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2021/2022  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 17-06-2021

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 Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Aids Closed book: no aids
However, at all written sit-in exams the student has access to the basic IT application package (Microsoft Office (minus Excel), digital pen and paper, 7-zip file manager, Adobe Acrobat, Texlive, VLC player, Windows Media Player), and the student is allowed to bring simple writing and drawing utensils (non-digital). PLEASE NOTE: Students are not allowed to communicate with others during the exam.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
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

A: Compulsory:

  1. Baldwin, R. and C. Wyplosz (2020), The Economics of European Integration, Sixth Edition, chapters 1-3, 13-19, McGraw-Hill Education.
  2. De Grauwe, P. (2020), Economics of Monetary Union, 13th 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, vol. 19, pp. 646-664.
  4. Blanchard, O. (2019), “Public Debt: Fiscal and Welfare Costs in a Time of Low Interest Rates”, PIIE Policy Brief 19-2.
  5. Ekholm, K. (2020), “Pros and Cons of Participating in the Banking Union”, Nordic Economic Policy Review, pp. 229-259.
  6. Hougaard Jensen, S. and D. Schoenmaker (2020), “Should Denmark and Sweden Join the Banking Union?”, Journal of Financial Regulation, vol. 6, pp. 317–326 DOI:  https:/​/​doi.org/​10.1093/​jfr/​fjaa005.
  7. Blanchard, O., T. Philippon and J. Pisani-Ferry (2020), “A New Policy Toolkit Is Needed as Countries Exit COVID-19 Lockdowns”, Bruegel Policy Contribution 12/2020, Bruegel.
  8. Lecture notes

 

B: Cursory

  1. Blanchard, O. (2020), Macroeconomics, Eigth Edition, Pearson.
  2. Merler, S. and J. Pisani-Ferry (2012), “Sudden Stops in the Euro Area”, Bruegel Policy Contribution, Issue 2012/06, Brussels.
  3. European Fiscal Board (2020), Assessment of the Fiscal Stance Appropriate for the Euro Area in 2021. https:/​/​ec.europa.eu/​info/​sites/​info/​files/​2020_06_25_efb_assessment_of_euro_area_fiscal_stance_en.pdf.
  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. Debrun, X. and L. Jonung (2019), “Under Threat: Rules-Based Fiscal Policy and How to Preserve It”, European Journal of Political Economy, vol 57, pp. 142-157.

 

Last updated on 17-06-2021