View Specification DocumentAlternative Perspectives on Topics in Economics ECON4073
- 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
The course performs a deep dive into alternative economic perspectives. Throughout the course, the students will study and apply alternative ways of economic thinking through a critical exploration of contemporary topics about government, competition, identity, property rights, religion, inequality, environment and more. The course highlights the diverse and interdisciplinary ways of "doing economics" in a heterodox manner and traces the normative, institutional and political implications of such scholarly explorations.
Timetable
Lectures: (10 x 2-hour lectures)
Revision Lecture: (1x1 hour lecture)
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 ECON1013, 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
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
1. Oral & Written Assignment: creative video; Group; 1000-1500 word script, 10-15 minute video; 50%; ILOs 1.
2. Oral assessment: in-person; Individual; 10 minutes per student; 50%; ILOs 2-3.
Course Aims
The main aims of this course are to:
■ Familiarise students with non-mainstream approaches to economic analysis.
■ Analyse and discuss important economic topics of contemporary interest.
■ Highlight the political stance underpinning alternative economic approaches and the policy implications deriving from such approaches.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Critically discuss how heterodox economics differs from standard mainstream theory, particularly with regard to their epistemological, philosophical and methodological foundations.
2. Critically analyse the contrasting features of the mainstream and heterodox approaches.
3. Critically contrast policy implications deriving from the heterodox and mainstream economic paradigms.