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

Economic knowledge will not be very useful if we cannot use it. This unit gives students opportunities to develop their affinity to apply the economic way of thinking to the analysis and understanding of social and public issues.

Aims

This unit is based on the fundemental economic concepts learned in introductory level economics courses, and is designed to forensically explore current social and public issues of interest. These issues relate to consumer choice, business pricing strategies, education, inequality, unemployment and poverty, population policy, tax reform, economic growth, the environment and globalisation.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Select relevant economic concepts and theories to analyse real world events at the personal, business and social levels
2. make informed personal and business decisions; and
3. critically evaluate social and public policies

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

The unit will utilise such basic economic concepts as opportunity costs, marginality, price mechanism, property right, externalities, comparative advantage, transaction cost and information asymmetry to critically analyse and evaluate selected current social and public issues.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

There will be 12 weekly 3-hour face-to-face sessions in this unit. During each of these sessions, cases will be used to refresh economic concepts and to model their applications. Wherever necessary, new concepts may be introduced. The success of this unit is heavily dependent upon students' participation. Students will be given cases to analyse and contribute to discussions and debates in seminars. They will also have opportunities to collect data to explore social or political issues of their choice.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Description: There will be 8-10 cases, which students analyse with appropriate economic concepts. Each case carries !0%. While students are encouraged to submit all cases, only the best four will be counted towards their grade in the unit.

Length/Duration: 500 word per case study
Formative/Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: all
AOL Goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), & SEU (5.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Various

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Description: Students are required to attempt 2-3 essay type questions.

Length/Duration: 2 hours + 10 minute perusal
Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: All
AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), & SEU (5.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam 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

Prescribed Text
Miller R. L., Benjamin D. K. & North D. C. (2012) "The Economics of Public Issues" (Pearson)

Other Resources
Levitt S. D. & Dubner S. J. (2005) "Freakonomics" (Penguin)
Levitt S. D. & Dubner S. J. (2010) "Super Freakonomics" (Penguin)
Harford T. (2008) "The Logic of Life" (Little, Brown & Co)

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

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: 17-Oct-2012