Australian Economic History

This subject is not offered in 2016.

Both of:

None

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

None

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

This subject provides an historical overview of the development of the Australian economy. A major theme of the subject is to understand the role of factors such as geography, political and legal institutions, international influences such as immigration and foreign investment, and economic policy, in the development of the Australian economy. The subject will emphasise how an understanding of the economic history of Australia can be used to analyse current developments in the Australian and international economies. The evolution of the Australian economy and of material well-being, and the role of major episodes such as agricultural development, gold rushes and mining booms, world wars, and major economic fluctuations, are examined.

• Explain the main phases in the economic development of Australia.
• Explain the role of factors such as geography, political and legal institutions, international events and influences, immigration and foreign investment, and economic policy, in the development of the Australian economy.
• Apply economic theory and available data to evaluate alternative explanations for, and to explain major historical events in Australia (for example, major financial crises, and macroeconomic fluctuations).
• Use knowledge of the history of the development of the Australian economy to inform analysis of current developments in microeconomics and macroeconomics in Australia.
• Compare and contrast the Australian experience of economic development with selected experience in other international regions of recent settlement.

One 2-hour end-of-semester exam (40%) and written work totalling 4000 words (60%).

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

• 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; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

• Moderate level of development: oral communication; collaborative learning; problem solving; team work; statistical reasoning.

• Some level of development: use of computer software.