Postgraduation Program HI5003 Economics for Business
HOLMES INSTITUTE
FACULTY OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
HOLMES INSTITUTE
FACULTY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM
SUBJECT OUTLINE
HI5003 Economics for Business (Normal Mode)
Sydney / Melbourne/Brisbane
TRIMESTER 1 / 2017
Holmes Institute is committed to providing the highest quality education in a
dynamic, student-centred learning environment. Holmes Institute fosters in
its students rational thought, intellectual integrity and social responsibility.
www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation
Hong Kong
Brisbane
Sydney
MelbournePostgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
FACULTY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Holmes Institute Faculty of Higher Education offers business courses that combine discipline-based excellence
with practical applications. The faculty operates on campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Hong Kong.
The faculty offers a Bachelor of Business, a Bachelor of Professional Accounting, a Master of Professional
Accounting, a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Business.
Details about the members of the faculty can be found on the faculty's home page at www.holmes.edu.au
HOLMES INSTITUTE POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS
At Holmes Institute, the Master of Business Administration and Master of Professional Accounting programs
offer domestic and international students the opportunity to study a set of contemporary subjects in the field
of business. These subjects prepare students for the challenges in business environments of the 21st century.
These programs emphasize the global and cross-cultural dimensions of business. Teaching utilizes a
combination of delivery methods and includes critical analysis and case study methods. A combination of
exams, case studies and company analysis are used in assessment.
The Masters programs of Holmes Institute focus on:
Developing career related capabilities
Business numeracy and literacy
Developing managerial proficiency
Working in the new economy
Leadership skills
Entrepreneurship
Social responsibility and ethics
SUBJECT OVERVIEW
Welcome from the Subject Coordinator:
Welcome to HI5003 Economics for Business. In this course, students will be introduced to a variety of topics,
including: introduction to economics, micro and macro economics, demand and supply, scarcity of resources
and allocation of resources, various market structures, costs of production, market failure, GDP, economic
growth, inflation, unemployment economics cycle, monetary and fiscal policies and international economic
environment impact on domestic economy and how to understand, analyse and interpret economic news.
SUBJECT RATIONALE & OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this subject is to provide an understanding of both micro and macro economics relevant to
business environments. The subject is delivered within a framework of sustainability and covers a range of
topics in economics in both a domestic and an international context such as what makes firms competitive, the
role of economic policy, what makes economies successful in a global environment, trade versus aid and the
role of government. Macroeconomic issues addressed also include the identification of factors that determine
the short-term and the long-term performance of a national economy. In this context, the role of consumer
spending, investment, government taxes and spending on imports and exports and the part played by banks,
interest rates and financial markets is outlined. This subject describes the broad business and economic
environment in which manager’s work and focuses on the development and use of economic principles and
tools which will equip business managers to effectively operate in a range of business settings.Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
SUBJECT OBJECTIVES
On completion of this subject students will have:
A broad understanding of the principles of micro and macro economics in a variety of business
environments;
An understanding of productivity and its influence on business and national economic performance;
An understanding of the likely impacts of fiscal and monetary policy and how they influence business
decisions;
A well- developed understanding of the language of economics and the tools of the economist.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcomes
1. A broad understanding of the principles of macro and micro economics in a variety
of business environments
2. An understanding of productivity and its influence on business and national
economic performance
3. An understanding of the likely impacts of fiscal and monetary policy and how they
influence business decisions
4. A well- developed understanding of the language of economics and the tools of the
economist
SUBJECT ADMINISTRATION
Awards Duration Core/Elective Subject weight Campus
MBA, MPA, GradDip 1 semester Core 3 credit points Melb / Syd/Bris
Mode of delivery On campus
Prerequisites Nil
Workload Students are expected to attend all classes
Delivery A weekly three hour class including two hrs lecture and one hr tutorial
Independent study 5 hrs
CONTACT DETAILS
Subject Coordinator and
Lecturer (S1) Sydney
Campus
02) 9299 1400
Ross Brennan (Normal
Mode S2)
Jas Paul Chawla
[email protected]
[email protected]
Consultation times
Tue 3 to 5
Wed 2 to 4
Fri 3 to 5
TBAPostgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
Usha Iyer [email protected] TBA
Serguei Mikhailitchenko
Lecturer at Brisbane
campus
Mr Sudarshan Chalise
[email protected] TBA
Lecturer at Melbourne
campus 03) 9662 2055
Mr Ali Yousefi
Dr Long Tran
Lecturer in Gold Coast
@holmes.edu.au
TBA
* Other times by appointment
Students please note:
Holmes Institute provides each student with a Holmes webmail. Faculty and Administrative staff can only
communicate with you using your Holmes Institute mail address. Emails from private and/or business email
accounts cannot be used and may not be answered.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT TYPE DUE DATE WEIGHT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Tutorial and /or seminar activity
Weekly
individual
contribution
10% 1,2,3 & 4
Individual Paper (ONLY SOFT COPY REQUIRED) Week 6 15% 1,2,3 & 4
Group Assignment (ONLY SOFT COPY REQUIRED) Week 12 25% 1,2,3 & 4
Final Exam Exam week 50% 1 to 4
ASSESSMENT POLICY
To be eligible to pass this subject, students must complete all forms of assessment and demonstrate
achievement of the learning outcomes. All assignments must be submitted electronically using a word
processor, uploaded to Blackboard via SafeAssign. You must print and attach the full SafeAssign report with the
Holmes Institute Cover Sheet to the printed assignment (hard copy).
The assignment cover sheet must include the student’s/students’ name/s, HI Student ID/s, subject code and
subject name, subject lecturer’s name, assignment due date and time of submission. All hard copies must be
placed in the Assignment Box in the Resource Centre during opening hours.
Submission deadlines are strictly enforced and late submissions incur penalties unless an extension and/or
special consideration has been granted by the Subject Coordinator. No assessments are accepted after 14
calendar days of the due date. Students are requested to familiarize themselves with the Holmes Institute
Assessment Policy at: www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation/assessment.
STANDARD GRADING SYSTEM AND DISTRIBUTION
GRADE LETTER RANGE
High Distinction HD 80% and abovePostgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
Distinction D 70 – 79%
Credit CR 60 – 69%
Pass P 50 – 59%
Fail NN 0-45% (did not meet the standard required according
to the learning outcomes in the Subject Guide )
Faculty Pass* FP 46 – 49% (awarded by Board of Examiners)
Supplementary Exam Granted
(a temporary grade)
NS Supplementary examination granted
Deferred Exam (a temporary
grade)
ND Officially Deferred examination
Fail NA Student did not submit any work according to the
schedule in the Subject Guide
Result Withheld RW Additional assessment and/or work required
Result Withheld WH Outstanding fees or non-return of Holmes Institute
materials
* This grade is sometimes referred to as a conceded pass at other institutions
VIEWING STUDENT GRADES
Results including the final grade can be viewed via the Grade Centre on Blackboard. Results for all assessments
are published within two weeks of the due date of the assessment and the final examination. Students who
wish to appeal their mark for a specific assessment are advised to follow the procedures outlined at
www.holmes.edu.au /highereducation/appeals
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Holmes Institute views all forms of academic misconduct as most serious offences. Academic misconduct in
any form during an examination is not tolerated and will be dealt with according to the policies and procedures
set out in the Holmes Institute Student Handbook (see www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation/handbook).
Plagiarism occurs when one uses another person’s ideas or manner of expressing them and passes them off as
one’s own work by failing to give appropriate acknowledgement (that is, referencing the source). Any instances
of plagiarism will be dealt with promptly (see www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation/handbook).
It is important that students reference their work appropriately. The Faculty of Higher Education at Holmes
Institute uses the APA (American Psychological Association) style of referencing. A detailed guide to
referencing can be found in the Student Handbook. It is expected that you will be familiar with the APA style of
referencing.
USE OF BLACKBOARD
Holmes Institute uses Blackboard as its online teaching platform and all students enrolled have access to
Blackboard to access their lecture material, grades, important announcements on their subjects and discussion
rooms for selected subjects.
Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to check Blackboard on a regular basis. It is expected that
students will have viewed lecture materials and additional readings before class. All students are advised to
familiarize themselves with the use of Blackboard. Guides to Blackboard are available in the Resource Centre
on each campus (see www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation/blackboard). Should you have difficulties accessing
and/or using Blackboard, please contact your lecturer or the Holmes Institute Blackboard Helpdesk on:
[email protected].
USE OF RESOURCE CENTER AND PROQUESTPostgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
For most subjects, students are expected to engage in additional research. Textbooks and teaching materials
available in the Resource Centre will be of use here. In addition, current students have access to a range of
electronic academic journals via Proquest, which is accessible once you log into Blackboard.
Should you require any assistance with the use of Proquest and/or online research, please contact your lecturer
and/or the Resource Centre staff on your campus.
STUDY SKILLS & ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Students who have difficulties with their studies and/or specific forms of assessment should visit online Study
Skills on www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation/studyskills. Holmes Institute also offers regular Academic
Support, which is free for any student enrolled. See details on
www.holmes.edu.au/highereducation/academicsupport.Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
DETAILED INFORMATION ON SUBJECT ASSESSMENTS
1. Tutorial and/or seminar activity: Discussion of Issues
ASSESSMENT
Weighting: 10%
1
Every lecture session begins with a discussion of Issues in Economics for
Business.
You will be assessed on the frequency (how many) and quality (how good) of
your contributions to those discussions over the trimester.
TOTAL 10%
2. Individual Paper Assessment criteria
Due: Week 6 ASSESSMENT
Weighting: 15%
Length: Maximum 1000 words 2
Newspaper Analysis (Essay) 15%
1) Choose a topic from Micro economics that matters to you and find
a recent news article covering that topic. Following are some of the
topics from where students need to choose ONLY one topic:
- Monopolies, Duopoly and Oligopolies in Australia
- Demand and Supply of certain resources in Australia
- Costs of production in ANY manufacturing industry in
Australia
- Reforms in Education, Meat, Agriculture and Tourism
Industries in Australia. Choose ONLY ONE industry out of this
list.
PL see the additional guidelines provided for this assignment.
2) Evaluate the article using Economic concepts. You should include
The essence of the story (1 to 2 paragraphs): Introduce the
issue, who is interested in it and why.
The economic analysis (2 to 3 paragraphs): Explain how you can
present the issue in terms of economic concepts and theories
you have learnt in class.
Explain your view (1 to 2 paragraphs): Explain what actions you
would recommend to the key players and/or policy holders.Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
Explain how the above analysis supports your conclusion (1 to 2
paragraphs).
3) You may provide graphs/charts/diagrams where necessary to
enhance your presentation style.
4) Students need to submit ONLY the Soft copy and upload on BB by
that time.
Marking Criteria
1) Critical thinking skills
2) Clarity of writing and ability to express your ideas
3) Ability to use economic concepts and theories in the context of the
news article.
TOTAL 15%
3. Group Assignment: Assessment criteria
Due: Week 12 ASSESSMENT
Weighting: 25%
Length: Maximum of 10 pages or 3000 Words 3
Group Assignment (Written report): 25%
1. Organize yourselves into groups. Each group is to have Four or Five
members depending upon the class size.
2. Groups need to choose a topic from the list of topics provided by the
lecturer and write an essay on the chosen topic.
The list contains some micro and macro areas which would help students to
understand the various topics and their relevance in the real life.
3. This group assignment’s will be assessed on the basis of the following
criteria:
- The current research on the topic
- Analysis of the topic and the application
- Student’s showing their understanding and current debate by different
governments, economists and the industry.
4. Following are the main topics of your research from which group will
choose any ONE:Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
- Economic Growth of Australia in last 3 to 5 years
- Unemployment in Australia last 5 years
- Fiscal Policy of Australian government in last 3 to 5 years
- Australian current debate/Policy on renewable energy
- Carbon Tax/ETS debate in Australia
- Reforms in Meat, Agriculture, Education and Tourism Industry in
Australia (Choose Only One industry out of this list)
5. Groups need to come and talk to their lecturer by Week 5 the latest, and
advise their chosen topic before they start.
6. Following is the structure of the essay:
- Introduction 300 words
- Body 2500 words discussing and analyzing the research and the application
- Conclusion 200 words. Final comments on the topic and group’s findings (Pl
see the list of topics and structure under additional readings)
TOTAL
The use of appropriate referencing is expected and will be assessed.
Students need to submit ONLY the SOFT COPY of the assignment and
upload on BB by that time.
25%
4. Final Examination Assessment criteria
ASSESSMENT
Weighting: 50%
Length: 2 hours and 10 minutes 4
The final examination will be drawn from the material presented in lectures.
In preparation you should find the discussion issues from each of our formal
sessions useful in assessing your own preparedness for the examination.
More detail will be provided during the trimester.
The exam is scheduled during the regular examination period. It is a CLOSED
BOOK EXAM
TOTAL 50%
Assessment criteria
The following is a guide to the type of work that is expected at each letter grade level:Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
HD Outstanding work which exhibits sophisticated understanding and critical synthesis, analysis and
evaluation of the subject matter. While the work utilizes opinions of others, judgements about the value
of the subject matter are made and drawn together in an organized whole. Gaps in the subject matter
might also be identified and the implications discussed.
D Substantial work of high quality, which demonstrates a clear understanding of the subject matter, in which
the relationship between the constituent elements are identified clearly and discussed with some level of
critical analysis. T he work also applies abstract ideas in concrete situations.
CR Sound and competent work, which demonstrates a reasonable but not complete grasp of the subject
matter. The work utilizes recall and paraphrases the work of others concerning the subject matter. Some
basic level of critical analysis is evident. Originality in the work is rarely evident.
P Work that demonstrates a satisfactory engagement with the subject matter such that the student is said
to have a general understanding of the field. Provides an adequate basis for further study.
NN Did not meet the learning objective of the subject.Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
SUBJECT RESOURCES
Prescribed Textbook (compulsory)
Allan Layton, Tim Robinson “Economics for Today”;, 4th Asia Pacific ed., Prentice Hall, Harlow.
Recommended Reading *
1. Atkinson, B. and Miller, R (1998) Business Economics, Harlow, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.
2. Atkinson, B., Livesey, F. and Milward, B (1998) Applied Economics, MacMillan, London.
3. Begg, D. and Ward, D (2003) Economics for Business, Maidenhead, McGraw-Hill, New York.
4. Dornbusch, R. et al. (2002) Macroeconomics, McGraw Hill, Sydney.
5. Harris, N (2001) Business Economics Theory and Application, Butterworth-Heinmann, Oxford.
6. Mahadevan, R. (2004) The Economics of Productivity in Asia and Australia, Edward Elgar Publishing,
Cheltenham.
7. Perloff, J. (2001) Microeconomics, 2nd ed., Addison Wesley Longman, New York.
Please note that additional recommended readings may be supplied by the lecturer in class or/and
via Blackboard.
LECTURE SCHEDULE/SYLLABUS
Wk Topics scheduled Assessment Tutorial Activities Chapters
1 Introduction the economic way of thinking
Production Possibility and Opportunity cost See blackboard 1 &2
2 Market demand and supply Class exercises
See blackboard 3
3
Market demand and supply
Markets in action Class questions
See blackboard 3&4
4
Markets in action
Elasticity of demand and supply Class questions
See blackboard 4&5
5
Elasticity of demand and supply
Production costs Class exercises
See blackboard 5&6
6 Perfect competition, Monopoly
Monopolistic competition and Oligopoly
Individual
Assignment
ONLY SOFT
COPY ON BB
DUE
Class questions
See blackboard 7,8&9
7 Measuring the size of the economy
Class discussion
questions
See blackboard
11
8 Business cycles and economic growth Class exercises
See blackboard 12
9 Inflation and Unemployment Class discussion
See blackboard 13
10 A simple model of Macro economy
The monetary and financial system
Class questions
See blackboard 14 & 15
11 Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy Class questions
See blackboard 16&17
12 International Trade and Finance & REVISION
Group
Assignment
ONLY SOFT
COPY ON BB
Class discussion 18Postgraduate Program HI5003 Economics for Business
DUE
Exam *
* Note: Students must consult the Academic Calendar for the dates of the Examination Week in the trimester.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE
Studying in higher education presents many experiences and challenges. These might involve academic,
personal and/or professional issues. At Holmes Institute, we have a range of people who can help you with
various challenges. The following table identifies contact points should you require any support.
SUPPORT REQUIRED WHO TO CONTACT
Information for Current Students Holmes Institute Student Handbook:
Academic Probation / Mentoring Academic Mentors, Associate Dean
Accommodation Holmes Institute Home Stay
Computers, Blackboard, Email IT Help Desk
Disability Needs Holmes Institute Campus Directors
Employment and Careers Career Development Team
Enrolment Higher Education Coordinator
Exams Higher Education Coordinator
Financial Issues Holmes Institute Campus Directors
Personal Issues National Higher Education Program Manager, Mentoring
Team
Proquest Database Librarian on each Campus
Study Skills Holmes Institute Academic Support & Study Skills Team
Visa Issues, COEs etc. Higher Education Coordinator
This subject outline was prepared by the Course Development Team for the Undergraduate Programs, Faculty
of Higher Education, Holmes Institute. It was correct at the time of publication. Change to the Subject Outline
may occur at any time. However, the Faculty of Higher Education endeavours to inform the students
accordingly. This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study,
research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process
or placed in computer memory without written permission. Enquires should be made to Holmes Institute
Faculty of Higher Education. © Copyright 2010.