University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Available to General Degree students with the permission of the Honours Adviser

Planned timetable: To be arranged.

Evaluating the causal effects of economic policies is an important but complex and challenging task. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the core methods for evaluating the causal effect of economic policies and to apply these methods in practice. It will expose students to the concept of causality and explain under which assumptions the causal effect of economic policies can be identified. The module will have a strong focus on applications and will emphasise problems that economists encounter in practice when evaluating economic policies. Empirical examples will deal mainly with policies in labour economics and development economics. The laboratory sessions will discuss important empirical studies in the field and will provide students with the opportunity to apply empirical methods hands-on using Stata.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EC3301 or pass MT3508 or pass EC5203

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 20 hours of lectures over 11 weeks, 1-hour laboratories (x 5 weeks) plus 1 optional office hour (x 12 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 25

Guided independent study hours: 175

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework (incl. Class Test 25%) = 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 75%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 25%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr T Barsbai
Module teaching staff: Dr Toman Barsbai
Module coordinator email toman.barsbai@st-andrews.ac.uk