The Macroeconomic Environment of Business

This course introduces the concepts of macroeconomics. Why do interest rates, employment, and inflation all go up together in an economic expansion? Why do central bankers lower interest rates when the economy nears a recession? In what ways can a crisis in financial markets negatively affect an otherwise healthy economy? These, and others, are the key questions that will be addressed in the course.
This module attempts to set the analysis in a business and policy perspective. It is designed for students to understand the macroeconomic forces that operate in the economy. It will enable them to analyse these aspects using a number of techniques and theories. The second year course will develop knowledge of economic theory and the techniques and practices used by policy makers. It provides a keystone for subsequent study of economics and other related disciplines of business. As such, students are encouraged to access sources of data to provide evidence for economic analysis, and to develop research and investigation.