HOW DO SOCIETIES AND ECONOMIES INTERACT? COMPETING APPROACHES IN POLITICAL ECONOMY

Overview

Why are only some people gainfully employed, with others unable to secure the work they need? Why are governments unable to agree on solutions to problems like climate change? Why does most economic activity take place in cities, rather than rural areas? This subject explores how economies and societies interact. Taught through a historical perspective (which identifies the key social and political problems of a particular period), you will be introduced to ideas central to classical, neoclassical, institutional and Marxian political economy, Keynesian and post-Keynesian analysis, nudge or behavioural economics, along with feminist and ecological approaches. You will compare different theories about the role of labour, capital, commodities, and ideas, along with competing views of state intervention. Without assuming any prior understanding of economics, the subject will help you analyse a variety of policy challenges. Students from regional campuses can take this subject online, with the option of a face-to-face seminar at the Bundoora campus. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of PPE or Law/PPE should choose the face-to-face seminar.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Subject coordinator

Miriam Bankovsky

Subject type

Undergraduate

Year level

Year Level 2 - UG

AQF level

Level 6 - Advanced Diploma

Available as elective

Yes

Available to study abroad / exchange students

Yes

Capstone subject
Capstones provide students with a way of integrating and applying knowledge and skills gained throughout their course.

Academic progress review - Schedule A subject

Subject instances

To view instance specific details which include - Assessments, Class requirements and Subject instance coordinators - please select your preferred instance via the drop-down menu at the top right-hand side of this page.

Career ready

Work based learning (placement):No

Graduate capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Subject intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Understand the major schools of contemporary political economy with an appreciation of the social problems to which each school responded, and the strengths and weaknesses of each school.

Apply the approach of a particular school to understand a particular event, issue or public policy challenge

Demonstrate an awareness of how political economy is related to politics, philosophy and economics

Demonstrate an understanding of how different theories of the economy can inform public policy.

Learning activities

Seminars, discussions, class activities, quizzes, research essay.

Handbook