Checking date: 24/03/2025


Course: 2025/2026

Principles of Economy
(20050)
Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies (Plan: 552 - Estudio: 505)


Coordinating teacher: FUSTER PEREZ, MARIA LUISA

Department assigned to the subject: Economics Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Elementary calculus: percentages, rule of three and basic simplifications of quotients (also sums, substractions, multiplications and quotients). Solution of linear equations with one unknown. Solution of two linear equations with two unknowns (by substitution). Plot of linear equations in 2D graphs. Relationship with solutions to two linear equations with two unknowns. Graphic interpretation of the slope of a line. Computing elementary areas (triangles and rectangles).
Objectives
Most decisions that businesses and policy makers take are heavily influenced by the way markets operate. The competitiveness of markets, the household ¿s decisions taking process, fiscal incentives and the regulatory intervention of the government, are some of the variables that influence the strategy to be taken by a business firm and policy makers. This course will prepare students to analyze markets. To achieve this, this courses will provide a complete overview of how markets operate, and also when market fail and generate undesirable results from the point of society. Skills - Analyze and reason in a rigorous and systematic way about economic issues - Clearly state economic problems assessing their scope and advancing viable solutions. - Use economic systems to analyze policy recommendations - Ability to communicate economic analysis in precise and concise manner Attitudes - Respect for economic facts as a basis for decision making both in private and public policies. - Interest in other persons' ideas and willingness to express own opinions with grounds on empirical references. - To improve their confidence thru a better understanding of the environment where they live.
Learning Outcomes
Students are able to¿ 3.1 ¿understand and describe theories and approaches related to urbanism and urbanisation. 4.1 ¿review and describe the underlying concepts, principles, academic literature and contemporary issues associated with urban sustainability. 5.1 ¿review and describe environmental, social and economic systems, identifying relationships between them. 6.1 ¿evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems, analysing data and drawing sound conclusions in accordance with basic theories and concepts. 8 ¿consider academic norms and ways of thinking across different disciplines and subject areas, bringing them into play as appropriate. 9 ¿demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and exercise independence of mind and thought. 10 ¿communicate ideas clearly, coherently and respectfully, in a range of disciplines and to various stakeholders, in both written and oral form, using appropriate language and referencing. 12 ¿work independently, meet deadlines, manage their own time and workload and demonstrate initiative. 13 ¿reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback on their own performance, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research.
Description of contents: programme
After an introduction to economic problems, the course starts discussing the the role of incentives in individual decision making, and the opportunity cost of these decisions. Thereafter we discuss how strategic interaction between economic agents (individuals, firms, government) shapes the outcomes. We discuss the (in)efficiency of institutions along a variety of problems. Finally, we address firm's decision making and price setting in various market environments. We discuss benefits and problems in markets together with the measures the state can take in order to reduce these inefficiencies. The course contents are as follows: 1. Introduction. Economic problems and Capitlism. Hockey Sticks, Inequality, Comparative Advantage,Housholds, and Firms. 2. Individual Decision Making. Scarcity, Choice, and Opportunity Cost. 3. Collective Decision Making (1). Introduction to Game Theory and Strategic Interaction. Nash Equilibrium. 4. Collective Decision Making (2). Public Goods, Altruism and Social Preferences. 5. Collective Decision Making (3). Competition and Conflict. 6. Economic Institutions. Efficiency, Fairness, and Bargaining 7. Theory of the Firm (1). Division of Labor, Wages, Ownership and Control 8. Theory of the Firm (2). Customers, Cost concepts, Price Setting, Advertisement 9. Supply and Demand. Markets, Outcomes, Prices, and Quantities. 10. Market Dynamics. Rent-Seeking, Price Setting, and Equilibrium Dynamics. 11. Market (In)efficiency. External Effects, Incomplete Information, Government Policies. 12. Economic Inequality. Reasons, Results, and Policies 13. The Economics of the Environment. Incomplete Contracts, and Missing Markets
Learning activities and methodology
The teaching methodology is based on two types of sessions: 1. Master classes, where the subject is given with graphical support (slides). To facilitate learning the students have access to audiovisual materials and basic texts of reference to complete and deepen the topics explained in class. 2. Practical classes to smaller groups of students, where they can take a more active part in solving the proposed exercises and discussing current events. In these sessions, student ¿s participation and problem sets are graded. Student participation in class enables them to analyze problems and communicate solutions, encouraging the exchange of opinions.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Core Team. The Economy. Oxford University Press. 2017
Recursos electrónicosElectronic Resources *
Additional Bibliography
  • Core. The Core Team The Economy. Oxford University Press,. 2017
(*) Access to some electronic resources may be restricted to members of the university community and require validation through Campus Global. If you try to connect from outside of the University you will need to set up a VPN


The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.