EC2000 - Macroeconomic Policy

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	Discipline of Economics

EC2000 focuses on Short to Medium term issues pertinent to Macroeconomics.(Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that focuses on issues pertinent to entire economies; issues like inflation, unemployment, interest rates, exchange rates, economic growth, monetary and fiscal policy.) It extends and develops material introduced in the first year, introduces new material and explores the micro foundations of some macroeconomic theories. EC2000 primarily investigates details associated with aggregate demand. Topics covered in this subject include: money demand, money supply, interest rate and exchange rate determination, trade, the balance of payments, consumption, investment and government spending; fiscal policy, monetary policy, IS/LM/BP and AD/AS.

Learning Outcomes

• Students completing this subject will have an increased understanding of macroeconomic data, concepts, models and analysis. More specifically, they will be able to:;
• Understand a range of different models that seek to explain and/or describe key macroeconomic relationships in the short to medium-run, with a particular emphasis on factors affecting the demand-side of the economy;
• Understand some of the key assumptions, problems, strengths and limitations of the relevant models;
• Construct, manipulate and explain a range of simple diagrams associated with the relevant models;
• Use the models to analyse real and hypothetical 'shocks' and/or policy changes, making predictions about the possible impact of the changes on different parts of the economy, and derive solutions to problems posed in these circumstances.

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 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;
• 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 learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Prerequisites:

EC1005

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	jc155016.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 24 hours tutorials - Tutorials/Seminars
Assessment:	end of semester exam (45%); other exams (25%); presentations (5%); essays (25%).

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.