Course's objectives and competences to be developed:
- To analytically contextualise the perspective of economic theory's mainstream
- To analyse the basic functioning of markets
- To understand the mechanisms of macro-economic activity.
- To connect aggregated variables and understand the fundamentals of macro-economic policies
- To understand the functioning of the financial system
- To know the processes of intensification of commerce and integration of economies at a global scale
- To discuss the options of growth and development that contemporary societies have in the current recession scenario
Other Competences:
- Development of an analytical spirit regarding studied concepts and theories
- Development of reading habits
- Overview on transversal issues
- Ability to relate the different studied subjects
- Group discussion

1. Introduction (notion of economy and its object, economy methodology, fundamental economic issues, economic activity coordination mechanisms and lines of economic thought)
2. Microeconomic Analysis (supply and demand analysis, consumer theory, production theory and market functioning)
3. Fundamental Concepts of Macroeconomics (goals and instruments of macroeconomic policies, aggregated supply and demand, measurement and fluctuations of economic activity and State intervention)
4. Financial Markets and Currency (the financial system, supply and demand of currency, stock market and current financial crisis)
5. International Trade and International Economic Organisations (international trade, exchange rates, international economic organisations, European Union and Single Currency)
6. Growth and Development (growth and development, theories of economic growth and economic inequality)

Lipsey, Richard (2003)- An Introduction to Positive Economics, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Louçã, Francisco; Caldas, J. Castro (2010), Economia(s), Porto: Afrontamento.
Samuelson, P. A. ; Nordhaus, W.D. (2005) - Economia, Lisboa, McGraw-Hill, 18ª edição (Manual Principal)
Sloman, John (1994) - Economics, New York, Harvester Wheatsheaf, 2ª edição.
Stiglitz, Joseph (2002) – Globalização: a Grande Desilusão, Lisboa, Terramar.
Taylor, John (2001) – Economics, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001, 3ª edição.