ECM621-Topics in Business Economics

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Any students from outside the Economics Department need to have at least a basic knowledge of microeconomics. The second half of the module also involves some maths.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Nigel Wadeson
Email: N.S.Wadeson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module covers topics in business economics. About the first half of the material covers the economics of entrepreneurship andÌýtheories of the firm.Ìý Students are required to read and critically evaluate relevant and notable research works on these topics.ÌýA number of other topics are also covered, such as innovation and advertising.Ìý

Aims:
This module covers various topics in business economics not covered in the Economics of Corporate Strategy module. It aims to give knowledge of the relevant areas of business economics and further improve students' analytical skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of relevant topics in business economics.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The content of this module is complementary to that of ECM620 'Economics of Corporate Strategy’, in covering different areas of business economics. The emphasis is on broadening and deepening the knowledge and analytical capabilities of students and encouraging them to critically evaluate notable research in the field.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures which will include group discussions of relevant topics and problems. Students may also be asked to present their essays. Includes 1x 1 hour revision session.Ìý

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One 2-hour unseen written paper.
Postgraduate examinations are held in the Summer term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework consists of one essay and a test. It has a total weight of 30% in the final assessment mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: