ECONOMICS I -- Introduction to Economics, National Accounting
and Microeconomics -- EFA 3rd
semester WS
2024/25
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Basic Information
Interactive Participation
Preliminary schedule: |
No | week | date: | presentation | Unit - topics (Preliminary Schedule) | Prepare for today ++ activities | Material |
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all |
Outlook: Current |
On Nov 8 2023 the Council of Economic Experts published its annual report 2023/24: Overcoming sluggish growth – investing in the future Weitere Infos zum
Thema (in German): |
I expect you to follow the economic news! One possibilty is Espresso,
the Economist's daily news digest - as
a student, you can subscribe for free |
On September 26, the Joint Economic Forecast Autumn 2024 was published: German Economy in Transition – Weak Momentum, Low Potential Growth |
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No | week | date: | presentation | Unit - topics (Preliminary Schedule) | Prepare for today ++ activities | Material |
1 |
1 |
15 Oct |
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WHY Economics?
Section I: Introduction - 10 Principles
of Economics (Mankiw) |
Today _in_ class: Most important OBJECTIVE(s) -> Teamwork about Mankiws "Ten Principles of Economics" and part from B. Obama "The Audaciy of Hope" (p. 176-184) |
-
Welcome.ppt (ggf.
Einstieg auf Deutsch mit EFA-Themen: |
2 |
1 |
16 Oct | Basic Concepts of Economics - Goals in Economics and Economic Policy - Economic systems & Objectives of Economics / Economic Policy |
Today _in_ class: Most important OBJECTIVE(s) -
Social market
economy (explainity® video) and from
the KAS Lets look at one of our first models:
The Production Possibility Frontier (Curve)
PPF |
General topic:
AI in our class
- Hierarchy
of goals in market economies houses: |
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3 |
2 |
22 Oct | (from today on
we (houses) play a Kahoot
quiz) register to Kahoot
using your (nick) name followed by the first letter of your house, e.g:
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Basic
Concepts of Economics
|
Today _in_ class: -> Each presentation group researches and presents 5 academic literature sources for their topic (chapter). At least 2 of them have to be from journals that are not openly available in the internet |
Recall our discussion from last semester:
Literature
Management
System -> ZOTERO |
4 |
2 |
23 Oct | Please recall that for today Mankiws: "Problems and Applications" are due (see table below) Begg
& Ward
* => if you didn'd do up to now, select your chapter |
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(Presentation of the) possibilities of the University Library: Econmics & Business Studies, Selected Resources - Faculty 1: International Business, Data Bases
- EconLit ->
EconBiz.de -- Find
Economic Literature (Service of ZBW)
- Research skills: -
OECD iLibrary: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/ |
|
5 |
3 |
29 Oct | Important:
The tests can only be taken IN CLASS (in the PC pool)
- if you take it from another place, it doesn't count. (I'll
take a participants list, you must bring your PRINTED
student ID) We
will use the PC pools A 114 and A 130. For
new students / internationals: Everyone has to register for the first
time, which takes some time. We can do this together, contact me! You
must do this before the first test; this is also possible online: further
information can be found on this
website under ‘Virtual PCs’. |
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6 |
3 |
30 Oct | Section
II: Understanding Markets
-
Chapter 2: Consumers in the Market Place -> ELASTICITIES (1) |
Topics of test 1 (preliminary): Introduction, basic questions, objectives (hierarchy of goals), 10 Principles of Economics, chapter 1 and 2 (as far as discussed) - you find an expample (pre-) test in AULIS | ||
7 |
4 |
5 Nov | -
Chapter 2: Consumers in the Market Place |
Presentations: |
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8 |
4 |
6 Nov | presentation 2 Test
1 (last 20 minutes |
- Chapter 3: Firms in the Market Place | - "The
Production Process" see also the Excel file with some Figures from the book |
|
9 |
5 |
12 Nov | - Chapter 3: Firms in the Market Place | |||
10 |
5 |
13 Nov | - Chapter 4: Markets in Action | Topics
of test 2 (preliminary): (still) 10 Principles of Economics,
Begg & Ward chapter 2 to 3 (parts discussed in class up to 14 Nov) |
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11 |
6 |
19 Nov |
presentation 3 |
- Chapter 4: Markets in Action | ||
12 |
6 |
20 Nov | Test 2 | Section III: Competition and Profitability - Chapter 5: Market
structure & Firm Performance (cont'd) |
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13 |
7 |
26 Nov | - Chapter 5:
Market structure & Firm Performance (cont'd) |
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14 |
7 |
27 Nov |
presentation 5 |
- Chapter 5:
Market structure & Firm Performance (cont'd) |
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15 |
8 |
3 Dec | - Chapter 5:
Market structure & Firm Performance (cont'd) |
Topics of test 3 (preliminary): Begg & Ward chapters 2 (only elasticity), 3, 4 and the parts of ch. 5 discussed in class up to now) |
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16 |
8 |
4 Dec |
Test
3 |
Competition,
Monopoly and the public interest (welfare)
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17 |
9 |
10 Dec |
presentation 6 |
- Chapter 6. Strategic
rivalry -> Oligopoy and Game Theory |
Movie "A
beautiful Mind" about John
F. Nash: "the best result will come
if everyone does what is best for himself ... and the group" (bar
scene) Bundeskartellamt
- Control
of abusive practices - Ban
on cartels |
|
18 |
9 |
11 Dec | presentation 7 | - Chapter 7. Growth
strategies |
Examples: 1) do you like a coffee? 2) Bundesliga 3) cars & steel 4) Deutsche Bahn AG to make changes to ticket sales | |
19 |
10 |
17 Dec | - Chapter 8. Governing business | Information about the Topics
of test 4: |
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20 |
10 |
18 Dec | Test 4 |
Section IV: Basics of MACROeconomics - Chapter 9:
An introduction to the Macro Economy |
Some Videos "Fight
of the Century" / Fear
the boom and the bust - "Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem - Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two and more information like "The Tale of the Dueling Economists". Texts of the videos ... and why not enjoy: Deck the Halls with Macro Follies |
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21 |
11 |
7 Jan |
- Chapter 10: Measuring Macroeconomic Variables and Policy Issues |
|
German National
Accounting @DeStatis: - Eurostat
with National
Accounts |
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22 |
11 |
8 Jan |
presentation 10
|
- Chapter 10: Measuring Macroeconomic Variables and Policy Issues |
- GDP to NNY and summary of National Income accounting - current figures: National Accounts at a glance (in German: "Wichtige Zusammenhänge im Überblick") |
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23 |
12 |
14 Jan | Reading week | Now that we discussed National Accounting (GDP, ...) we'll ask ourselves: Is
GDP really an apt measure of Welfare -> Measuring WELFARE & SUSTAINABILITY |
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The German Statistical Office (DeStatis) publishes Environmental indicators and also an "Indicator Report - Sustainable Development in Germany" + "Indicator Report 2021: Sustainable Development in Germany" |
24 |
12 |
15 Jan | Reading week | - How can countries measure the well-being of their citizens? (TED institute) | Topics
of test 5: Chapters 9 and 10 - Tagets of Economic Policy, GDP: The Circular Flow of Income; Measurement of GDP, other macroeconomic issues |
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25 |
13 |
21 Jan |
***
Evaluation
*** |
please upload your presentation - as usual - the day before up to 16:00 !
Presentations and Debates: * Alfa: NN * Bravo: NN
|
|
"Monitoring economic performance, quality of life and sustainability" by the German Council of Economic Experts in association with the french Council of Economic Analysis - Joint Report 2010 requested by the Franco-German Ministerial Council to Chancellor Mrs. Angela Merkel and french President Nicolas Sarkozy (deutsche Übersetzung: Wirtschaftsleistung, Lebensqualität und Nachhaltigkeit: Ein umfassendes Indikatorensystem). This report (and request) was based on the ... -> Report
of the commission on the measurement of economic performance
et social progress 2009 Sustainable Development Goals - United Nations Development Programme The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are integrated — they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. |
26 |
13 |
22 Jan | Test 5 | Presentations and Debates: * Charlie: NN
|
ECG Economy
for the Common Good (GWÖ): Doughnut
Economics (Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist) OECD: "Beyond GDP" Joseph E. STIGLITZ, Jean-Paul FITOUSSIand Martine DURAND "Descentrar
el producto interno bruto (PIB) - Bienestar, cuidados y tiempo"
( Iliana Vaca Trigo y Camila Baron), también en ingles: |
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27 |
14 |
28 Jan |
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Presentations and Debates: * Delta NN * Echo NN |
|
Other Alternative Economic Approaches Fridays, Economists,
Scientists ... for
Future: Facts
+ Statements
of Scientists + Sketchnotes
+ Skeptical Science
Global Warming & Climate Change Myths + The
Consensus Handbook + Degrowth
– what's behind the economic theory and why does it matter right
now? Economics of Happiness / Glücksforschung and many more ideas and topics please ! Topics of test 6:Alternative Economic Approaches |
28 |
14 |
29 Jan |
Test 6 | Outlook: Macroeconomics and Economic Policy Fiscal and Monetary Policy: - Chapter 13: Expenditure
and Fiscal Policy - Chapter 14: Money,
Banking and Interest |
|
Main
Source : European Central Bank ECB,
Educational
Sources: - European Monetary Union explained - The European Centrag Bank (EU Parlament) - The History of the European (monetary) integration - European Integration (ECB presentation used in class) - Monetary Policy Instruments (TARGET 2 = Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System) + Definitions of monetary aggregates - MFI information - Inflation Monitor - see also: Leitzins.info |
The "Module Exercise" takes place every week
<45-90 minutes every week integrated into our class> We formed 5
HOUSES which are assigned tasks for the next
session and is expected to present the results (=prepared as joint homework)
The module exercise is part of your individual workload, it isn't marked
and the lecturer won't deliver new information; he will only moderate the
sessions. The tasks of the module exercise normally refer to the topics
discussed in the last week(s). The numbers in the table below normally refer
to the chapter in the textbook (Sloman: "End of chapter questions").
At the end of the module exercise there is room for general questions about
the topics, terms, ... .
The exercises discussed in the module
exercise are relevant for the tests. If
the students deliver results or approaches to the solution, we'll discuss
the correct solution in class. If no approaches are presented, the task
will not be discussed in class but nevertheless stay relevant for the exam.
All students |
Alfa |
Bravo |
Charlie |
Delta |
Echo |
|
Names of students:
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||||||
w1 - 16 Oct (in class) | Mankiws
"Principles" & - presentation in class: |
1-3 |
4-6 |
7-8 |
9-10 |
Obama
text |
please prepare for: w2 - 23 Oct
|
Mankiw:
"Problems and Applications" |
13-16 + No. 17 ONE example ! |
10-12
+ No. 17 ONE example ! |
7-9 + No. 17 ONE example ! |
4-6 + No. 17 ONE example ! |
1-3 + No. 17 ONE example ! |
|
End
of Chapter questions from Begg/Ward |
2,3 |
4 |
5 |
6,7 |
8 |
w4 - 6 Nov | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 |
-> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 |
-> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | |
w5 - 13 Nov | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | -> all students: Exercise 1 and 2 | |
w6 - 20 Nov | Question 2 Exercise 2 (a) |
Question 3 Exercise 2 (b) |
Question 6 Exercise 2 (c) |
Question 8 Exercise 2 (d) |
Question 9+10 Exercise 2 (e) |
|
w7 - 27 Nov | End
of Chapter questions from Begg/Ward (chapter 5) |
Question 10 + Explain, what "creative destruction" is about | Questions 8 and 9 | Questions 6 and 7 | Questions 4 and 5 | Question 3, 1 and 2 |
... | ||||||
NN | Review of old exams |
Review of old exams, e.g. the exam of Microeconomics WS 14/15 | ||||
NN | YOUR questions |
Links:
Links:
- WIKIPEDIA,
the free Encyclopedia (english)
- Leo -
Online Dictionary
- odge.de: Online-German-English-Dictionary
Learning / Improving your English:
- See the tips on the web page of the "Fremdsprachenzentrum",
especially "Internet
Quellen", "Medien",
and "Englisch
in Bremen"
- Somewhat less actual are the English
Language Resources (ELR) web site of Hochschule Bremen (Bremen
university of applied sciences)
with many useful tips, among other things: "How
can I improve my English outside class?" (with tips for going out:
English Club ... and more).
- also useful a list of English radio stations: http://www.surfmusik.de/land/england.html
Quotations
form the book of Thomas
Friedman: "The World is flat":
- For some, particularly among the older generations, this was
an unwelcome transformation. Communism was a great system for making
everyone equally poor. In fact, there was no better system in the world
for that than Communism. Capitalism made people unequally rich,
and for some who were used to the plodding, limited, but secure Socialist lifestyle--where
a job, a house, an education, and a pension were all guaranteed, even if they
were meager--the fall of the Berlin wall was deeply unsettling. (p. 51/52)
- ... to some degree Mikhail Gorbachev's hapless efforts to reform something
that was unreformable brought communism to an end. But if I had to point to
one factor as first among equals, it was the information revolution that began
in the early- to mid-1980s. Totalitarian systems depend on a monopoly
of information and force, and too much information started to slip
through the Iron Curtain, thanks to the spread of fax machines, telephones,
and other modern tools of communication. (p 54)
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