Units
Economics 2
Unit code: QCF221
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit introduces students to the study of macroeconomics. Topics include the five-sector model, the trade cycle, inflation and unemployment, government policy, and the external sector.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 13TP1 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP2 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP3 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit is designed to develop the critical thinking and analytical skills that international students will need in a university environment through a study of economics. In this unit, students will be required to recall basic economic concepts, interpret economic data and respond to economic problems.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to enable students to demonstrate proficiency in the critical thinking and analytical skills that are required to interpret and solve economic problems. In addition, the unit is designed to develop knowledge of the theories/terms of economics.
Objectives
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the economic problems that are faced by all economic systems .(FGC 2)
- Solve and interpret simple economic calculations .(FGC 3)
- Analyse and discuss, at a basic level, current economic problems and issues .(FGC 4)
- Work independently and collaboratively to research economic problems and issues .(FGC 5)
- Demand and Supply
Week 2 - Introduction to Macroeconomics - GDP, Circular flow of income
Week 3 - National Income and Expenditure - GDP cont. Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply, business cycle
Week 4 - National Income cont. - Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply cont.
Week 5 - The Labour Force - Unemployment rate, participation rate, types of unemployment
Week 6 - Mid-semester test
- Inflation - CPI, inflation rate
Week 7 - Inflation cont.
- Assignment Preparation
Week 8 - Monetary ploicy
Week 9 - Fiscal Policy
Week 10 - Share market
Week 11 - International Trade
Week 12 - Balance of Payment
Week 13 - Revision
Week 14 - Final Exam
- Fraser, I., Gionea, J., and Fraser, S. (2011). Economics for Business. North Ryde, NSW: McGraw-Hill.
Key: Foundation Graduate Capabilities
FGC 1: Effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes
FGC 2: Knowledge pertinent to a range of subject areas
FGC 3: Skills appropriate to a range of subject areas at the level of entry to the degree
FGC 4: Critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving for academic and real world contexts
FGC 5: The ability to work independently and collaboratively
FGC 6: Social and ethical responsibility
Content
Weekly Topics
Week 1
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit has four contact hours per week. A variety of stimulus materials will be utilised including the set text, newspaper and journal articles, online learning and audiovisual.
Late Assignment Policy
Students will be penalised for late submission of assignments. Refer to the Foundation Course Guide for details.
Review of Grades or Academic Rulings
For rules on how to apply for a review of grade, refer to the Foundation Course Guide.
Consultation
The teacher will be available for consultation from Week 2. Times will be advised in class and will also be displayed in a schedule at Reception.
Exam Timetable
The exam timetable will be displayed on the Noticeboard on Level 4 by Week 11 of the semester.
Assessment
Types of Assessment
In this unit students will be assessed through formative and summative assessment.
Formative assessment items are used to provide feedback to students to assist with their progress and do not count towards final marks. This assessment could be done in class or handed in for correction and feedback. Refer to the Week 1 Document for information on formative assessment.
Summative items count towards the final grade for this subject. There are three summative assessment items.
This unit may require students to submit their assessment items through SafeAssign.
Please refer to the Week 1 document for this unit.
Assessment name:
Mid-semester Exam
Description:
Summative.
Multiple choice, calculations and short answer questions
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 and 3
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Research Project
Description:
Summative and Formative.
Macroeconomics Project
Due Dates:
Week 9 - Research essay (20%)
Week 11 - Oral presentation (20%)
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 9 and Week 11
Assessment name:
Final Exam
Description:
Summative
Multiple choice, Calculations, Short answer and Essay questions
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3 & 4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 14
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
Texts
Please refer to the Blackboard Site for further readings and links.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks 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: 14-Mar-2013
