Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

You will build upon the wide-ranging introduction to macro and micro economics that you have previously received to focus on specific aspects of economic theory that relate to real estate. This unit concentrates on urban land issues and the economic mechanisms which effect supply and demand and as a consequence, price.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to take your fundamental knowledge of economic theory developed in earlier units and to apply that knowledge to the specific area of urban development. Whilst developing your awareness of those economic imperatives which drive and shape urban form (the physical and economic aspects of urbanisation), this unit examines the social and political contexts in which urban development and function occurs.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit you should be able to:

Relates to learning outcomes:
1.Critically explain how economics theory operates within economies that are organised as urban areas, including the study of both positive and negative aspects of cities
2.Communicate applied urban economic theory, both orally and in written forms
3.Demonstrate data collection and analysis techniques to evaluate information from a variety of sources and utilise this to think analytically and creatively solve problems,
4.Work as an interdisciplinary team member, or leader, to collaboratively manage and prioritise team activities.

Content

The content of this unit will include aspects of:

• Urbanisation and its evolution in an Australian context


• Urban growth theories


• Competing land use


• Supply and demand in the pricing of land


• The concept of the 'Bid Rent Curve'


• Business location theory


• Planning and government control on free market pricing


• Infrastructure planning and urban finance


• Quality of Urban Environmental


• Housing policies

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode: 3 hours per week:

Lecture and tutorial: 3
This unit will involve lectures, including guest lecturers as appropriate, in addition to embedded tutorials. You will be expected to participate in the learning process through discussion and directed and self-directed enquiry. Field trips may be conducted, and, along with case studies, will form an integral part of the learning process and be used to reinforce theoretical concepts derived from lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

QUT's Assessment Policy is located at MOPP C/5.1.

This unit will comprise a combination of both formative and summative approaches to assessment involving a mix of formats and a combination of group and individual work.Formative assessment in the form of feedback to you will be provided during discussions, which may incorporate debates and quizzes during lectures, and immediately following submission and grading of the summative assessment.

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will produce a written report on the impact of urbanisation.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: Team Based Presentation based on a selected urban economics issue provided by the unit lecturer.

Due Date: During semester (after Week 9 - scheduled presentation will be announced on the blackboard)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: After Week 9

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Closed book examination - End semester (final) examination
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Students will need to have a Financial Calculator: Recommended is the Sharp EL735 Financial calculator, or the Casio FC-100 or equivalent. Other than the calculator, all electronic resources can be accessed through QUT's computer labs. No personal computer hardware or software is required, however access to Microsoft Excel and the Internet for private study may be an advantage.

You will have available to you a variety of on-line resources including lecture notes and related materials, on the University's Blackboard resources site for the subject unit. All notices to you and other required reading will also be posted on this site.

Required Texts:
None

Recommended Texts :
There is no set, required text for this unit, however it is recommended that students have ready access to the following texts:
1. Harvey J & Jowsey E (2004) 6th Ed, Urban Land Economics, Palgrave Macmillan, UK
2. McDonald J F, McMillen D P, (2011) Urban Economics and Real Estate - Theory & Policy (2nd Ed) Wiley USA
3. Layton, A., Robinson, T. and Tucker, I.B. (2009). Economics for Today, 3rd Ed. Thompson, Southbank, Vic.
4. QUT cite|write - a set of resources to assist the development of citing, referencing and academic writing skills. The resource consists of two booklets and a number of print-on-demand style guides and writing guides, located on website

Other Resources :
Other texts and references will be advised and recommended, where appropriate, on the Additional Information Unit Outline provided in Week 1, and during the lectures.

Risk assessment statement

The unit is essentially classroom based and there are no extraordinary risk management issues. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes.

However field trips may be conducted and you will need to be in possession of your own, current Workplace Health and safety Induction Certificate. If undertaken, you will be fully briefed on appropriate risk management implications immediately prior to these trips taking place. A risk assessment for field trips has identified several low impact risks including travel, slips and trips, animal bites, and animal and plant stings. You will be provided with safety guidelines prior to each trip. In addition, we provide a health and safety manual detailing health, safety and emergency procedures for you to read and put into practice. We therefore require you to understand and obey all safety guidelines. Daily reminders are given at the beginning of each field day if undertaken. A diary is kept with regard to all safety reminders and issues. A qualified first aid officer accompanies each trip in accord with University guidelines.

Health & Safety Inductions

Students are required to complete the following Induction / Certificates:
1.General Safety Induction
2.General Safety Induction (Construction Industry) Card - WHITE CARD (this will facilitate Students attending external construction worksites)

Additional Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 28-May-2012