ECON 7222 - Economics for Public Policy

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

Participants are introduced to the economic way of thinking through the introduction to a series of key ideas and concepts of economics. Their application is then illustrated by reference to current public policy issues. The course adopts an international perspective, and discusses the ways in which the world economy both constrains and provides opportunities for national policy makers. Also discussed is the economics view of the policymaking process, the role and influence of interest groups and the manner in which conflicts are resolved by governments.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 7222
    Course Economics for Public Policy
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ECON 7200, ECON 7224. Introductory macroeconomics and microeconomics.
    Restrictions Available to MHlthEco&Pol students only
    Assessment Typically, assignments, case study analyses, group or individual projects & exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Raul Barreto

    Dr Raul Barreto
    raul.barreto@adelaide.edu.au

    Office location: Nexus 10, Level 4, Room 4.26
    Telephone: 8313 3240
    Consultation times: TBA
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    This course aims to develop students’ understanding of the keys principles of macroeconomics and microeconomics in order to make effective business decisions. The course provides a theoretical framework to analyse the markets, government policies, firm’s behaviour and macroeconomic policies.

    On the successful completion of the course students will be able to:
    1 Explain how scarce resources are allocated in a market system
    2 Recognise various forms of market failure and explain how governments might need to intervene
    3 Recognise the constraints on government intervention and explain why government policy might fail
    4 Relate basic economic theory and principles to current economic issues and evaluate related public policy
    5 Use economic models to analyse a situation in terms of economics
    6 Interpret charts, graphs, and tables and use the information to make informed judgments
    7 Work and learn independently and with others
    8 Communicate their knowledge and understanding of economic issues using written, verbal and visual expression
    9 Evaluate outcomes based on the costs and benefits involved
    10 Understand the broader social consequences of economic decisions making
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-4
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5,9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 7-8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 8
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 5-10
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Garnett, A.M., Lewis, P., Hubbard, R.G. and O’Brien, A.P. (2012) Essentials of Economics, 2nd Edition, Pearson, Sydney.

    Nb. The 1st edition of the textbook may suffice for diligent students, but be warned that the content may not line up exactly with what is assigned in the course from the 2nd edition textbook.
    Recommended Resources
    McTaggart, D., Findlay, C. and Parkin, M. (2010), Economics 6th edition, Pearson, Sydney.

    McGraw-Hill, Sydney. Sloman, J. and Norris, K. (2008) Principles of Economics, 2nd edition, Pearson, Sydney
    Online Learning
    The course makes extensive use of MyUni for the posting of lecture notes, lecture recordings, tutorial exercises, assignments, and important announcements. It is expected that all students will regularly check the MyUni course website, and regularly check their university email accounts.

    https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/its/webmail/


    Lecture recorders are typically made available online. There may be occasions when the recording fails for technical reasons.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The various sources of information available in this course are meant to complement one another. The lectures refer to topics covered by the text. The lectures provide either an insight into what the text will try to convey or reinforce the concepts that you have already read. Again, one complements the other. The tutorials address the material covered in lectures more practically, through problem solving. In addition to a weekly assessment, students are encouraged to engage in discussion in tutorials.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This translates to 12 hours per week for a semester course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    LEARNING ACTIVITIES WEEK BY WEEK (INDICATIVE)
    Week Topic Reading and tutorials
    1 Introduction, The economic problem Hubbard Ch 1 & 2
    2 Demand and supply Hubbard Ch 3
    3 Elasticity / Applications of Demand & Supply Hubbard Ch 4
    4 Firms, production and costs Hubbard Ch 6
    5 Perfect competition and monopoly Hubbard Ch 7 & 8
    6 Monopolistic Competition Hubbard Ch 9
    Mid-semester break
    Mid-semester break
    7 The Role of government Hubbard Ch 11
    8 Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply Hubbard Ch 14
    9 Labour and Unemployment Hubbard Ch 13
    10 Money and lnflation Hubbard Ch 13 & 15
    11 Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy Hubbard Ch 16 17
    12 The Exchange Rate and International Trade Hubbard Ch 18 19
    13 Optional Teaching Week To be used as required
    14 Swot Vac
    15 First Examinations week

    16 Second Examinations week

    Small Group Discovery Experience
    An integral part of this course is the group assignment. Students will be asked to form themselves in groups of between 1 and 5 students. Each group will be presented with a current event or relevant social issue. Groups will be faced with a series of questions which are to be discussed and ultimately analyzed using the various tools studied in class. The purpose of the exercise is to discover the uses of and necessary limits of the economists' toolkit as well as give students the forum to practically apply economic theory. Although, group work is encouraged, students are allowed the option to complete the assignment as an individual.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    The grading scheme is as follows:

    Type Weight
    Weekly Tutorial Assignment (best 8 out of 11)  20%
    Group Assignment 20%
    Weekly Online Learning (best 10 out of 12) 10%
    Final Exam 50%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Group Assignment
    A 1500 word group assignment will be due prior to the mid-semester break. Groups may be comprised of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 people. Assignment details can be found on MyUni.
    Assessment Detail
    Weekly tutorial assignments 20%
    Students will be asked to submit written answers to the indicated questions on the weekly tutorial exercises, which will be available to download from MyUni on a weekly basis. Only the best 8 weekly tutorial assignments will contribute to the grade for this component of assessment, which in total will be 20% of assessment. Instructions on the submission and return of these weekly assignments will be provided on MyUni.

    Weekly Online Learning 10%
    Students are expected to participate in an online learning activity each week by answering quiz questions online. If you complete a quiz within the weekly time period, you will get 1 point. There will be 12 online learning weeks (starting in week 2), so if you complete 10 weeks you will get 10/10%. Completing all 12 weeks is recommended for your learning but is not required for this portion of your mark.
    Further details on the quizzes will be provided on MyUni.

    Group assignment 20%
    Students are asked to form in groups of between one and five. Each group is given a news article and asked a series of questions relating the news event to its impact on the economy.

    Final exam 50%
    The final exam will be a 3-hour exam, plus 10 minutes reading time. This exam may assess all topics covered in the course. Details regarding the structure will be posted on MyUni. A past semester's exam is available on MyUni. Please note that this is a closed book exam. Dictionaries of any type will not be allowed in the exam. Calculators will be allowed in the exam, but calculators that can store text, are programmable, or have wireless functions will not be permitted. This means graphics calculators are not permitted, and some particular scientific calculators may not be permitted.
    Submission
    Refer to MyUni for detailed instructions regarding submission.
    Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
    Late submissions will not be accepted
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    Additional Assessment

    If a student receives 45-49 for their final mark for the course they will automatically be granted an additional assessment. This will most likely be in the form of a new exam (Additional Assessment) and will have the same weight as the original exam unless an alternative requirement (for example a hurdle requirement) is stated in this semester’s Course Outline. If, after replacing the original exam mark with the new exam mark, it is calculated that the student has passed the course, they will receive 50 Pass as their final result for the course (no higher) but if the calculation totals less than 50, their grade will be Fail and the higher of the original mark or the mark following the Additional Assessment will be recorded as the final result.
  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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