Unit Outline

BEA200 Public Policy and Welfare shows how economic theory can be directly applied to explain the behaviour of individuals and help solve the decisions that policymakers face. The unit introduces and uses the neoclassical theory of consumer behaviour to initially explain how individuals respond to changes in prices, wages, interest rates and income and how to measure their welfare. The unit then considers both market and non-market public policy options such as sin-taxes, the impact of subsidies, free education vs. vouchers, welfare payments and clawback. The unit concludes by examining concepts of efficiency and social welfare and their measurement in a general equilibrium framework.

This unit is a core unit in the Bachelor of Economics and can be taken as a nominated elective in a wide range of other programs throughout the University of Tasmania.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Use economic concepts and theories to analyse economic decisions.
2	Apply economic theory to identify public policy issues and how public policy is influenced by efficiency and equity.
3	Apply economic models to analyse key public policies.
4	Effectively communicate economics in written format.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	BEA111 Prior Skills and Knowledge: Students enrolling in BEA200 are expected to have the following basic skills in mathematics: Basic Algebra (manipulation of equations, solving equations) and Linear Functions (plotting functions, identifying slope and intercept). An understanding of simple calculus is also useful but will be taught as part of the unit. Students enrolling in BEA200 are also expected to be able to use MS Excel and MS Word – to perform simple calculations and produce professional reports.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assignment 1	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Assignment 2	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Quizzes	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assignment 1

Task Description:

Multipart questions that require the use of microeconomic analysis in order to examine policy issues. Detailed guidelines and instructions will be posted on MyLO under Assignments.

Task Length:

Approximately 12-24 pages. Assignment must be typed, diagrams may be hand-drawn, and mathematics may be hand-written.

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of economic concepts and theories.	LO1
2	Apply economic theory to identify public policy issues and analyse how public policy is influenced by efficiency and equity.	LO2
3	Identify and apply economic models to analyse key public policies.	LO3
4	Effectively communicate economics in written format.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assignment 2

Task Description:

Multipart questions that require the use of microeconomic analysis in order to examine policy issues. Detailed guidelines and instructions will be posted on MyLO under Assignments.

Task Length:

Approximately 12-24 pages. Assignment must be typed, diagrams may be hand-drawn, and mathematics may be hand-written.

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of economic concepts and theories.	LO1
2	Apply economic theory to identify public policy issues and analyse how public policy is influenced by efficiency and equity.	LO2
3	Identify and apply economic models to analyse key public policies.	LO3
4	Effectively communicate economics in written format	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Quizzes

Task Description:

There are eleven (11) multiple choice quizzes to be completed online via MyLO each week. ‎Each quiz can be sat once anytime within the time it is available. You will have 20 minutes to complete each quiz. Each will comprise of 10 ‎multiple-choice questions. Additional details will be provided on MyLO under Quizzes. ‎

Task Length:

20 minutes x 11

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of economic concepts and theories.	LO1
2	Apply economic theory to identify public policy issues and analyse how public policy is influenced by efficiency and equity.	LO2
3	Identify and apply economic models to analyse key public policies.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Perloff, Smith and Round, Microeconomics (Australian Edition), Pearson, 2014. ISBN 9781442532830

This is the first ever Australian edition of an intermediate microeconomics text! It contains clear diagrams, solved problems, chapter summaries and applications of microeconomics to real-world Australian and international events, issues and policies.

Students may also wish to purchase e-book access for the prescribed text directly from Pearson’s Australian website.

eText only: http://www.pearson.com.au/9781442548695