Economic Analysis and Policy

Subject ECON30013 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

316-202 Intermediate Microeconomics.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests 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 Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof M. Shields

Contact

mshields@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject focuses on the application of economics to the analysis of policy issues facing governments in Australia and overseas. The subject begins with a general introduction on the application of principles of microeconomics for guiding the formulation of policy options and their interpretation. It then explores in detail specific topics drawn from health economics, microeconomic reform, income distribution, poverty or other relevant policy areas. For each specific topic the subject presents and evaluates results in the literature and analyses future policy options and their effects.
Objectives:
  • Explain the principles of microeconomics in relation to policy development.
  • Explain how these principles guide policy in product markets.
  • Analyse the main ways concern about equity is manifest in economic policy.
  • Evaluate the measurement of social welfare, inequality and poverty.
  • Describe the means of and rationale for redistribution in an economy.
  • Evaluate the structure of the tax-transfer system in the economy.
  • Identify the main characteristics of the industries of education and health services.
  • Analyse the main ways economic theory is used to explain family formation and function.
  • Critically evaluate contemporary policy debates with reference to economic principles as applied to education, health, and families.
Assessment:

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (70%), one class assignments totalling approximately 2000 words (20%), and one 10-minute presentation (10%).
Prescribed Texts: You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • High level of development: written communication; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information.

  • Moderate level of development: oral communication; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

  • Some level of development: collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; statistical reasoning; use of computer software.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Economics Major

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