Advanced Policy Analysis

This subject is not offered in 2015.

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours per semester

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines the application of advanced microeconomics to Australian policy analysis and debates, including (inter alia) prices regulation and control, carbon/environmental pricing/policy, business and product taxation, housing, trade practices and industry regulation, the economic analysis of legal disputes and their resolution, the economics of technological change, and economics of the environment and trade policy.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Evaluate economic policy, its selection and effects, related to firms and industries;
• Identify and classify patterns in business behaviour and economic policy;
• Apply economic theory to relevant social questions;
• Develop existing economic theory and critically evaluate alternative microeconomic policy proposals.

• One in-class test conducted in the first half of semester (10%);
• One in-class test conducted in the second half of semester (10%);
• 2000 word assignment due in week 11 (20%); and
• Two-hour final examination (60%).

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• High level of development: written communication; problem solving; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
• Moderate level of development: oral communication; collaborative learning; team work; statistical reasoning; use of computer software.