Course Outline

BUS202 Applied Macroeconomics

Course Coordinator:Robert Alexander (ralexand@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Macroeconomics offers you the possibility to understand important questions about how the world works, such as: Why are some countries rich and others poor? What are the causes of economic and financial crises? How can policies to address economic problems such as unemployment and inflation be assessed? This course builds a systematic way of thinking about questions like these, grounded in a synthesis of the most up-to-date theories in the discipline, to give you the confidence to increase your understanding and develop the skills to continue learning.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning material. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning material. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled face to face workshops (recorded). 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

Macroeconomic issues and data

The neo-classical growth model and endogenous growth theory

Keynesian economics: the multiplier effect, the IS/LM model and the Phillips Curve

Fiscal Policy: the budget, debt, political constraints

The current New Classical/New Keynesian consensus and the IS-PC-MR model 

Monetary policy: inflation targeting, financial sector oversight

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Competencies from multiple Professional Bodies (see below) *
1 Know where to source reliable data related to macroeconomic issues; select data appropriate to the issue; present and interpret data clearly. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
PC1.1, PC1.3, PC3, PC6
2 Apply the core models at the centre of the current consensus of thinking in macroeconomics to analyse economic events as well as policy responses to these events. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
PC1.1, PC3, PC6, 10.1.2, 10.3.3
3 Apply various macroeconomic models designed to analyse short-run business cycle issues and long-run economic growth Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
PC1.1, PC3.1, PC6.2, 8.1.3, 8.2.1

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC1.3 Digital Literacy
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC3.1 Problem Solving
PC6 Career-ready
PC6.2 Discipline Knowledge
Education for Sustainable Development Goals
8.1.3 The learner understands the relation between employment and economic growth, and knows about other moderating factors like a growing labour force or new technologies that substitute jobs.
8.2.1 The learner is able to discuss economic models and future visions of economy and society critically and to communicate them in public spheres.
10.1.2 The learner knows indicators that measure and describe inequalities and understands their relevance for decision-making.
10.3.3 The learner is able to identify and analyse different types of causes and reasons for inequalities.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

BUS102

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

From week 1 onwards, oral (in workshop) and written (via solutions posted on Canvas) feedback on workshop exercises will be provided.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 25%
250-300 words (excluding graphs)
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Report Individual 35%
1000-1500 words
Week 11 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Written Piece Individual 40%
1500 words
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Presentation of data
Goal:
To accurately present and interpret reliably sourced macroeconomic data.
Product: Report
Format:
Work must be completed individually.
Summary of key macroeconomic data for a chosen country or countries in graphical and written form.
Further details are provided in the assessment area in Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Appropriate choice and citation of data
1
2
Appropriate graphical representation of data.
1
3
Effective written interpretation of graphical information.
1
All - Assessment Task 2:Policy analysis
Goal:
To apply knowledge of economic theory and evidence to a macroeconomic policy issue.
Product: Report
Format:
Work must be completed individually. Relevant theory should be coherently explained and evidence presented and applied to a macroeconomic policy issue. Statistical information (graphs/tables) may form a useful part of the essay and do not contribute to the word count. Further details are provided in the assessment area on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of appropriate macroeconomic theory and evidence.
2
2
Effective written communication skills, including soundness of arguments, correctness of reasoning, and clarity of expression.
2
3
Appropriate use of Harvard citation style where necessary
2
All - Assessment Task 3:Problem set
Goal:
To apply knowledge of economic theory and concepts to economic problems demonstrating ability to structure sound economic reasoning.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
Problem set.
This assessment task will be made up of short answer questions and may cover all parts of the course. 
Further details are provided in the assessment area on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Effective application of appropriate macroeconomic theory
3
2
Correctness of analysis and accuracy of solutions
3
3
Clarity of expression
3

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
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  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au