PLT3910 - Australian Political Economy

Leader: Dennis Woodward

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

At the conclusion of the unit students will be able to understand past policies which have shaped Australia's economic development; to understand the relationship between Australian politics, the Australian economy and the global economy; to understand the nature and impact of economic reforms/restructuring by the Federal ALP government since 1983 and by the Howard government since 1996; to present an argument in a fluent, coherent and persuasive manner; to critically evaluate topical debates about Australia's current economic policies; and to find, evaluate and effectively use empirical data in support of an argument in regard to central issues in Australian political economy.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able:

1. To foster an understanding of past policies which shaped Australia's economic development.
2. To foster an understanding of the relationship between Australian politics, the Australian economy and the global economy.
3. To foster an understanding of the nature and impact of the economic reforms/restructuring by the Federal ALP governments since 1983 and by the Howard governments since 1996.
4. To foster an ability to present one's argument in a fluent, coherent and persuasive manner.
5. To foster an ability to critically evaluate topical debates about Australia's current economic policies.
6. To foster an ability to find, evaluate and effectively use empirical data in support of an argument in regard to central issues in Australian political economy.

Assessment

Essay (2500 words): 50%
Tutorial participation: 10%
Examination (2 hours): 40%
Third-year students will be required to undertake a question during the exam from a section devoted to issues of a more conceptual nature.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in Politics or permission.

Prohibitions

PLT2910