Positive Political Economics

Subject ECON40009 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Lectures and tutorials totalling three hours per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Admission into BH-COM or BH-ARTS (Economics) and both of the following:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
Non Allowed Subjects:
Subject
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 Eik Leong Swee

Contact

eswee@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides an overview of the field of political economics. Political economics extends the scope of standard economic analysis by assuming that individuals follow their own agenda and maximize their own utility not only in the economic, but also in the political sphere. The following broad areas will be covered: Determinants of institutional quality and its effects on economic performance; models of political competition and (re-)elections; various (so-called) political and institutional failures, including corruption and rent seeking, and delays in welfare-increasing reforms.
Learning Outcomes:

Information not available.
Assessment:
  • A 2-hour end of semester examination (60%)
  • One assignment of 3000 words due in week 6 (40%)
Prescribed Texts:

Journal articles and the textbook Persson, T., and G. Tabellini, 2000, Political Economics: Explaining Economic Policy, MIT Press
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • High level of development: written communication; problem solving; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking ; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
  • Moderate level of development: oral communication; statistical reasoning; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.
  • Some level of development: collaborative learning; team work.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Master of Economics electives

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