Principles of Economics and Statistics

.- Principles of Economics and Statistics (Module Economics)
PROF. PAOLO SCKOKAI
COURSE AIMS
The course covers the fundamentals of economic analysis, which will enable
students to interpret situations using the tools of economic science, both at the level
of individual actors (firms, families, state) and of the economic system as a whole.
This material is a prerequisite for the subjects encountered in subsequent years,
dealing more in depth with the economic aspects of the agri-food system.
COURSE CONTENT
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS
Economics: what it is and what it studies.
The economic system: definition and functions.
Fundamental elements of a market economy.
MARKET AND MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Functioning of markets: demand, supply, elasticity
Public intervention in markets of goods and services.
The theory of consumer behaviour.
The theory of production.
Production costs and economic objectives of firms.
Market structure: from perfect competition to monopoly.
FUNDAMENTALS OF MACROECONOMICS
Nominal and real variables, exchange rates, price indexes.
Macroeconomic objectives and their measurement.
Aggregate demand, aggregate supply and equilibrium of an economic system.
Keynesian model and fiscal policy.
Currency and monetary policy.
READING LIST
Course textbook:
P.A. SAMUELSON-W.D. NORDHAUS-C.A. BOLLINO, Economia, McGraw-Hill, 19th ed., Milano, 2009.
Further readings:
R.H. MABRY- H.H. ULBRICH, Fondamenti di economia politica, Zanichelli, Bologna, 1997.
D. BEGG-S. FISCHER-R. DORNBUSCH, Economia, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2001.
R.H. FRANK-B.S. BERNANKE, Principi di economia, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2004.
TEACHING METHOD
The course consists of five credits for lectures and one credit for tutorial sessions, during
which students will apply the ideas they have learned to concrete cases.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
There will be one intermediate written test and a written final exam, followed by a
discussion of the results.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the instructor's webpage or on the Faculty notice
board.
Students can meet the instructor after class in the “Istituto di Economia Agroalimentare”.