Class Introduction to Economy

The course unit Introduction to Economics is fundamental in the Economics degree, providing the basic concepts and methods of economic science. Its scope lies within the social sciences, encompassing the analysis of the behavior of individuals, firms, and institutions, as well as the aggregate functioning of economies. It integrates two main areas of study: microeconomics, which examines markets, demand, supply, and individual decision-making, and macroeconomics, which analyzes phenomena such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment, international trade, and public policies. This course unit is relevant as it provides the theoretical and instrumental foundations for future subjects, promotes a shared scientific language, and develops analytical and critical skills essential for academic progression and professional practice.

Not applicable

Fundamentals of Mathematics         Graphical Representation The Fundamentals of Economics          What Economics Is: What It Studies and Why It Matters          Microeconomics versus Macroeconomics          Principles of Economics          Production Possibility Frontier Market Forces         The Demand Function         The Supply Function         Market         Elasticity Consumer Theory Producer Theory Public Goods, Common Resources and Externalities Firms' Production Decisions Market Structures         Monopoly         Perfect Competition        Oligopoly Factor Markets Income Inequality and Poverty Behavioural Economics National Accounts Production and Growth Unemployment and the Labour Market Savings and Investment Monetary System Single Currency Area The Future of the European Union  

Case studies will be presented and discussed in class by students, concerning atual subjects. Beweekly quizzes  

Mankiw, N. Gregory (2023). Principles in Economics (10th edition). Cengage Learning António Fernandes, E. Pereira, J. P. Bento, M. Madaleno, M. Robaina (2021), Introdução à Economia. 3ª Edição, Edições Silabo. Wilkinson, N. & Klaes, M. (2012). An Introduction to Behavioral Economics (2nd edition). Palgrave Macmillan.   Glenn Hubbard, Anthony P. O¿Brien (2007). Microeconomics (2nd edition). Prentice Hall Mankiw, N. Gregory (2012). Macroeconomics (8ª ed.). Worth Publishers, New York, U.S.A. Nabais, Carlos & Ferreira, Ricardo (2012). Microeconomia - Lições e exercícios (2ª edição). LIDEL, Lisboa, Portugal Samuelson and Nordhaus (2009). Economics (19th edition). McGraw-Hill.