EC2003 - Microeconomic Policy

Credit points:	03
Year:	2005
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:

EC2003 is one of the two intermediate microeconomics subjects offered at JCU; the other one being EC2002. Microeconomics is the branch of economics that focuses on issues pertinent to individual economic units, e.g., consumers and firms. Both intermediate microeconomic subjects extend and develop the materials used in the first year, introduce new materials, and explore new applications of microeconomic theory. EC2002 and EC2003 are complementary, but need not be taken sequentially. Students who have completed EC1005 can enrol in either, or both, in any order. EC2003 focuses on the way in which government policy influences consumer and business behaviour and the implications on economic and social welfare. Recent microeconomic policy reforms in Australia will be examined and therefore topics may be changed from year to year to ensure the on-going relevance.

Learning Outcomes

• Students completing this subject will have an increased understanding of microeconomic concepts, models and analysis and how these are used in government policy. More specifically, they will be able to: ﾷ Use a range of different models to explain and/or describe behaviours of consumers and firms; ﾷ Understand some of the key assumptions, problems, strengths and limitations of the relevant models; ﾷ Construct, manipulate and explain a range of simple diagrams associated with the relevant models; ﾷ Use the models to analyse policy changes, making predictions about the possible impact of the changes on different economic actors of the economy, and on social and economic welfare; ﾷ Apply the knowledge gained from this subject to real world situations..

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• The ability to select and use appropriate IT tools;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• The ability to use and interpret different media;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Prerequisites:

EC1005

Availabilities
, , Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2005
Coordinator:	Professor Zhang-Yue Zhou
Lecturers:	Natalie Stoeckl, Professor Zhang-Yue Zhou.
Contact hours:	26 hours 12 hours 12 hours
Assessment:	(50%); (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.