EFB349 Macroeconomic Policy


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, 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.

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.

 

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
  2. Critically analyse and evaluate the nature, effects, and limitations of fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policies and make policy recommendations
  3. Critically analyse the challenges of growth and development policy-making in a rapidly changing world and reflect on various policy issues
  4. Apply written and oral communication skills to present policy recommendations

Content

  • 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 

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 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

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Critical Review

This assessment piece requires application of theory and data to write an academic critique of an article/analysis or opinion piece published in economic magazines/journals. KS (1.1), HO (2.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Length: 1000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Policy Report

Taking on the role of policy advisers, you will evaluate policies and collect data and analyse relevant issues to make recommendations to policy makers.  KS (1.1), HO (2.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1), PC (3.2),  SE (5.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Length: 1200 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 11
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: End of Semester Exam

Compulsory, closed book, final examination KS (1.1), HO (2.1)

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1

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.

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

Prescribed text(s)

The Economics of Macro Issues by Roger LeRoy Miller, and Daniel K. Benjamin (Pearson) 

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, Critical Review, Policy Report, End of Semester Exam

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Critical Review, Policy Report

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

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

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Critical Review, Policy Report

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

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, Critical Review, 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, Critical Review, 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, Critical Review
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Critical Review
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO3