This is an introductory level core course in macroeconomics for those expecting to take further courses in economics. It provides a theoretical and applied approach of introductory macroeconomics, with an international perspective and applications to account for the growing importance of the global economy and the rising openness of economies. The course covers critical issues such as macroeconomic stabilization, distributional equity, environmental considerations, and the adequacy of living standards and, while laying down the foundations of the core principles of economic theory and analysis, it contextualises the relevance, applicability and limitations of theories providing a pluralistic view from the macroeconomic perspectives. The course offers abundance of current real-world examples and applications to make theoretical exposition close to experience. Topics will be treated from a theoretical, mathematical and applied standpoint. The contextualisation will recognise the centrality of three current compelling goals of macroeconomics: (1) improvements in living standards, (2) stability and (3) financial, social, and ecological sustainability, relating them to globalization, inequality, the Great Recession and its aftermath. The ultimate objectives are to bridge theoretical and factual knowledge of current economic issues and to gain an understanding of real world events, of macroeconomic policies and of their effects on business and organizations.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain and understand the context of economic analysis: economic activities, interactions across agents, markets and countries in generating distributing and using resources
2. Gain knowledge of methodology and tools of economic analysis, to use macroeconomic measurements (the current approach and the environmental and social dimensions) and to identify the interaction of economics with other social sciences.
3. Gain clear insights of different theories, and analytical methods in macroeconomics, and become aware of the importance of the model-based approach to study macroeconomic issues such as business cycles, unemployment, inflation, deficit and debts, international borrowing and lending, inequality.
4. Contextualise and apply economic theories to real world factual evidence and current policy issues (such as: financial-social-environmental sustainability issues) and to use quantitative methods and computing techniques relevant to the study of economics
5. Distinguish between and evaluate fiscal and monetary policies, explain competently the causes and effects of globalization for consumers, firms and national economies and identify major institutions promoting global trade and development
6. Handle and interpret data relevant to the study of economics in the context of international markets.