AØKA08068U Monetary Economics: Macro Aspects

Volume 2014/2015
Education
MSc in Economics
The course is part of the Financial line symbolized by "F".
Content

The aim of the course is to offer an understanding of several aspects of money and the macro economy, thereby providing insights into how and why monetary phenomena and policy affect important macroeconomic aggregates such as output, consumption, inflation and unemployment. Moreover, focus will be on the characteristics of “good” monetary policymaking in the sense of assessing the advantages and disadvantages of various monetary policy strategies.

To secure a firm foundation for the aspects covered, emphasis will be on rigorously formulated theoretical models. Economic intuition, however, is just as important as mathematical formalism. Although the curriculum will be mainly theoretical, the empirical relevance of the material will not be underplayed.
Particular aspects to be covered include:

 

  • money’s role in flexible-price general equilibrium models
  • money’s role with incomplete nominal adjustment
  • credibility problems in monetary policy
  • the importance of institutional frameworks for monetary policy
  • international monetary policy coordination
  • inflation targeting

 

For a detailed look into the general workings of the course, please consult last year’s public course home page at http://www.econ.ku.dk/personal/henrikj/monec2014/.

Learning Outcome

In this course, students are trained to use formal macroeconomic theory to assess real-life monetary policy issues as well as being able to understand modern research papers in the area. The course is based on a combination of lectures and classes where the lecturer and students together solve various problems.

In order to follow this course, students must be familiar with advanced macroeconomic theory. Hence, basic intertemporal optimization techniques (as used in, for example, Ramsey growth models), and analyses of static and dynamic systems with rational expectations should be known. Students should therefore not be afraid of mathematical rigor.

Notably, students are expected to be able to move beyond the mere mechanics of the theories and be capable of presenting formal results in economic and intuitive terms. This provides the students with valuable skills for later employment in both public and private institutions with financial and macroeconomic focus.

The evaluation is based on a three-hour closed-book written exam, where students will be tested in their skills in mathematical derivation of central results in the macroeconomics of monetary theory as well as in their capabilities of explaining results in plain words. Hence, in order to pass the course with the highest grade, the students must demonstrate both knowledge about the mathematical details of various models covered in the course, as well as showing a solid understanding of the economic mechanisms that are behind the mathematical results.

Syllabus:
The curriculum will consist of a large part of Carl. E. Walsh (2010): Monetary Theory and Policy. Third Edition, The MIT Press, and a number of articles

As some of the material requires a thorough understanding of macroeconomic general equilibrium models, it is a prerequisite to master economic theory at a level corresponding to David Romer (2006): Advanced Macroeconomics, McGraw-Hill (currently covered in Macro C in the new studyplan). In particular, the chapter on the Ramsey model should be known. One should therefore be familiar with basic intertemporal optimization, and analyses of static and dynamic systems with rational expectations.
Most importantly, one should not be afraid of mathematical rigor. At the end of the day it merely serves to create conclusions and policy implications that are internally consistent. Not a bad starting point for organizing your thoughts. And remember that it's the economics which is the important stuff; the math is just a helpful tool!
2 hours of lectures one to two times per week for 14 weeks.

The lectures will be divided in 2/3 lectures and 1/3 classes where students and teacher solve problems together.

Time and room:
Time and room for the lectures and exercise classes: Please press the link under "Se skema" (See schedule). 15F means Spring (Forår) 2015.

The springsemester is available partly in English at this link:
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​KU1415/​reporting/​textspreadsheet?objectclass=module&idtype=id&identifier=43795&t=SWSCUST+module+textspreadsheet&days=1-5&weeks=27-52&periods=1-68&template=SWSCUST+module+textspreadsheet

The first lecture in the springsemester will be the 2.th of February 2015 at 13.00 o´clock (1.00 PM).
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
A 3 hours written assignment without aids.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
100 % censorship
Exam period
For the Spring semester 2015: From 26 May to 28 June 2015 Written exam will be the 12 of June 2015 The written exam takes place at Peter Bangsvej 36, 2000 Frederiksberg http://pc-eksamen.ku.dk/pc_exam More information is available at https://intranet.ku.dk/economics_ma/examination/Pages/default.aspx
Re-exam
Same as ordinary. But if only a few students have registered for the re-exam, the exam might change to an oral exam with a synopsis to be handed in. This means that the examination date also will change.
Criteria for exam assesment

The student must in a satisfactory way demonstrate that he/she has mastered the learning outcome of the course.