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351-1158-00L 3 Credits BSC , DS D-HEST , D-GESS , D-BAUG , D-USYS
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Principles of Economics

Ökonomie

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Ursula Renold, Dr. Thomas Bolli, Dr. Filippo Pusterla, Dr. Patrick McDonald, Dr. Maria Esther Oswald-Egg
VVZ CR 4.4

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:51

Abstract

This course introduces basic economic concepts and theories. Beginning with microeconomics, the course starts with the topics of supply and demand, markets, and behavioral economics before moving on to the key macroeconomic concepts of national accounts, the labor market, trade, and monetary policy.

Objective

After successful completion of the course you will be able to: -Describe the basic micro- and macroeconomic problems and theories. -Introduce economic reasoning appropriately to a given topic. -Evaluate economic measures.

Content

Households, firms, supply and demand: How are household preferences and consumption patterns formed? How does a household react to price changes? How are goods prices formed? At what prices are companies willing to offer goods? How do we make economic decisions? Markets: What is "perfect competition" and how does a competitive market work? Are monopolies always a bad thing? How can the state influence the market? Market failure: What happens when prices give wrong signals? Labour market: How do supply and demand work in the labour market? What influences unemployment? National accounts: How big is the Swiss economy? Foreign trade: Why do countries trade with each other? What are the consequences for the domestic market? Money and inflation: What exactly is money? How does money creation work and what happens when there is too much (or too little) money on the market? Students will be asked to apply these concepts to issues in their own field of study and to current issues in society. This goal will be achieved through participation in exercises, class discussions and reading material from current media. By the end of the course, students should be able to apply economic analysis confidently and independently.

Resources

Lecture Notes

no script available

Literature

Mankiw, N.G.: "Principles of Economics", 8th edition, South-Western College/West, Mason 2018.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , DS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 90 minutes
Aids
Sie dürfen eine gedruckte 30-seitige Zusammenfassung in den Raum mitbringen.Achtung: die Zusammenfassung kann Sie unterstützen aber Sie werden eigene Antworten zu den Fragen formulieren müssen - «Copy-Paste» wird nicht ausreichen.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Ökonomie
In classroom, online via livestreaming or zoom and recorded (Einführungsvorlesung 22.9. sowie Gastvorlesung 10.11.). In classroom, online via livestreaming or zoom, not recorded (4 groups); 6 Präsenzveranstaltungen. Online via livestreaming or zoom and recorded (1 group only zoom, this will be recorded).
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (HG E 41)
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (LEE C 104)
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (LEE C 114)
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (LEE D 101)
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (LEE D 105)
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (ML D 28)
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (ML E 12)
2 h weekly

Offered In