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ECONOMIC METHODOLOGY
ALESSIO MONETA
Academic year2020/21
CourseECONOMICS
Code586PP
Credits6
PeriodSemester 1
LanguageItalian

ModulesAreaTypeHoursTeacher(s)
ECONOMIC METHODOLOGYSECS-P/01LEZIONI42
PIETRO GUARNIERI unimap
ALESSIO MONETA unimap
Learning outcomes
Knowledge

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the main topics of economic methodology, linking
philosophical issues with practical problems that economists face in the confrontation of models with
data. The course focuses on forms of explanation in economics; foundational issues of probability,
statistical and causal inference; the role of models and their appraisal; issues in decision theory and the
methodology of experimental economics.

Skills

Attending this course, students will strengthen their ability to critically evaluate the scientific contribution
of diverse economic research and to develop a clear scientific argument in economics. They will also
learn how to better work with economic data and use the diverse empirical methods and modeling
approaches with a clear understanding of their limits and possibilities.

Prerequisites

It is assumed that the student has taken a course of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Statistics.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures (online on MSTeams).

Bibliography
  • Reiss J. (2013) Philosophy of Economics. A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge (selected chapters)
  • Imai, K. (2017) Quantitative Social Science. An Introduction. Princeton University Press (selected chapters)
  • Hájek, A. and N. Hall (2008), Induction and probability, in The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Science.
  • Hausman, D. (2011), Preference, value, choice, and welfare. Cambridge University Press (selected chapters).
  • Guala, Francesco (2005), The methodology of experimental economics. Cambridge University Press, 2005 (selected chapters)

Further readings (mainly articles) will be provided during the course.

Assessment methods

Based on assignments given during the lectures, an open-book written test and a final oral exam.

Notes

The Time schedule is

  • Monday 16:00-17:30
  • Thursday 10:30-12:00

The first lecture will take place on 24th September 2020

Updated: 21/09/2020 23:55