Introduction to Macroeconomics

Dozent/in	Prof. Dr. Manuel Oechslin
Veranstaltungsart	Vorlesung
Code	FS261100
Semester	Frühjahrssemester 2026
Durchführender Fachbereich	Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Studienstufe	Master
Termin/e	Di, 17.02.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 24.02.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 03.03.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 10.03.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 17.03.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 24.03.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 31.03.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 14.04.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 21.04.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 28.04.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 05.05.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 12.05.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 19.05.2026, 08:15 - 10:00 Uhr, HS 4 Di, 26.05.2026, 08:15 - 09:15 Uhr, HS 4 (Prüfung)
Umfang	2 Semesterwochenstunden
Turnus	weekly
Inhalt	This introductory course is designed for students who are not pursuing a BA/MA degree in economics. It explores a range of critical macroeconomic questions, including: Why do economies sometimes experience recessions, characterized by declining output and rising unemployment? What factors contribute to persistently high unemployment rates in some countries, while others consistently maintain full employment? Inflation recently made a forceful return—why did this happen? Moreover, what role can economic policy play in combating negative output growth, unemployment, and inflation? To systematically address these questions (and many others), Introduction to Macroeconomics will develop a coherent and highly tractable theoretical framework through a step-by-step approach. This framework, known as the IS-LM-PC model, will also be applied to a number of real-world scenarios, among them the recent pandemic. Additionally, the course includes three integrated problem-solving sessions to reinforce learning.
Sprache	Englisch
Anmeldung	Binding registration takes place via the UniPortal; see notes below in the «Proof of Performance» field. For course information and materials, registration on the OLAT e-learning platform is required from 2 – 27 February 2026. The students themselves are responsible for verifying the course’s creditability towards their degree program. Direct link to the OLAT course: to follow
Leistungsnachweis	***IMPORTANT*** In order to acquire credits, and/or take the examination, registration via the Uni Portal within the regular examination registration period (2 – 16 April 2026) is MANDATORY. Further information on registration: www.unilu.ch/wf/pruefungen
Abschlussform / Credits	Written exam / 3 Credits
Hinweise	The handout «Introduction» (to be published on OLAT) provides a more detailed description of this course.
Hörer-/innen	Nein
Kontakt	manuel.oechslin@unilu.ch
Literatur	- Required materials: eight handouts and a problem set (published on OLAT). - The course is based on the textbook Macroeconomics by Olivier Blanchard (7th edition)