Programme specification
This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.
SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD
| Programme: | ECONOMICS WITH PORTUGUESE |
|---|---|
| Awarding body: | University of Essex |
| Teaching institution: | University of Essex |
| Department: | Economics |
| Final award: | BA |
| NQF Level of Qualification: | Honours |
| Full / Part Time | Full-time |
| QAA Benchmark Group: | Economics |
| JACS code: | L1R5 |
| Publication date: | 08/10/2012 |
| Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions. |
A-levels: 320 points, including AB at A-level GCSE Mathematics: C Scottish Highers: AAAB, plus Standard Mathematics grade 3 IB: 34 points, including Standard Mathematics grade 4 Pass in the relevant language at A-level (or equivalent) is required. |
SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS
This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.
Programme: BA ECONOMICS WITH PORTUGUESE
Programme aims:
BA Economics with Portuguese is a three-year programme of study. Its main learning and teaching aims are: To provide students with an academic training in the principles of economics. To achieve an appropriate level of proficiency in Portuguese. To equip provide students with an awareness of the quantitative methods appropriate for knowledge of economic principles and applied economics. To foster in students an appreciation of the appropriate level of abstraction and simplification needed to explore a range of economic issues. To encourage in students the acquisition of autonomous study skills and the adoption of an investigative approach to tackle economic problems. To develop in students the ability to construct logical arguments, to communicate arguments clearly in writing, and to appreciate, evaluate and respond to potentially conflicting interpretations of economic phenomena. To provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills constructively to one or more specialist areas of economics and the associated policies. To allow students, through the study of economics, to acquire critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills, and transferable skills. To provide students with a foundation for further studies in economics and allied disciplines. The outcomes detailed in this section represent the minimum that might be expected of a graduate of this scheme at the University of Essex. The Department anticipates and intends that the vast majority of economics graduates will accomplish significantly more. Details of the differing standards expected to achieve the various course and degree classifications are available in the Undergraduate Economics Handbook, published annually by the Department of Economics.
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
A1 : Knowledge of the fundamental principles of economics, including microeconomics and macroeconomics. A2 : Understanding of the application of economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies. A3 : Knowledge of the mathematical methods needed to comprehend economic principles. A4 : Awareness of the sources of economic information. A5 : Knowledge of statistical methods needed for the analysis of economic issues. A6 : Appreciation of one or more specialist areas of economics in depth. A7 : An appropriate level of phonological, morphological, syntactic, lexical, pragmatic and discourse competance in Portuguese, and ability to undertake translation, and creative writing. A8 : Knowledge of linguistic concepts and metalanguage used to describe and analyse Portuguese, and techniques used to analyse texts and other authentic materials in Portuguese from a variety of perspectives. A9 : Awareness of aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use Portuguese as medium of communication, and ability to compare and contrast relevant aspects of that culture with one's own. |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
B1 : Analyse a specified problem and choose the most suitable methods for its solution. B2 : Assess the relative merits of a range of theories, techniques and tools needed to articulate arguments and policies. B3 : Synthesise and interpret information from a range of sources (lectures, classes, journals, books, etc.) developing a critical evaluation of the importance and relevance of the sources to an area of study. B4 : Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of economic ideas. B5 : Abstract and synthesise information from a variety of authentic written and spoken materials in Portuguese. B6 : Analyse texts and other authentic Portuguese materials from a variety of perspectives. B7 : Engage in rational debate in (written and spoken forms of) Portuguese, expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others). |
C: Practical Skills
|
C1 : Identify, select and gather information, using the relevant sources. C2 : Organise ideas in a systematic way. C3 : Present economic ideas and arguments coherently in writing. C4 : Use and apply economic terminology and concepts. C5 : Organising and presenting ideas in Portuguese in written and oral forms, including taking notes and producing a range of materials (e.g. social and business letters, summaries, reports, etc.) in Portuguese. |
D: Key Skills
|
Communication: D1 : Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language: (a) the articulation of economic theories, (b) the description of economic evidence, (c) the critical assessment of economic arguments and policies.
Communicating ideas, information and arguments in oral and written form in Portuguese using the appropriate register and style. IT Skills: D2 : N/A Numeracy: D3 : Knowledge of quantitative methods and an appreciation of the contexts in which the methods are relevant to analyse economic data. Problem Solving: D4 : Understanding of how economic reasoning is used to address problems involving opportunity cost, incentives, households' and firms' decision-making, strategic thinking, expectations and market outcomes in equilibrium and disequilibrium. Working with Others: D5 : N/A Self Learning: D6 : Capacity to: (a) organise and implement a plan of independent study, (b) reflect on his or her own learning experience and adapt in response to feedback; (c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research. |
Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
Learning Methods Economics Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the principles, concepts and arguments in A1-A6. Students are also assigned readings from textbooks, academic journal papers, unpublished research papers and on-line resources. Students' understanding is reinforced by classes, especially for outcomes A1, A2, A3, A5. Laboratory sessions are provided to support learning of quantitative methods (A5). Individual supervision of the final year project provides additional support especially for outcomes A4 and A6, and reinforces A2, A3, A5. Lectures and classes in final year courses are particularly important to enable students to achieve A6. Portuguese Classes are the main method of delivery for A7, A8 and A9. Students' knowledge is reinforced via laboratory work (A7), group discussions (A7, A8, A9), use of computer software packages (including web-based materials) (A7) and individual staff contact during office hours or via email (A7, A8, A9). Assessment Methods Economics Achievement of knowledge and understanding is assessed through marked assignments (A1, A2), tests (A1, A2, A3, A5), term papers (A1, A2, A4, A6), project work (A1-A6) and unseen closed-book examinations (A1, A2, A3, A5, A6). Learning outcomes A2, A4 are assessed by tests and unseen closed-book examinations. Learning outcome A6 is assessed by term papers and unseen closed-book examinations particularly in final year, EC3xx, economics courses. Learning outcome A4 is assessed especially via term papers (in second year and final year economics courses) and the final year project. Portuguese Coursework and final examinations formally assess skills A7, A8, A9. These methods are complemented with role-plays (A7), oral class presentations (A7, A8, A9), class tests (A7), book reports (A8, A9) and project work (A7, A8, A9). |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
Learning Methods Economics Students' acquisition of intellectual and cognitive skills, B1-B4, is enabled primarily through lectures and further sustained via classes. Outcome B1 is developed particularly in exercises designed for core economic theory, mathematical methods and quantitative methods classes. Outcomes B2, B3 and B4 are key elements in students' preparation for assignments.Individual project supervision and guidance for term paper study are especially important in providing opportunities for students to acquire B2, B3 and B4. Portuguese Outcomes B1, B3, B5 and B6 are developed primarily through preparation of coursework and for final examinations, lectures, classes and staff guidance in office hours or via email. Outcomes B5, B6, B7 are sustained through class-based discussion, group discussion, oral presentations, role-plays and staff guidance in office hours or via email. Assessment Methods Economics Achievement of intellectual/cognitive skills is assessed through marked assignments (especially B1 and B3), tests (especially B1), term papers (especially B2, B3, B4), project work (especially B2, B3 and B4) and unseen closed-book examinations (especially B1, B2 and B4). Portuguese Skills B1, B3, B5 and B6 are assessed via written coursework and written examinations. Achievement of skill B7 is assessed primarily though listening tests, reading comprehension tests and oral examinations/presentations. These forms of assessment are also relevant for skills B5 and B6. |
C: Practical Skills
|
Learning Methods Economics Skill C1 is developed via directed reading from textbooks and academic journal articles together with searches for online materials. Skill C2 is acquired during lectures and classes, and as a consequence of studying course materials. Skill C3 is articulated in the preparation of assignments and term papers. Skill C4 is developed in classes and is emphasised in the preparation of assignments, term papers and projects. Portuguese C1 and C2 are developed during class based instruction and in contact with teachers during office hours and via email. C5 is acquired in class-based instruction and in contact with teachers during office hours and via email. Assessment Methods Economics Achievement of practical skills C1, C3 and C4 is assessed directly through marked assignments, tests, term papers, project work and unseen closed-book examinations. Skill C2 is assessed indirectly via assignments, term papers, projects and final examinations. Portuguese Skills C1 and C2 are directly assessed directly through written coursework and unseen final examinations. Skills C2 and C6 are assessed indirectly via coursework and final examinations, and directly via oral examinations and presentations. |
D: Key Skills
|
Learning Methods Economics Students are guided in lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers in acquiring skills D1, D3, D4, D6. Skills D3 and D4 are reinforced through the quantitative methods course, and courses in theoretical and applied economics. Skill D6 is enhanced as students reflect upon the knowledge they need when researching term papers and their final year projects. Portuguese D1: class discussion; written coursework. D6: coursework, independent learning.Only minimal formally assessed requirements for the completion of the programme are listed here. In reality, the overwhelming majority of BA Economics with Portuguese students acquire a much broader range of key skills, and at greater depth, in ways that are integrated seamlessly throughout their studies of the subject. Assessment Methods Economics Skills D1 and D4 are assessed through marked assignments, tests, term papers, projects and unseen closed-book examinations. Skill D3 is assessed through tests and unseen closed-book examinations. Skill D6 is assessed indirectly through students' capacity to construct submitted work (assignments, term papers and projects for which feedback is given) and their study plans for unseen tests and examinations. Portuguese D1: written coursework/exams; oral presentations D6: regular assessed coursework/exams. |
SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE
Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary,
and view module details in the module directory.
Additional notes on module choices:
Students who fail their language module in either the first or second year may be able to transfer to an economics degree.
Students are required to reach at least the level of LA350. If this is achieved in the second year, then it is permissible (but not recommended) for no language module to be taken in the final year.
The 8-week residency abroad may be completed in one stretch or it may comprise several shorter stays. Either is permitted so long as the 8-week requirement has been met prior to the October of the final year. The period abroad is not assessed in any way but it is a progression requirement.
In order to be eligible for the award of a degree at the end of the final year, at least 210 credits must be achieved at level 5 and 6, with a minimum of 90 credits at level 6. Students who have 30 credits of fail from their first or second year of study must pass all their Final year modules.
15 credit components are not to be aggregated into 30 credit components unless a 30 credit option substitutes for two 15 credit options.
Year 1
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | EC111-4-FY | INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS | Core |
| 02 | EC114-4-FY (1 X 30 CREDITS) OR MA114-4-AU AND MA108-4-SP (2 X 15 CREDITS) | Core with Options | |
| 03 | EC115-4-FY (1 X 30 CREDITS) OR MA104-4-AU AND MA118-4-SP (2 X 15 CREDITS) | Core with Options | |
| 04 | LA333-4-FY OR LA340-4-FY (1 X 30 CREDITS) | Compulsory with Options |
Year 2
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | EC201-5-FY | MACROECONOMICS (INTERMEDIATE) | Compulsory |
| 02 | EC202-5-FY | MICROECONOMICS (INTERMEDIATE) | Compulsory |
| 03 | LA340-5-FY OR LA350-5-FY (1 X 30 CREDITS) | Core with Options | |
| 04 | 2ND YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 05 | 2ND YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS) | Optional |
Year 3
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | EC831-6-FY | PROJECT: ECONOMICS | Compulsory |
| 02 | LA350-6-FY OR LA360-6-FY (1 X 30 CREDITS) | Compulsory with Options | |
| 03 | FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 04 | FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 05 | FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 06 | FINAL YEAR ECONOMICS OPTION (1 X 15 CREDITS) | Optional |
SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT
Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/rules.htm
Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/
See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Course
Materials Repository.
External Examiner Information
- Name: Dr Marco Ercolani
- Institution: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
- Academic Role: Lecturer
NOTE
The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)