EFB349 Macroeconomic Policy


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFB349
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:EFB229 or EFB223
Coordinator:Jayanta Sarkar | jayanta.sarkar@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Macroeconomic policies are of great significance as they are associated with changes to the health of an economy – that is, changes in short run economic fluctuations, economic growth, income distribution, employment, inflation, exchange rate, etc. This unit provides an in-depth understanding of these policies in a national as well as global context through a blend of theory and application. The unit also addresses some recent issues and debates in macroeconomic policymaking, such as the limitations of conventional fiscal and monetary policies and policy dilemmas in relation to growth and development.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of fundamental macroeconomic theories and ideas to analyse macroeconomic problems and policies using data. [KS 1.1, 1.2]
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate the nature, effects, and limitations of fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policies and make policy recommendations. [HO 2.1, 2.2]
  3. Critically analyse the challenges of growth and development policy-making in a rapidly changing world and reflect on various policy issues. [HO 2.1, SE 5.1]
  4. Apply written communication skills to present policy recommendations. [PC 3.1]

Content

This unit builds on and applies the theories in EFB229 Macroeconomics and investigates macroeconomic policies that impact on national and global economies, including but not limited to monetary, fiscal, trade, exchange rate, and technology-driven growth policies. Topics include:

  • Short-run economic stabilisation – fiscal policies 
  • Short-run economic stabilisation – monetary policies 
  • Trade and exchange rate policies 
  • Contemporary monetary policy issues 
  • Fiscal and monetary policy issues in Australia 
  • Labour market policies and dilemmas 
  • Policies on economic growth and technological progress 
  • Income/wealth inequality and redistributive policies 

 

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

During the course of the semester, the students will dissect various macroeconomic policy issues and their limitations through the use of theory and data. The unit will help the students develop a critical understanding of the nuances of different policies.

The content of this unit is delivered via a lecture (two hours per week), a tutorial program (one hour per week), and the prescribed textbook. Resources such as additional study material, weekly assignments and the solutions to the assignments are provided on the unit's Canvas site. Students will need their student number and password to access the Canvas site. Students are required to check the Canvas site regularly for new announcements and materials.  

Students are expected to study the relevant material (textbook and other supplementary materials), complete the assignment provided before attending the lecture/workshop/tutorial, so that effective use can be made of the time allocated to solve difficulties and discuss further issues. It is not the purpose of the tutorial to work through each question from scratch, but rather to resolve any problems or difficulties that arise from the week's work. 

The assignments form an important part of the work in this unit and are a good indicator of possible examination questions. Historically, students who do not keep up with weekly lecture and tutorial work have a low pass rate.  

In accordance with QUT policy, all units are to be subject to Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA). The Unit Coordinator will provide students with further details regarding CRA during the course of the semester during class and on the unit's Canvas site. 

Feedback on Learning and 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 whole class 

Assessment

Overview

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the unit learning outcomes and course assurance of learning goals. The assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

  • receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
  • demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Policy Report

Taking on the role of policy advisers, you will propose policy solutions to a real-world macroeconomic problem, apply theory and gather empirical evidence to analyse relevant issues and the proposed policy solutions. You will also undertake economic evaluation of the proposed policies to make recommendations to policy makers. 

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

 

Weight: 40
Length: 1200 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: End of Semester Exam

Compulsory, comprehensive, closed book, final examination.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2)

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

No additional requirements.

Costs

No additional costs.

Resources

The resources for this unit include prescribed texts and additional resources added to the Canvas site.

Resource Materials

Reference book(s)

The Economy (open access digital text), CORE

Other

Other resources will be provided on Canvas

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.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Policy Report, End of Semester Exam

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Policy Report

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Policy Report, End of Semester Exam

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO4, Policy Report

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO3

TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability

Relates to: Policy Report

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, End of Semester Exam
  2. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, End of Semester Exam
  3. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4
  5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3

BS06 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Policy Report, End of Semester Exam
  2. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Policy Report, End of Semester Exam
  3. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Policy Report
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Policy Report
  5. Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
    Relates to: Policy Report
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3