ECON9311 – Macroeconomic Topics
Course description
Course content
This is a topics course in modern macroeconomics, with an emphasis on monetary economics. The course studies three central topics,
1. Price and Inflation Determination,
2. Forward Guidance and Fiscal Multipliers,
3. Estimation of New Keynesian Heterogeneous Agent Models.
Learning outcome
The inequality part of the course studies major developments in the economics of inequality, including the main drivers of inequality, the effects of inequality on consumption, wealth, and labor supply. We will also examine risk sharing and the extent to which households can protect themselves against risk. The role of public policy will be a central theme.The firm heterogeneity part of the course studies firm growth and its interaction with financial frictions, innovation, and economic development. The macro/labor part of the course studies unemployment, building on the search-matching framework of Diamond/Mortensen/Pissarides. The class covers macro- and microeconomic questions of the labor market combining theoretical and empirical methods. This includes seminal topic such as why unemployment fluctuates so much over the business cycle, why seemingly identical workers receive different wages, and whether the market allocates the right workers to the right jobs. The monetary economics part (Spring 2018) studies New Keynesian Heterogeneous Agent Models.
Admission
This course is offered to PhD candidates at the Department of Economics. Other candidates admitted to a PhD program may apply to take the course, but must be registered at the University of Oslo.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with ECON5310 – Topics in macroeconomics (discontinued)
- 5 credits overlap with ECON9310
Teaching
Spring 2018: lectures.
Examination
Spring 2016: Candidates writes a referee report on a paper, and present it. Evaluation is based on the written report and the presentation.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.