AIP780 - The Politics of Australia's Economy
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Baogang He |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
Managing the economy is one of the core roles of government. But the relationship between the government and the economy is dynamic and contested: how does a government decide what it should spend money on, for whose benefit and with what other priorities or agendas in mind? This unit seeks to address these questions by examining Australia’s wealth – where it began, how it grew, how it is maintained, and how governments plan for the future. To what extent should governments intervene in the future of Australia’s economy, or is this a matter best left to ‘the market’ to decide? It examines the different levers governments can use to influence the economy, and the impact of this intervention. By all measures, Australia is a wealthy country, but not all citizens have equal access to that wealth, so this unit also examines how inequality is produced and perpetuated, the impact of inequality, and what can be done about it. Case studies include gendered and generational inequality, and the social and political impact of the housing market. The unit closes with an examination of the presumption of endless economic growth in times of global uncertainty and climate change.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Identify and critically analyse the key aspects of Australia’s economy, including institutions, actors, and sectors | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Explain and critically analyse key moments in Australia's economic history and theories of the development of Australia's wealth | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Explain and critically analyse theories and empirical evidence of the relationship between citizens and the state | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Apply research, critical analysis and problem-solving skills to identify possible economic challenges and evaluate a range of possible policy responses. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Report | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2: Essay | 3000 words or equivalent | 60% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIP780 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.