This covers a series of courses I taught at University College Cork. The content relates to undergraduate macroeconomics, and was taught to students studying economics, finance, and commerce. Relevant materials can be made available upon request, but click the link in the title to see an overview of the course contents.

Introductory Macroeconomics

These courses start with the study of the economy as a whole, focusing on aggregate measures such as national income, unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. Students learn to work with theories of supply and demand, fiscal and monetary policy, international trade, and exchange rates, while also covering national income accounting, the measurement of economic activity, and the circular flow of income.

The role of government in influencing economic outcomes is also explored here. Topics such as fiscal policy, monetary policy, and the role of central banks will be discussed, along with the challenges and trade-offs involved in implementing macroeconomic policies. This provides students with opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to analyze current economic events and policy debates, enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills.

In University College Cork, I have been involved in the following courses which fit this description in different capacities:

1. EC1116 (Introductory Macroeconomics)
2. EC1208 (Principles of the Macro Economy)
3. EC1503 (Economic Analysis for Food Business)
4. EC1122 (Markets, Governments and the Economics of Social Issues)

Intermediate Macroeconomics

These courses build upon the work done in introductory modules by focusing on specific themes and issues within macroeconomics. Themes centre around “development” and topics studied include human capital, inequality, money and monetary policy, alongside national and international economic variables which affect business performance.

Some of these courses then pivot to focus on social issues and policy, thereby requiring detailed analysis of issues like healthcare, pensions, and the welfare state, while some of these courses focus on financial markets. An overarching theme in these courses, however, is the role of governmental intervention in the economy alongside how Ireland is situated in the global macroeconomic environment. This provides students with opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to analyze current economic events and policy debates, enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills.

In University College Cork, I have been involved in the following courses which fit this description in different capacities:

1. EC2010 (The Changing Economy: Money and Monetary Policy)
2. EC2112 (Macroeconomics: Irish and International Business Cycles)
3. EC2151 (Economics of Social Policy 1)
4. EC2220 (Microeconomics and Macroeconomic Outcomes)
5. EC2214 (The Macroeconomic Environment in a Global Context)
6. EC3151 (Economics of Social Policy 2)

Recommended Readings and Literature

1. Macroeconomics by Daron Acemoglu, David Laibson, and John A. List
2. Risky Business: Why Insurance Markets Fail and What To Do About It by Amy Finkelstein, Liran Einav, and Raymond Fisman
3. The Great Economists: How Their Ideas Can Help Us Today by Linda Yueh
4. The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public VS Private Sector Myths by Mariana Mazzucato
5. The Price of Inequality by Joseph Stiglitz
6. Globalization and Its Discontents by Joseph Stiglitz
7. Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
8. Good Economics For Hard Times: Better Answers To Our Biggest Problems by Abhijit V. Banergee and Esther Duflo
9. Poor Economics by Abhijit V. Banergee
10. The Women Who Made Modern Economics by Rachel Reeves