EFN405 Applied Economics


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFN405
Credit points:12
Equivalent:EFX405
Anti-requisite:GSN203, GSN411, GSN414, GSN491, GSN492, GSZ491
Coordinators:Tommy Tang | tt.tang@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

The economic framework in this introductory unit provides students with a broad understanding of the economic forces that impact business and government, equipping them with knowledge, technical and problem solving skills that they will continue to develop and apply in later units where more complex situations and issues are explored. The unit provides an introduction to both microeconomic and macroeconomic key concepts.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply knowledge of the broad economic context in which businesses operate including knowledge of the economic forces, policies and policy directions impacting business and government
  2. Apply technical skills and use analytical tools to analyse economic conditions
  3. Apply higher order thinking skills to analyse policy decisions
  4. Apply appropriate written and oral communication skills to present ideas and thinking
  5. Work effectively in a team to apply and present knowledge of economic theories and concepts

Content

The major topics/areas covered in this unit include market forces of supply and demand, firm and industry organisation; effects of government regulation/intervention, measuring national income (GDP) and economic growth; business cycles, monetary system, inflation, and fiscal and monetary policy.


QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

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 & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.

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

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

The subject employs lectures and tutorials. Lectures revolve around the development of knowledge, including the application of concepts, models and ideas in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, and apply their insights to real-world examples and case studies. In addition, lectures include situational questions to build on applied concepts and again to focus on developing students' technical and analytical skills. Students will also be supported to develop and practice their oral presentation skills as they respond to issues arising from economic questions and case studies. Students undertaking this unit externally will be provided with full lecture recordings together with live online tutorials to attend each week via the unit Canvas site.

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 the 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);
  • 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: Mid-Semester Examination

Online exam comprising short-answer questions covering lecture material from Weeks 1 to 6.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

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

Weight: 40
Length: 120 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Presentation

One topic is to be presented by each team in the online tutorial or via recorded narrated slides between Weeks 3 and 12. This assessment includes a summative peer evaluation element. Details of topics are available on the Canvas site.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), PC (3.2), TS (4.2)

Weight: 20
Length: 10-15 minutes (including questions)
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Weeks 3 to 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 4, 5

Assessment: Take-Home Assessment

Two report style questions related to a case study given out to students at the end of week 13.

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

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.1)

Weight: 40
Length: There is no word limit. The limit is no more than one double-sided page (Line spacing 1.15, Font size 12 using Times New Roman to fit within two pages).
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): End of Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Gans, J., King, S., Stonecash, R., Byford, M., Libich, J. and Mankiw, N. (2015). Principles of Economics (6th edition), Cengage Learning. South Melbourne.

Layton, A., Robinson, T., Tucker, I. (2010). Economics for Today 3rd edition, Thomson, South Melbourne Victoria.

McTaggart, D., Findlay, C. and Parkin, M. (2013). Economics 7th Edition, Addison-Wesley, Sydney.

O’Sullivan, A., Sheffrin, S. and Perez, S. (2017). Economics: Principles, Applications and Tools, Global Edition (9th edition), Pearson, Harlow

Parkin, M., Bade, R. (2016). Macroeconomics Pearson, Melbourne.

Parkin, M., Bade, R. (2016). Microeconomics Pearson, Melbourne.

Sloman, J. Wride, A. and Garratt, D. (2015). Economics (9th edition), Pearson.

Reference book(s)

Students are encouraged to regularly read Economics and/or financial magazines such as The Economist and the Australian Financial Review throughout the duration of this unit. Frequent reference may be made to issues reported in these publications.

Additional references can also be found at the unit's Canvas site and in the written report document.

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 (Postgraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Mid-Semester Examination, Take-Home Assessment

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO3, Take-Home Assessment

KS (1.1): Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Mid-Semester Examination, Presentation, Take-Home Assessment

KS (1.2): Technical, Technological and Research Skills

Relates to: ULO2, Take-Home Assessment

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO4, Mid-Semester Examination, Take-Home Assessment

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: ULO4, Presentation

TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills

Relates to: ULO5, Presentation

Course Learning Outcomes

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

BS11 Master of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  4. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
    Relates to: ULO3
  5. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4
  6. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4
  7. Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5

BS37 Graduate Certificate in Business and Communication

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Mid-Semester Examination, Presentation, Take-Home Assessment
  2. Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2, Take-Home Assessment
  3. Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Mid-Semester Examination, Take-Home Assessment
  4. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
    Relates to: ULO3, Take-Home Assessment
  5. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4, Mid-Semester Examination, Take-Home Assessment