Referring to knowledge

The course is structured around three main types of learning activity.

First, students attend both on-campus and online classes of two different types:

a) Lectures with a practical component, during which the teaching staff explains the main concepts of each topic and provides the theoretical tools to analyse them as well as applied examples. These sessions take place with the full class group and have a duration of between one and a half and three hours per week.

b) Practical sessions, devoted to a variety of activities such as:

• numerical exercises;
• discussion of set texts related to the topics covered in class, based on problems or texts provided in advance for the student to solve or read beforehand;
• presentation and discussion of case studies and economic reports applying fundamental analytical tools—for example, conducting an analysis of a country, a market, or a trade bloc.

Students are assessed on a continuous basis by means of the following activities:

a) Practical exercises, discussion of readings, presentation and discussion of case studies or economic reports, carried out individually or in small groups, on a weekly or fortnightly basis. These activities are organised according to the size of the class group and may include the assessment of both written and oral presentations in class. (Weighting: 10–40% of the final grade.)

b) Two or three continuous assessment tests consisting of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and/or analytical exercises. (Weighting: 50–90% of the continuous assessment grade.)

c) Resolution of short exercises or brief questions undertaken during lectures without prior notice. (Weighting: 0–10% of the final grade, depending on the organisational arrangements of each group.)

The organisation and timing of activities a) and b) as well as the weighting of each component in the final grade, will be announced at the beginning of the course on the Virtual Campus.

Examination-based assessment

The single mode of assessment consists of a final examination worth 100% of the final grade. This examination covers all topics addressed in both the theoretical and practical sessions.

At the start of the course, the procedure and deadline for students that wish to opt out of continuous assessment and request single assessment are specified on the Virtual Campus.

Repeat assessment

Repeat assessment, which takes place in July, consists of an examination with the same format as that of teh single assessment exam and is worth 100% of the final grade. It is open to all students—whether enrolled under continuous or single assessment—who have failed or not presented for the ordinary examination session.

Note 1. As part of the Faculty of Economics and Business’ ongoing Teaching Quality Enhancement Project—promoted by the Research, Innovation and Teaching Improvement Unit (RIMDA) and the Office of the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Academic Organisation—teaching methodologies in some course groups may differ slightly from those described above. Details of any such variations will be published on the Virtual Campus at the beginning of the semester.

Note 2. The EUS group may follow a slightly different assessment method. The EUS group, owing to its particular characteristics, may employ an alternative method of assessment. Any such differences will be communicated at the beginning of the course.