Foundation • Business

Introductory Economics

Unit 05 — Elective — Term 2
UnitUnit 05
CategoryElective
Credits20
Guided Learning Hours120
Course Description

Covers core microeconomic and macroeconomic principles — supply and demand, elasticity, key macroeconomic indicators, and market structures — with real-world case comparisons.

Course Objectives

To give students a working understanding of core economic principles and their application to business decision-making.

Key Topics
  1. The law of supply and demand
  2. Market equilibrium
  3. Price elasticity of demand
  4. Inflation, unemployment and GDP
  5. Perfect competition vs monopoly
Course Outline (selected weeks, Term 2)
WeekTopic & Activity
14Supply and Demand
AC1.1 Explain the law of supply and demand. AC1.2 Illustrate market equilibrium using a simple diagram.
Workshop: Plotting Supply & Demand Curves.
16Elasticity
AC2.1 Explain the concept of elastic and inelastic demand. AC2.2 Calculate a simple elasticity ratio.
Tutorial: Elasticity in Everyday Products.
18Macroeconomic Indicators
AC3.1 Explain inflation, unemployment and GDP. AC3.2 Interpret published economic indicators for a chosen country.
Seminar: Reading a Central Bank Report.
21Market Structures
AC4.1 Compare perfect competition and monopoly. AC4.2 Identify examples of each structure in real markets.
Case Study: Comparing Airline vs Local Bakery Markets.
24Final Assessment Submission
Final submission of Units 04 and 05.
Report finalisation.
Learning Outcomes
  1. Explain the law of supply and demand and illustrate market equilibrium.
  2. Explain price elasticity of demand and calculate a simple elasticity ratio.
  3. Explain and interpret key macroeconomic indicators.
  4. Compare market structures using real-world examples.
Assessment

Assessed by coursework (no written examination) — an assignment, report or portfolio task set at the start of Term 2. A formative draft is reviewed with tutor feedback in Week 20, and the final version is submitted by the end of Week 24. Graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, with plagiarism-checked submissions (Turnitin) and a signed Learner Declaration Form.

Learning Resources
  • Brussels College Digital Library — academic English & business foundation texts
  • Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Turnitin
  • Microsoft Office 365, including Excel-based accounting templates
  • Guest lectures from local business owners
Scroll