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2020/2021  BA-BHAAV3007U  The Economics of the Euro

English Title
The Economics of the Euro

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 70
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Svend Erik Hougaard Jensen - Department of Economics (ECON)
Main academic disciplines
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 21-10-2020

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Understand the historical background to European economic and monetary integration.
  • Identify the pros and cons of forming a common currency
  • Discuss the need for fiscal rules to constrain governments in the conduct of fiscal policy
  • Understand the role of financial markets to provide reliable information to fiscal authorities
  • Understand the background to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe
  • Understand the design of and the room for manoeuvre to the European Central Bank
  • Explain recent developments in the euro area such as the launch of banking union
  • Relate the challenges of the euro area to other parts of the developed world, primarily the US and Japan
Course prerequisites
Basic knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics and international economics.
Examination
The Economics of the Euro:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The exam is held as a 4-hour written home assignment.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course offers a detailed account of the process towards economic and monetary union in Europe. After a short introduction into the history and an overview of the major institutions of the European Union, we will discuss the theoretical foundations of an economic and monetary union. Then we study the key monetary and fiscal policy arrangements in the euro area, including the European Central Bank and the Stability and Growth Pact. In the final part, we will evaluate the performance of the euro area in light of accumulated evidence over the past decade, and we will look ahead in order to provide an assessment of the risks and opportunities of the euro area. 
Description of the teaching methods
Lectures
Feedback during the teaching period
Office hours
Student workload
Preparation / exam 170 hours
Classes 36 hours
Expected literature
  1. Baldwin, R. and C. Wyplosz (2019), The Economics of European Integration, Sixth Edition,  McGraw-Hill Education.
  2. De Grauwe, P. (2020), Economics of Monetary Union, Thirteenth Edition, Oxford University Press.
  3. Hughes Hallett, A. and S. Hougaard Jensen (2012), “Fiscal Governance in the Euro Area: Institutions vs. Rules”, Journal of European Public Policy, 2012, vol. 19, pp. 646-664.
  4. Claeys, G., Z. Darvas and Á. Leandro (2016), ”A Proposal to Revive the European Fiscal Framework”, Bruegel Policy Contribution, Issue 2016/07, Brussels.
  5. Blanchard, O. (2019), “Public Debt: Fiscal and Welfare Costs in a Time of Low Interest Rates”. PIIE Policy Brief 19-2.
  6. Blanchard, O. and J. Pisani-Ferry (2020), “Monetisation: Do Not Panic”, VOX CEPR Policy Portal, April 2020.
  7. Hougaard Jensen, S. and D. Schoenmaker, 2020, “Should Denmark and Sweden Join the Banking Union?, mimeo.
  8. Schoenmaker, D. (2016), “The Banking Union: An Overview and Open Issues”, chapter 17 in T. Beck and B. Casu (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of European Banking, Springer.
  9. Lecture notes

 
Last updated on 21-10-2020