Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 23/06/2020
College College Social Sciences
School Birmingham Business School
Department Economics
Partner College and School Modern Languages
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.Sc. Economics with German Full-time
Programme Code 519E
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme This programme provides students with an understanding of economic concepts, principles and tools, and their application combined with a thorough grounding in German language skills.

The programme aims to stimulate students intellectually through the study of economics and to lead them to appreciate its application to a range of problems and its relevance in a variety of contexts. Students should receive a firm foundation of knowledge about the workings of economic systems and develop the relevant skills for the constructive use of that knowledge in a range of settings.

The first year of the programme provides a foundation in economics and develops the main quantitative tools required through the programme. 20 credits of language modules are also taken.

The second year develops a core of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics, alongside more specialised policy-based and theoretical modules. At least 20 credits of language skills are taken in the second year.

Year Three is spent either studying or working in a country where the chosen language is spoken and the main focus of this year is development of the language.

In the final year of the programme, there is increased flexibility to specialise in a number of theoretical and policy-oriented fields.

The programme provides students with a range of analytical tools that are applicable to the study of Economics and transferable to other areas, including analytical and quantitative skills and an ability to develop simplifying frameworks for studying the real world. On graduating, students will be well prepared to work in a range of graduate careers, for example in banking, finance or general management careers, or to progress to Masters-level study in Economics.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the German language as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation.
Economic concepts and principles addressing microeconomic issues, such as consumption, production, markets and market failure, economic welfare, and macroeconomic issues, such as employment, national income, the balance of payments, economic growth, business cycles, and the role of the financial system in the economy.
Relevant quantitative methods and tools for data analysis including appropriate mathematical and statistical methods, computational techniques and econometrics, taking into account compliance with data usage regulations.
Relevant verbal, graphical, mathematical and econometric representations and communication of economic ideas and analysis, in various relevant media.
Relevant theoretical, model-based and empirical analytical tools, and different methodological approaches to the analysis of economic policy and applications of relevant economic principles and reasoning.
Formal language classes combined with extensive reading and other forms of exposure to and practice in German. Residence abroad. Lectures, small-group classes, computer based learning, independent learning and research.

Lectures, small-group classes, computer based learning, independent learning and research.
Coursework (essays, dissertations, project work, oral presentations), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations.

Unseen written examinations, coursework, problem sets, tests.
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Advanced language skills (written and oral, receptive and productive, cognitive and practical) in German.
Ability to abstract and simplify in order to identify and model the essence of a problem ., provide framework for analysis which can be applied to various contexts such as evaluation of economic policy and applied topics.
Ability to apply logical reasoning, analysis and assumption-based models to enhance problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to compare different economic outcomes, before and after a change in the underlying parameters and consider parameter changes in broader social and political contexts.
Ability to research, assimilate, assess reliability, structure, analyse, evaluate, interpret, present and communicate qualitative and quantitative data, economic concepts and reasoning including following ethical principles.
Comprehension, analysis, evaluation, distillation and contextualisation of information across a range of subject areas and the application of both generic and subject-specific skills in German.
Interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively and apply generic and practical skills to living and studying/working in a non-English speaking environment.
Lectures, small-group classes, independent learning and research.

Year abroad
Unseen written examinations, coursework, problem sets, tests.