University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

A technocratic, obscuring kind of language pervades much of today’s mainstream economic discourse. We are told by the political and media establishment that questions of policy are best left to ‘the experts’ and, when it comes to austerity type policies, that ‘there is no alternative’ (TINA). The central objective of this course is to provide activists with the tools necessary to decipher the arguments used by mainstream economic analysts and engage them in debate, to show that there are always economic, political and social alternatives in the resolution of any economic situation.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. - Understand core economic concepts and how economists deploy them.
  2. - Acquire a critical perspective on economic and social issues
  3. - Be able to articulate a well thought out alternative to mainstream economic doctrine
Assessments
  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Principles of Economics" by Gerard Turley, Maureen Maloney and Frances O'Toole
    Publisher: Gill and MacMillan
  2. "Macroeconomics in Context" by Neva Goodwin, Julie Nelson, Jonathal Harris, Brian Roach and James Devine
    Publisher: Routledge
  3. "History of Economic Thought" by E.K. Hunt and Mark Lautzenheiser
    Publisher: Routledge
  4. "The Globalisation Paradox" by Dani Rodrik
    Publisher: Norton and Co.
  5. "Globalizing Capital" by Barry Eichengreen
    Publisher: Princeton University Press
  6. "Bad Samaritans" by Ha-Joon Chang
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Press
  7. "Kicking Away the Ladder" by Ha-Joon Chang
    Publisher: Anthem Press
  8. "The University of Chicago Press" by Paul Bairoch
    Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
The above information outlines module FA550: "How to argue with an Economist" and is valid from 2016 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.