INVESTIGATING ECONOMIC ISSUES
BUS1BUX
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Economics is the study of incentives and human behaviour and in particular the choices that individuals, businesses and governments make to deal with scarcity. In Investigating Economic Issues you will undertake research into current economic issues and apply economic concepts and frameworks to critically analyse economic problems and suggest solutions. You will learn how the forces of demand and supply coordinate the behaviour of individuals and businesses in the market and how government policy affects market outcomes. You will study the decisions that businesses make in determining how much to produce and at what cost, and analyse how market structures affect firm choices. From an economy-wide perspective, you will investigate how to measure economic activity, inflation and unemployment, and you will examine the factors that influence these variables and their impacts on individuals, businesses and governments.
School: La Trobe Business School
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Suzanne Young
Available to Study Abroad Students: No
Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG
Exchange Students: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Student must be enrolled in one of the following courses: LBAB, LBABM, LBABK, LDAB, LAAB
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: BUS1BUE, BUS1ECW
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Business Economics for La Trobe University | Recommended | Gans J, King S, Stonecash R, Byford M, Libich J and Mankiw, G.N. (2016) | Cengage |
| Readings | Economic Issues Learner Resource | Prescribed | Didasko Digital, 2017 | Didasko Group |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Critically evaluate the relationships between macroeconomic variables and their impacts on business
- Activities:
- Online quizzes, research and assignment
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
02. Use models to predict the impact of changing market conditions and to suggest solutions to economic problems.
- Activities:
- Group assignment, online exercises and quizzes
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
03. Undertake research to investigate current issues or events in the economy and critically reflect on the merits of different sources of information.
- Activities:
- Group assignment including individual component on inquiry/research
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
04. Explain fundamental economics concepts using text, diagrams, equations and other media
- Activities:
- Quizzes, online exercises and assignment
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Online (Didasko), 2019, Study Block 5, Online
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Suzanne Young
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 19 - 30
One 3.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 19 to week 30 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assignment (500 words per student) | A group mark will be awarded and each student will also receive an individual mark for independent inquiry/research. | 20 | 02, 03, 04 |
| Six individual online exercises | Students complete problem based and inquiry/research exercises. (Equivalent to 500 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Four online quizzes | Students complete problem based exercises. (Equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02 |
| One take-home examination | Students complete the assessment within 48 hours of it being made available. (Equivalent to a 3 hour exam/3,000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Online (Didasko), 2019, Study Block 8, Online
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Suzanne Young
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 32 - 43
One 3.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assignment (500 words per student) | A group mark will be awarded and each student will also receive an individual mark for independent inquiry/research. | 20 | 02, 03, 04 |
| Six individual online exercises | Students complete problem based and inquiry/research exercises. (Equivalent to 500 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Four online quizzes | Students complete problem based exercises. (Equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02 |
| One take-home examination | Students complete the assessment within 48 hours of it being made available. (Equivalent to a 3 hour exam/3,000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Online (Didasko), 2019, Study Block 9, Online
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Suzanne Young
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 36 - 47
One 3.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 36 to week 47 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assignment (500 words per student) | A group mark will be awarded and each student will also receive an individual mark for independent inquiry/research. | 20 | 02, 03, 04 |
| Six individual online exercises | Students complete problem based and inquiry/research exercises. (Equivalent to 500 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Four online quizzes | Students complete problem based exercises. (Equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02 |
| One take-home examination | Students complete the assessment within 48 hours of it being made available. (Equivalent to a 3 hour exam/3,000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Online (Didasko), 2019, Study Block 10, Online
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Suzanne Young
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 41 - 52
One 3.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 41 to week 52 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assignment (500 words per student) | A group mark will be awarded and each student will also receive an individual mark for independent inquiry/research. | 20 | 02, 03, 04 |
| Six individual online exercises | Students complete problem based and inquiry/research exercises. (Equivalent to 500 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Four online quizzes | Students complete problem based exercises. (Equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02 |
| One take-home examination | Students complete the assessment within 48 hours of it being made available. (Equivalent to a 3 hour exam/3,000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Online (Didasko), 2019, Study Block 12, Online
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Suzanne Young
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 49
One 3.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day in week 49 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assignment (500 words per student) | A group mark will be awarded and each student will also receive an individual mark for independent inquiry/research. | 20 | 02, 03, 04 |
| Six individual online exercises | Students complete problem based and inquiry/research exercises. (Equivalent to 500 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Four online quizzes | Students complete problem based exercises. (Equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02 |
| One take-home examination | Students complete the assessment within 48 hours of it being made available. (Equivalent to a 3 hour exam/3,000 words) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |