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ECON-S2001

Analysis of contemporary economic issues

academic year
2024-2025
2025-2026

Course teacher(s)

Jean-Pierre DE LAET (Coordinator) and Filipp Ushchev

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

The course will be devoted to the analysis of contemporary economic issues, selected according to most recent developments, at Belgian, European and international level. Relevant methodological aspects will be discussed in-depth. The possible topics covered will be the following: recent economic and fiscal developments, including consequences of the Covid 19 crisis and the war in Ukraine, the European Union economic governance, the European Semester and the Recovery and Resilience Fund, tax policy, developments in international trade, trade policy, migration, the European Green Deal and the energy crisis.

 This course contributes to the Governance pedagogical pathway of the Sustainable Development initiative that seek to provide an integrated training in sustainability.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

At the end of the teaching unit the student will be able to:

  • Apply economic concepts and theories to critically analyse contemporary economic issues;
  • Find economic indicators in order to provide empirical evidence about these issues;
  • Perform simple data analysis;
  • Propose economic reforms to address economic policy challenges;
  • Communicate in writing and orally about contemporary economic issues.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures, practical sessions, guidance sessions and collaborative teaching.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

The References, bibliography and recommended readings will be made available on the "Université virtuelle".

Course notes

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

The course will contribute to the development of the following elements of the Bachelor in economic sciences teaching profile:

  • Apply fundamental concepts, tools and models in economics and management to formulate a well-defined problem and propose a multi-disciplinary solution relevant to the economic context;
  • Integrate sustainable development in analyses;
  • Display critical thinking, logical and abstract reasoning and develop and independent approach to learning;
  • Work and communicate effectively as a part of a team in an international and multicultural environment;
  • Recognize ethical dilemmas and contribute to solving them.

Other information

Contacts

Jean-Pierre De Laet. E-mail contact address: jean-pierre.de.laet@ulb.be
Philip Ushchev. E-mail contact address: filipp.ushchev@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • written examination
  • Oral examination
  • Group work
  • Oral presentation

written examination

Oral examination

Group work

Oral presentation

First session:

The evaluation will be based upon the following methods: group presentations, written examination.

Second session:

Written or oral examination.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

First session:

A weighting of 40% will be attributed to the results of the group presentations. A weighting of 60% will be attributed to the results of the written examination.

Second session:

100% of the marks are attributed on the basis of the results of the examination.

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes