Course Catalogue

Contemporary Issues in Inequality ECON4032

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: Adam Smith Business School
  • Credits: 15
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will explore the definition, measurement, causes and consequences of inequality in both high income and low/middle income countries.

Timetable

■ On-campus lectures: 10 x 2-hours

■ Seminars: 2 x 2 hours

■ Asynchronous activities 20 hours: Asynchronous activities will be integrated to support student engagement with course material and preparation of assessments. Examples of such activities are online discussion forums, readings from articles and other relevant sources and reflective journals or blogs.

Requirements of Entry

University of Glasgow students must have achieved Subject Honours entry requirements as detailed below to enrol on this course. Permission is required for non-Economics students to take this course as an outside option.

A GPA of 12 (average C3) in Economics 2A and 2B with no course grade below D3, attained at the first attempt. A minimum grade of D3 in both ECON1012, Introductory Mathematics for Economists and ECON013, Introductory Statistics for Economists unless exemptions were agreed on the basis of other courses taken in year 1. Refer to course specifications for details. These grades may be achieved at the second attempt.

Excluded Courses

None.

Assessment

1. Written assignment, including essay; Individual; 1000 words; 30%; ILOs 1-5.

2. Degree exam: in-person; Individual; 120 minutes; 70%; ILOs 1-5.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The aims of this course are as follows:

■ To review the various definitions and approaches to measurement of economic inequality and poverty.

■ To consider the patterns of inequalities between different countries and over time.

■ To examine a variety of causes of inequality within different subgroups of the population.

■ To examine the empirical evidence in relation to the causes of inequality.

■ To assess the effectiveness of policy measures aimed at reducing inequality and poverty with a particular focus on current approaches.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Critically assess the various definitions of inequality and poverty.

2. Critically analyse the different patterns of inequalities in the UK; between the UK and other countries and over time.

3. Critically assess the literature on the causes of inequality.

4. Describe, explain and critically evaluate the empirical evidence in relation to the causes of inequality.

5. Describe, explain and critically evaluate any policy measures aimed at reducing poverty and inequality.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions