  • Thaler R., & Sunstein C. (2009), Nudge, Penguin Books.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], www.esri.ie.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], www.cso.ie.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.tasc.ie/.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.socialjustice.ie/.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/ page/portal/eurostat/home/.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fand d/fda.htm.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.forfas.ie/publication/search. jsp.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.p /publications.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.fiscalcouncil.ie/publications /.
  • [Institutions/Think tanks], http://www.nerinstitute.net/.
  • [Website], http://www.irishtimes.com/business.
  • [Website], http://www.independent.ie/business/.
  • [Website], www.ft.com.
  • [Website], www.economist.com.
  • [Website], http://businessandfinance.com/.
  • [Website], www.wsj.com.
  • [Website], www.irisheconomy.ie.
  • [Website], http://www.progressive-economy.ie/.
  • [Website], http://www.thejournal.ie/social-justice- ireland/news/.
  • [Website], http://www.nerinstitute.net/blog/.
  • [Website], https://www.ted.com/topics/economics.
  • [Website], http://www.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/events /Home.aspx.
Discussion Note: