Seminar in Economics and Commerce A

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Students must have permission from the subject coordinator AND must have completed the following subject:

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/

Classical Political Economy and Economic Liberalism

The focus of the subject will be on Classical Political Economy and the inter-play of political and economic ideas. The central figures of this school, Adam Smith, Thomas Robert Malthus, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx, are studied with the purpose of uncovering these ideas and assessing their relevance for the modern world. Particular emphasis is placed on relating the methods, concepts, and conclusions of the classical economists to those of modern mainstream economic theory and contemporary views on the role of the State in economic affairs. Students will be expected to read original works as well as secondary literature.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• read and understand the primary sources referred to in the subject
• critically evaluate the ideas of the writers referred to in the subject
• see that economic ideas and social philosophy are inter-related
• see contemporary economic and political ideas in historical perspective

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50%) and assignments, essay and seminar presentations totalling not more than 5000 words (50%).

G. Buchholz and Martin Feldstein, New Ideas From Dead Economists, Penguin/Plume, 2nd ed 2007 OR Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers, Touchstone, 1999.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• High level of development: oral communication; written communication; problem solving; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; evaluation of data and other information; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Moderate level of development: collaborative learning; team work.

• Some level of development: statistical reasoning; application of theory to practice; sysnthesis of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.

This subject is available to high achieving students who have completed no more than one semester of study at the University of Melbourne and a total of no more than 50 level-1 points. Selection is based on the grade average achieved across these 50 points of study at the University of Melbourne. Students who achieve an H1 average in these 50 points will be guaranteed a place. Students need to apply on line. Please note strict deadlines apply; contact the Faculty for further information.