Economics B , 30 credits
(Nationalekonomi B , 30 högskolepoäng)
| Course code | NE018G |
|---|---|
| Subject area | Economics |
| Main field of study | Economics |
| Progressive specialisation | G1F (First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements) |
| Academic school | School of Social Sciences |
| Disciplary domain |
Social sciences 100%
|
| Grading scale | AF |
| Education cycle | First-cycle (Bachelor) |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Valid from | Autumn semester 2026 |
Validation
This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University on 2025-11-21 .
Entry requirements
Economics A, 30 credits. You also need: English 6 or the equivalent.
Learning outcomes
On completing the course, the student can:
Intermediate Macroeconomics, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe macroeconomic models when analysing economic development, unemployment and inflation
- describe economic relationships that affect the economy in the short and long run
Skills and ability
- use macroeconomic models when analysing economic development, unemployment and inflation
- use economic theory to explain economic disturbances and economic growth
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to theories that explain the functioning of the economy at the macro level
Intermediate Microeconomics, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe how market price formation works and the role of the market system in the distribution of resources in society
- describe economic relationships that affect markets in the short and long term
Skills and ability
- analyse consumer choices under uncertainty
- conduct model‑based analyses of microeconomic problems
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to theories that explain the functioning of the economy at the micro level
Econometrics, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe the assumptions made in the classical regression model
Skills and ability
- compile and analyse data qualitatively, in tables and figures
- perform linear regressions and analyse the results
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to the limitations of the econometric theory and method applied in the course
Optional Course: Intermediate Applied Microeconomics, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe key microeconomic theories and models, with particular emphasis on their empirical applications
- explain how microeconomic concepts such as incentives, efficiency, and market structure are used to analyse current socio‑economic issues
Skills and abilities
- identify relevant microeconomic questions in empirical data and apply appropriate analytical tools to investigate them
- conduct basic microeconomic analyses using quantitative methods and interpret the results in relation to economic theory
Judgement and approach
- critically examine the assumptions of microeconomic models and their relevance for different types of applications
- reflect on the role of microeconomic analysis in policy decisions and societal development, including ethical and sustainability aspects
Optional course: Corporate Governance, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe different forms of corporate governance, ownership structures and their impact on company performance
- recognise the conflict between managers and owners, costs of corporate governance, incentive‑driven contracts that regulate management control, and company acquisition as a mechanism for discipline
Skills and ability
- apply economic theory to analyse the link between ownership structure and economic development
- investigate the conflict between managers and owners, agent costs, contracts based on incentives in relation to control of managers, and company acquisition as a mechanism for discipline
Judgement and approach
- critically examine and interpret financial information about companies and economic development
- critically analyse how firms are related to each other and to the economy as a whole
Optional course: Financial Economics, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe how financial markets and institutions function and the role they play in a market economy
- describe the pricing of financial instruments and assets, as well as theories that explain the determination of interest rates and forward rates
Skills and ability
- apply economic theory to analyse financial systems and economic development
- explain and calculate risk premiums and how a portfolio of instruments can be composed to minimise risk, given the choice of risk exposure
Judgement and approach
- critically examine and interpret financial information about financial markets and economic development
- critically analyse how financial markets are related to each other and to the economy as a whole
Optional course: International Trade Theory, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe the incentives that govern the international division of labour and the impact on economic growth and structural transformation
- describe the difference between models for intra‑industrial and inter‑industrial trade and understand in which contexts these models can be used
Skills and ability
- use different models that deal with migration and international capital flows and show how these conditions affect the functioning of the economy in the short and long term
- use models to evaluate the effects of outsourcing
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to theories that explain internationalisation and international trade
Optional course: Development Economics, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe how modern growth theories can be used to investigate a poor country’s opportunities for development
- describe how international trade and trade policy affect the development of a poor country
- describe how poverty, inequality, malnutrition and migration affect a poor country's opportunities for development
Skills and ability
- apply economic theory to analyse the opportunities and obstacles that a poor country faces
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to growth theories and poor countries' opportunities for economic development
Optional course: Socio‑Economic Institutions, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe how institutions influence economic behaviour in the market economy as a culturally and socially embedded system
- describe the interaction between culture and institutions, as well as interpersonal relationships
Skills and ability
- apply basic socioeconomic theory to analyse how the interaction between culture and institutions, and interpersonal relationships, affects the functioning of the market economy
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to socioeconomic theory that explains how culture and institutions influence the functioning of the market economy
Optional course: Public Finance, 7.5 credits
Knowledge and understanding
- describe the attitude to taxation and public expenditure in consequence‑oriented (consequentialist) and procedure‑based (contractarian) approaches, as well as spontaneous order
- describe fiscal sociology as sub‑discipline of economics, in which public finance is considered from a broad social science perspective
Skills and ability
- apply contractarianism, spontaneous order, and fiscal sociology to analyse institutions through which wealth is distributed, as well as the consequences of this distribution
Judgement and approach
- critical approach to economic theory to analyse the budget process, taxation, and public expenditure
Course content, modules and examinations
Economics B consists of compulsory and elective courses. The compulsory courses are Econometrics, 7.5 credits, Intermediate Macroeconomics 7.5 credits, and Intermediate Microeconomics 7.5 credits. In addition, students select one optional course worth 7.5 credits. Not all electives are offered every semester, but students are guaranteed a selection of modules that correspond to the total scope of the course.
Intermediate Macroeconomics, 7.5 credits
(Intermediär Makroekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The purpose of the course is to provide students with knowledge in various modern macroeconomic models. The course uses models to explain both endogenous and exogenous long-term economic long-term economic growth. To increase understanding of factors that affect the economy in the short term and in what way fiscal policy and monetary policy are assumed to stabilize the economy, economic models such as the AD-AS model are used. Economic theory is also used to empirically investigate and understand macroeconomic phenomena.
1001, Intermediate Macroeconomics, 7.5 credits
(Intermediär makroekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFIntermediate Microeconomics, 7.5 credits
(Intermediär Mikroekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
After completing the course Intermediate microeconomics, students have gained an in-depth understanding of the economic theory of economic choice, market price formation and the role of the market system in the distribution of society's resources. In addition, consumers' choices under complete and uncomplete information as well as the role of market prices as information carriers and resource allocation mechanisms are addressed. The module also describes the concepts of public goods, external effects and asymmetric information and explains the concepts' analytical use in microeconomic-theory.
1002, Intermediate Microeconomics , 7.5 credits
(Intermediär Mikroekonomi , 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFEconometrics , 7.5 credits
(Ekonometri, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The purpose of the course is to provide students with knowledge in various modern macroeconomic models. The course uses models to explain both endogenous and exogenous long-term economic long-term economic growth. To increase understanding of factors that affect the economy in the short term and in what way fiscal policy and monetary policy are assumed to stabilize the economy, economic models such as the AD-AS model are used. Economic theory is also used to empirically investigate and understand macroeconomic phenomena.
1003, Econometrics, 7.5 credits
(Ekonometri, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: Intermediate Applied Microeconomics, 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Intermediär tillämpad mikroekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
In the introductory microeconomics course, students are introduced to central market structures and the theoretical foundations of microeconomic analysis. This course builds on that foundation and represents progression through the application of microeconomic theory. The focus is on empirical applications of microeconomic theory, using models and concepts to analyze real-world economic situations. Students will practice identifying relevant microeconomic problems, selecting and justifying appropriate analytical tools, and interpreting results in relation to actual conditions. In this way, students develop the ability to independently apply microeconomic theory in practical and research-oriented contexts.
1004, Intermediate Applied Microeconomics, 7.5 credits
(Intermediär tillämpad mikroekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: Financial Economics , 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Finansiell ekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The aim of the module is to create a deeper understanding of the importance and functioning of the financial markets in a modern market economy. The module first presents the structure of the financial market system. Interest rates are then examined, as well as the importance of risk for the determination of prices for financial and non-financial assets. Dealing with risk in financial institutions is also examined.
1005, Financial Economics , 7.5 credits
(Finansiell ekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: Corporate Governance , 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Företagandets organisation, ägande och finansiering, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
In the first part of the module, neoclassical price theory is developed in order to gain a deeper understanding of price as a mechanism for coordination and resource allocation. This is done in order to investigate whether direct control by a central authority is preferable to decentralised allocation through a pricing system. During the second part of the module, the determinants behind ownership and control are highlighted, as well as the relationship between finance, ownership and control. In this context, classical problems are examined, e.g.: the conflict between managers and owners, agent costs, contracts based on incentives in relation to control of managers, and company acquisition as a mechanism for discipline.
1006, Corporate Governance , 7.5 credits
(Företagandets organisation, ägande och finansiering, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: International Trade Theory, 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Internationell handelsteori, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The course gives an understanding concerning the incentives behind the international division of labour and its implications on economic growth and structural change. The course describes Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage as well as the Heckscher – Ohlin model concerning the importance of differences in factor proportions between countries. Both interindustry and intraindustry trade models will be presented as well as the impact from migration, international capital flows and outsourcing.
1007, International Trade Theory , 7.5 credits
(Internationell handelsteori , 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: Development Economics, 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Utvecklingsekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The course integrates and deepens material from earlier courses in trade and growth theory as well as from basic microeconomics in order to be applied in the perspective of economic development. The course begins with discussing the relation between growth and development. Then we discuss different topics in development economics as the relation between inequality and development as well as the importance of malnutrition for development prospects. The course will also investigate the interaction between the urban and the rural economy and describe the importance of agriculture in poor countries. The course ends with a discussion of the importance of international trade in the perspective of development as well as the impact from trade policy.
1008, Development Economics , 7.5 credits
(Utvecklingsekonomi, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: Socio-Economic Institutions, 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Socioekonomiska institutioner, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Socio-Economic Institutions studies how institutions influence economic behavior in a larger social and cultural context. The role of institutions within the socio-economic system and for how natural resources are used is analyzed. Differences in importance between cultural and natural resources, the interaction between culture and institutions, and the cultural context of entrepreneurship are studied. Interpersonal relations and the importance of morality of the market are considered.
1009, Socio-Economic Institutions, 7.5 credits
(Socioekonomiska institutioner, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFOptional course: Public Finance, 7.5 credits
(Valbar delkurs: Offentlig finansiering, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Public Finance studies the link between taxation and political decision making as well as the economic consequences to society of taxation. Consequence-oriented, procedure-based, and spontaneous order-based approaches to taxation and public expenditures are compared. Fiscal-sociological method is used to study the budget process and the interaction between taxation and public expenditures, and between state and market.
1010, Public Finance, 7.5 credits
(Offentlig finansiering, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted: AFCourse design
The course consists of lectures, seminars and group work. The Econometrics module also includes computer exercises.
Examination format
Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
Intermediate Microeconomics
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
Econometrics
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
- Computer exercises
Optional course: Intermediate applied microeconomics
- Written in‑person examination
Optional course: Financial Economics
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
Optional course: Corporate Governance
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
Optional course: International Trade Theory
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
Optional course: Development Economics
- Written in‑person examination
- Written hand‑in assignments that may provide bonus points to be added to the exam results. Any awarded bonus points are valid for the first examination and for the next re‑examination opportunity in the same academic year
Optional course: Socio‑Economic Institutions
- Written take‑home exam
- Written hand‑in assignments
- Active participation in seminars
Optional course: Public Finance
- Written take‑home exam
- Written hand‑in assignments
- Active participation in seminars
The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.
If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.
Restrictions on accreditation
The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.