Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 21/12/2015
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 Japanese Full-time
Programme Code 3804
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 Japanese 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 studying 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 Japanese language as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation.
A coherent core of economic principles including microeconomic issues of decision and choice, the production and exchange of goods, the interdependency of markets, economic welfare, and macroeconomic issues such as employment, inflation, balance of payments, national income, growth, business cycles, money, finance.
Relevant quantitative methods and computational techniques including the appropriate mathematical and statistical methods.
Analytical methods and model-based arguments, and appreciate the existence of different methodological approaches.
Application of economic principles and reasoning to a variety of policy issues.
Relevant presentation of economic ideas and analysis utilising a range of media.
Formal language classes combined with extensive reading and other forms of exposure to and practice in Japanese. Residence abroad. Lectures, small-group classes, computer based learning.

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:
Ability to abstract and simplify in order to identify and model the essence of a problem and apply this approach to different contexts.
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.
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 Japanese.
Ability to assimilate, structure, analyse, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
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.
Advanced language skills (written and oral, receptive and productive, cognitive and practical) in Japanese
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.