303-101 Seminar in Economics and Commerce A
The next offering of this subject will be in Semester 2, 2010 and it is only available to eligible 1st year students.
Eligibility
303-101 Seminar in Economics and Commerce A is available to high achieving students who have:
- Completed no more than one semester of study at the University of Melbourne;
- Completed 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics AND enrol in 316-101 Introductory Macroeconomics in Semester 2, 2009;
- Included at least 37.5 level-1 Commerce points and a total of no more than 50 level-1 points;
- Students who have achieved an average of 75% or above can apply;
- Students will be guaranteed entry if at least an 80% average has been achieved AND the application is received by the specified deadline;
- Additional places may be offered to students with an average of 75-79%, depending on demand.
Subject Description
This subject will be taken by Dr Robert Dixon from the Department of Economics.
The focus of the subject will be on Classical Political Economy and the inter-play of political and economic ideas. The central figures of this school -- Adam Smith, Thomas Robert Malthus, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx -- are studied with the purpose of uncovering these ideas and assessing their relevance for the modern world. Particular emphasis is placed on relating the methods, concepts, and conclusions of the classical economists to those of modern mainstream economic theory and contemporary views on the role of the State in economic affairs. Students will be expected to read original works as well as secondary literature.
The subject is specially designed for students interested in the history of economic thought - and especially in the ideas of Adam Smith and other classical writers - and in political economy, law and politics.
Classes will take the form of two 1.5 hour seminars per week (instead of two lectures plus a tutorial) means that the subject will be taught in a similar fashion to a fourth-year honours subject, with each class being a mix of (a) ‘straight’ lecture, (b) short question and answer sessions and (c) lengthy class discussion of preset questions.
Application Form and Deadline
Applications for Semester 2, 2009 have closed.
Further Information
A detailed lecture outline is available and for other information about the subject (including texts), please visit the course and subject handbook page for this subject.