The economics department at Kingston University expects to have two opportunities for visiting lecturers in business economics in the coming academic year. 

Successful teaching experience is essential, but evidence of quality will trump evidence of quantity, and thus graduate students may consider applying.

We are looking for module leaders for first- and second-year modules as outlined below; teaching programmes are currently being written by department members, but detailed delivery is at the discretion of the module leader. 

Both modules can be approached in terms of a conversation between neo-classical and heterodox approaches. They are 30-credit modules running throughout the academic year. Precise student numbers will depend on clearing and retakes, but in each case will probably be not more than two seminar groups (that is, about 40 students). 

For more details please contact me, as detailed below. Note that these will be hourly-paid positions.

Please feel free to circulate to interested parties.


Best wishes,

Julian Wells


Dr Julian Wells

Director of Studies

Department of Economics

 

Room PR HH 0012

(Holmwood House)


staff web-page: http://fass.kingston.ac.uk/staff/cv.php?staffnum=287

personal web-site: http://staffnet.kingston.ac.uk/~ku32530

 

Principal lecturer in economics

School of Economics, History and Politics

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Kingston University

Penrhyn Road

Kingston-upon-Thames

KT1 2EE

United Kingdom

 

+44 (0)20 8417 2341

 

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Module Code: BE4001
Level: 4
Credits: 30.00
Title: The UK Business Environment
 
Module Summary (Indicative):

The module is a practical examination of key aspects of the UK economy – its structure, recent history, the role of government and some of its key policies. Structural changes in the economy and its business environment are examined; regional or transport policy is explored and its role and contribution to the economy; key government economic levers such as taxation and expenditure are illustrated; the importance, structure, and problems of the financial sector are highlighted; changing government policy on inflation, full employment and ‘managing’ the economy is explored; the nature of financial crises and their subsequent impact on the UK economy are emphasised.

 

Curriculum Content (Indicative):

• Changes in the U.K. economy. Decline of manufacture – Rise of services - Financial Sector – Growth of the State – Welfare – National Debt.

 • Introduction to Firms in the UK: Micro, Small, Medium and Large.

 • The platform for business: The external business environment - The role of the State - The systemic competitiveness model.

 • Regional /Transport policy.

 • Public expenditure – Taxation.

 • Financial institutions and markets.

 • Inflation - Unemployment - Managing the economy.

 • United Kingdom trade performance - Exchange rates.

 • The European Union - Euro - Pound sterling - The role of the UK in the EU.

 •  Financial crisis, recession and their impact on the UK economy.


Teaching and Learning Strategy (Indicative):

There will be one 2h lecture per week in which the course contents will be delivered. There will also be one seminar per week in which students will study contemporary case material on the UK economy, as well as have multiple choice questions, data response sheets and active discussion on case material.

Assessment Strategy (Indicative):

A portfolio of two pieces of written work (1000 and 1500 words) on topics drawn from the lecture and seminar programme allowing assessment of learning outcomes. The first assessment will receive 40% of the final mark. The second will receive 60%.

 Bibliography (Indicative)

Griffiths A & Wall S, 12th  edition (or latest available), Applied Economics, Prentice Hall.

Worthington I & Britton C, 2003 (or latest edition available), The Business Environment, Palgrave.

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Module Code: BE5001
Level: 5
Credits: 30.00
Title: Competition and the Firm
Module Summary (Indicative):

This module examines the nature of competition and the role of the firm in contemporary capitalism. It  examines the different forces shaping market structure so as to elucidate in what sense a market structure is competitive or not – for example the role of barriers to entry, government policy or technology. The module explores different market structures, from monopolistic to highly competitive, thus throwing light on the conduct and performance of firms within these structures. The role, nature and aims of the firm are examined. It also analyses how some firms are capable of imposing themselves on market structure and are not simply passive recipients. Different categories of firms, multinational, large, medium, small and micro, are outlined so as to build a more complete picture of modern firm structure. 

 
 
Curriculum Content (Indicative):
  • Neo-classical descriptions of market structures; Structure – Conduct – Performance model; Porter’s 5- forces approach.
  • Factors affecting structure of markets: barriers to entry and exit; market concentration; privatisation and competition policy; the role of regulation.
  • The role of the state in the modern economy.
  • What can the Global Financial Crisis teach us about competition and regulation?
  • The nature of the modern firm; why firms exist;  the market context for the functioning of firms.
  • The aims of the firm; analysis of firms by ratio and non-ratio techniques.
  • The role of large firms and multinationals; the importance of small and medium size firms - the UK, European and international context. 
  • What can the Global Financial Crisis teach us about firms?
  • Examination of key web-sites so as to enhance the employability of students.
 
Teaching and Learning Strategy (Indicative):

Students will attend lectures and tutorials. A pack of lecture slides are provided via StudySpace but active note taking is required. Lectures are one hour, once weekly for 22 weeks. Tutorials, also one hour, once weekly for 22 weeks, run parallel to the lecture series and will offer case studies on the modern firm and markets. An active participatory style is encouraged. Substantial independent study is required to deepen knowledge of the lecture and seminar  topics as well as engage in wider reading and prepare for assessment.


Bibliography (Indicative)  
Lipczynski, J.,Wilson, J. and Goddard, J.  2005. Industrial Organisation. UK:Pearson Education Ltd.

Davies, H. and Pun-Lee, Lam. 2001. Managerial Economics, UK:Pearson Education Ltd.

 Griffiths, A. and Wall, S. 2012. Applied Economics. UK:Pearson Education Ltd.
 

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