OVERVIEW

The course aims at providing a general introduction to economics and basic elements for the analysis of territorial and regional economic phenomena.
By the end of the course, students will have achieved competences that will allow them to understand and interpret the economic dynamics at local level.

In the 6-credits course, basic elements of all the topics included in the syllabus (see below) will be developed. For the 9-credits course, specific in-depth projects on various topics included in the syllabus (see below) are developed, also agreed with the students, and also using active, interactive, constructive teaching methods.

For the 9-credits course, specific in-depth studies on various topics included in the syllabus (see below) are developed, also agreed with the students, and also using active, interactive, constructive teaching methods.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides a good knowledge of the localization theory of productive activities, of the analysis models of regional economics and development policies with a special focus on local development.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

In particular, the course at providing knowledge on a series of topics including:  that will allow the students to understand the general micro- and macro-economic context, as well as different economic phenomena such as local development, unbalances in regional development, and globalization:

• Microeconomics: consumption, production, market organization;
• Macroeconomics: the aggregate demand and supply; general equilibrium;
• Economics in the geographical space;
• the city as an economic space;
• Regional economic policies.

The course also aims at providing, at a basic level, functional literacy competence (ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form, with the use of suitable sources and aids), personal competence (ability to identify one's own skills and abilities concentration and critical reflection on a topic) and the ability to learn ("learning to learn", i.e. learning strategies, organization and assessment of personal learning) also by applying active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies.

At the end of the course, the students should be able to understand the general micro- and macro-economic context, as well as different economic phenomena such as local development, unbalances in regional development, and globalization:

TEACHING METHODS

General part of the course: face-to-face lectures, using Aulaweb and the most suitable audiovisual aids.

In-depth isights: active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies, namely Cooperative Learning (Debate, Think-Pair-Share) and Didactics for groups and/or projects.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

9-credit Course:

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS -  The economic system – microeconomics and key actors: individuals (families) and companies, demand and supply of goods and factors  – macroeconomics: production, GDP, income, expenditures - circular income flow  – consumption, savings and investment- currency and interest rate - the role of the State: taxes and public expenditures – the big "open questions" and economic policy.

REGIONAL ECONOMICS -  Economics in the geographical space: territorial systems in the global economy – economic regions, productive specialization, localization factors – localization and local development theories and models – industrial districts (introduction) – globalization and growth unbalances.

THE CITY AS AN ECONOMIC SPACE:  - The economics of territorial concentration - City formation and value of the urban space theories – urban cycle, technological revolutions, city localization drivers –  innovation, city networks, city and firms' location patterns  (introduction) - regional and urban development, costs and benefits - sustainable urban mobility policies - goals and tools of land/urban planning. 

6-credit Course: 

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS -  The economic system – microeconomics and key actors: individuals (families) and companies, demand and supply of goods and factors  – macroeconomics: production, GDP, income, expenditures - circular income flow  – consumption, savings and investment- currency and interest rate - the role of the State: taxes and public expenditures – the big "open questions" and economic policy.

REGIONAL ECONOMICS -  Economics in the geographical space: territorial systems in the global economy – economic regions, productive specialization, localization factors – localization and local development theories and models – industrial districts (introduction) – globalization and growth unbalances.

Note: students attending and non-attending the lectures share the same syllabus. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Please refer to the teaching materials issued on the Aulaweb, which can be integrated with the bibliographical references mentioned therein. 

In addition, for the part of regional economics:

6-Credit Course: presentations or lectures available on the Aulaweb, as well as Flavio Boscacci (2011), Economia del territorio, Pitagora Editrice, Bologna, Chapters 1-7

9-Credit Course: as above (6-credits), plus - namely for the topics concerning the city, sustainability, urban mobility, etc., you can refer to: Enrico Musso (2023) Trasporti. L'economia, la storia, le imprese, l'ambiente, Giappichelli Editore, Torino (namely, chapters 3 and 12). 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ENRICO MUSSO (President)

CLAUDIA BURLANDO

CLAUDIO FERRARI

HILDA GHIARA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will take place in the second semester (February-May) and starts according to the general timetable issued by the Department.

Class schedule

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ECONOMY AND ECONOMY OF THE TERRITORY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Mandatory written and oral examination. 

On a voluntary basis, individual students or small groups can agree on insights through workshops and laboratories - conducted with active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies (cooperative learning, group or project teaching) - on topics that combine concepts and problems addressed in the course with specific topics also linked to current affairs in the world of transport, giving rise to short essays or presentations at the end of the work.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Organization of the exam:

• Mandatory written exam for all students
• Oral examination after passing the written exam

The inscription to the exam through the University website (www.unige.it) is mandatory.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs (BES) are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.