Current Economic Challenges

Course goals

Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student can:

• Express an informed opinion about the challenges discussed in the course
• Analyse and present about the underlying economic concepts related to these challenges
• Provide answers to real world challenges based on academic research

Content

Contents
In this course, we will make use of project-based learning to provide answers to real-world challenges. The course is collaborative in nature, meaning that students are expected to take an active role in the course by selecting, exploring and researching this year’s challenges.
This year’s focus themes will be determined in collaboration with the students. Some examples include: long-term effects of pandemic disruptions, climate change and disease burdens, “learning poverty”, and migration.

In prior instalments of this course, focus themes included the future of work or the post-COVID airline industry. Students examined questions such as:

• How will automation and digitalisation affect the future of work and how can we mitigate potential negative consequences on salaries and employment?
• How can we best support airlines in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and stimulate the shift towards sustainable aviation?

Academic skills
Students following the course will develop the following academic skills:

Analytical Skills

• Identifying, interpreting, and critically evaluating key economic concepts in the context of the challenges discussed in the course
• Providing concrete solutions to complex economic problems
• Evaluating evidence in text and presentations

Communication Skills

• Presenting about economic concepts and current research
• Providing constructive feedback
• Collaborating with peers in a project team

Academic Reasoning

• Thinking conceptually, thinking in terms of theory
• Asking critical questions, having a curiosity-driven and critical attitude
• Analysing questions from different perspectives
• Identifying links between problems

Format
Project-based learning implies that students have an active role in the course by exploring in depth the current challenges through own research. Students will understand, analyse and be able to express an informed opinion about the focus themes through reviewing academic research, presenting, providing feedback, and conducting peer-reviews. The goal is to provide an answer to a complex question, challenge, or problem in an evidence-based manner.

Assessment method
The final grade for the course is a Pass/Fail and will be determined by successful completion of the course assignments, active participation throughout the course and a positive contribution to the student project teams.

Effort requirements
It is required to attend at least 80% of the plenary sessions.

Place of the course within the curriculum
USE Honours Programme, second or third year in Bachelor.

Subscription for the course: email Honours Programme Economics via honours.use@uu.nl


In case online access is required for this course and you are unable (or do not want) to buy the access code, you are advised to contact the course coordinator for an alternative solution. Please note that access codes are not re-usable meaning that codes from second hand books do not work, as well as access codes from books with a different ISBN. Separate or spare codes are usually not available.