Overview

This unit represents the economic concepts of public choice theory, market failure and government failure will be used to analyse the conduct of a range of government policies in Australia. These policy areas include industry/agricultural policy, utilities regulation, health and welfare policy, taxation and education. In doing so the unit has three broad aims. The first is to help students to understand and appreciate the relevance of economic principles and concepts to the development of policy in Australian society. The second is to assist students to develop their ability to apply economic reasoning to real world policy issues. The third is to encourage students to contribute to the policy process and help shape a better society.

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse policy issues, making reference to relevant contemporary economic principles
  • Demonstrate analytical thinking through discussion and debate relating to the relationships between policy goals
  • Evaluate proposed policy changes to assess impact with view to identifying potential gainers and losers
  • Engage confidently and competently in debate about economic policy in society

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

OUA

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 30 - 50% 1,2,3 
AssignmentIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3 
Research EssayIndividual 20 - 30% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • The nature and goals of policy
  • Unemployment
  • Income distribution
  • Infrastructure
  • Technology and growth
  • Taxation policy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.