1997 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

institutions provided that they show the relevance of these
coursework subjects to their proposed area of research. Such
arrangements are subject to the student having any necessary
prerequisite studies and may be subject to any quotas
imposed on these subjects by the offering school.
Students must submit their proposal to the Economics
Honours Convener for approval prior to the
commencement of their honours program. Approval for a
student's discipline-specific course of study and research
project proposal shall be subject to the availability of any
necessary resources and the availability of appropriate staff
supervision.
Advanced Economics
Students will engage in a program of advanced study
designed to enhance their ability to apply economic
reasoning and economic techniques to issues of importance
to business, government and society. The reading and
seminar program will broaden and add depth to the
student's understanding of significant policy issues and will
support the student in carrying out their economics research
project.
Applied Economics Honours Research Project
Students will be required to undertake a substantial research
project in an area of applied economics. No specific topic is
prescribed, rather, students will be encouraged to formulate
their own problems and hypothesis. Potential areas for
research will reflect expertise within the department which
could include international trade and finance, industrial
relations, financial institutions and monetary policy and
public finance, including the economics of the environment
and social issues. Students will be required to make class
presentations at progressive stages in their research. The
research project will be presented in the form of a written
dissertation of approximately 15 000 words in length.
Students intending to complete their degree with honours
must apply for entry into the honours year by the end of
their three year degree.
Note that entry into the honours year is competitive and the
number of places is subject to a quota.
BE401 Economics for Business
2.25 hours pw week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: assignment/exam
A subject in the Graduate Certificate in Business
Administration.
Ob jedives
To enable students to better interpret, analyse and evaluate
economic news items. To actively involve students in the
understanding and appreciation of economic issues and
policies. To give students a better knowledge of the
Australian and international economic environment for
business. To provide students with a systematic framework
for understanding and appreciating current economic
issues.
Content
The subject consists of twelve two and a quarter hour
sessions. These sessions will be divided roughly into a one
and a half hour general content based, lecture led, informal
discussion session pertaining to a specific course topic and a
forty-five minute tutorial. Candidates will be introduced to
principles and practices applying to the Australian
economy. Students are welcome to bring relevant articles for
discussion during the tutorial sesseion. Time will also be
allocated for syndicates to work on solving specific
problems.
Recommended reading
Freebairn, M.L. et al. Introduction to Australian Macroeconomics.
3rd edn, Hawthorn, Vic., Swinburne Press, 1995
Jackson, J., McIver, P. and McConnell, J., Economics, Sydney,
McGraw-Hill, 4th edn, 1994
This text covers the lecture content for the course. Students
should read each topic prior to the relevant session.
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A comprehensive list of important references will be provided.
BE501 Economics
2 hoursper week Hawthorn Assessment: to be advised
A subject in the Graduate Diploma course in Business
Administration.
Content
No prior knowledge of economics is assumed. Applicants
who have recently majored in economics at a tertiary level
are advised to enrol for another postgraduate diploma subject.
The first half of the course is concerned with industry
economics, covering in particular market structure, conduct
and performance issues.
The second half of the course introduces students to key
macroeconomic concepts, current issues and policies. It is
applied in nature and frequent reference is made to current
economic events as publicised in the mass media.
Topics covered by the course are drawn from markets,
resource allocation and efficiency; production and costs;
pricing and profit; industry economics including public
policy aspects; economic indicators and economic cycles;
aggregate demand and supply analysis; unemployment;
inflation; international economic constraints; financial
markets and government macroeconomics policies.
Recommended reading
Freebairn, et al. Introduction to Australian Macroeconomics,
Hawthorn, Vic., Citadel Press, 1994
Caves, R. et al. Australian Industry Structure, Conduct,
Pe$ormance. 2nd edn, Sydney, Prentice Hall, 1987
Indecs. State of Play 8 The Australian Economic Policy Debate.
Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 1992
Waud, R.N., Hocking, A., Maxwell, P. and Bonnici, I.
Economics. 2nd Aust. edn, Sydney, Harper Educational, 1992
A detailed reading guide will be issued at the start of the semester.
BE504 The Nature and Characteristics of
Markets
2 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisites: nil Credit will
be given for a comparable suhect successfully completed at the
graduate level Assessment: assignments 50%, final
examination 50%