Macroeconomic Techniques

Subject 316-671 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Three hours of classes per week plus three hours of seminars during the semester (Semester 2).
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: 316-612 Macroeconomics
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, 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 Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Lawrence Uren
Subject Overview: Introduction to recent developments in macroeconomics. Students will learn how to formulate and solve stochastic dynamic economic models and to apply these techniques to a number of substantive issues in consumption, asset pricing, business cycle theory, monetary economics and labour economics.
Objectives: On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • Identify well posed economic questions;
  • Formulate dynamic macroeconomic models that could provide answers to well posed questions;
  • Apply existing empirical work to parameterize and calibrate such models and understand some methods of estimation;
  • Evaluate critically the performance of such models;
  • Develop an understanding of representative agent models and/or heterogeneous agent models;
  • Evaluate recent contributions to macroeconomics;
  • Analyse the interplay of questions, theory, and data.
Assessment: A 1.5-hour mid-semester examination (20%), a 3-hour final examination (50%) and class assignments of up to 6000 words (30%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

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

  • Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence;
  • Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence;
  • Strategic thinking;
  • Critical thinking;
  • Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making;
  • Accessing economic and other information;
  • Summary and interpretation of information;
  • Application of Windows software;
  • Using and designing computer programs;
  • Statistical reasoning;
  • Problem solving skills;
  • Collaborative learning and teamwork;
  • Negotiation and bargaining;
  • Written communication;
  • Oral communication.
Notes: Students may not gain credit for both 316-671 Macroeconomic Techniques and 316-406 Macroeconomic Techniques.
Related Course(s): Master of Commerce - Economics

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