Courses & Units

Economic Policy in Action BEA121

Hobart, Online

Introduction

BEA121 Economic Policy in Action expands upon the key microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts introduced in BEA111 Introduction to Markets and the Economy. The first module of the unit focusses on extending the macroeconomics in BEA111 to consider international trade, exchange rates and the balance of payments. It also examines conventional and unconventional monetary and fiscal macroeconomic policy options to promote economic growth and manage shocks during times of crisis. The second module of the unit focuses on how to measure the economic impact of a business or industry and its impacts on the economy. 

BEA121 is the second of two foundation level economics units offered by the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics. Taken together with BEA111 Introduction to Markets and the Economy, BEA121 provides you with a comprehensive introduction to macroeconomic theory and policy and forms a strong foundation if you are planning to continue your study of economics.

BEA121 is a compulsory unit in the Bachelor of Economics (BEc) degree. It is also a compulsory unit in all the Economic majors offered by the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics and is a nominated elective in a wide range of other programs throughout the University of Tasmania.

Summary

Unit name Economic Policy in Action
Unit code BEA121
Credit points 12.5
College/School Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline Economics
Coordinator Doctor Paul Blacklow
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 On-Campus International Domestic
Online Semester 2 Off-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 21/7/2025 19/8/2025 8/9/2025 26/10/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Define, measure and interpret key microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts.
  • Apply basic microeconomic and macroeconomic models to describe the impact of global and local events, social change, government policy on markets, market participants and macroeconomy.
  • Develop and critically evaluate basic microeconomic and macroeconomic policy and identify welfare implications for different members of society.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
091901 $2,124.00 $1,663.00 not applicable $2,726.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XPD104

Teaching

AssessmentWorkshop Presentation (10%)|Weekly Quizzes (20%)|Consultant Report (35%)|Macroeconomic Assignment (35%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

While there is no prescribed textbook for this unit, it is strongly recommended students have access to the textbook used in BEA111, either:

  • Hubbard, Glen., Anne Garnett, Phil Lewis and Anthony O'Brien (2024), Essentials of Economics, (6th ed), Pearson. ISBN 9780655713531, NSW. or 
  • Hubbard, Glen., Anne Garnett, Phil Lewis and Anthony O'Brien (2021), Essentials of Economics, (5th ed), Pearson. ISBN 9780655702870, NSW. or
  • Hubbard, Glen., Anne Garnett, Phil Lewis and Anthony O'Brien (2018), Essentials of Economics, (4th ed), Pearson. ISBN 9781488616983, NSW.

Students will also be asked to read from the free e-text:

  • Greenlaw, Steven A. and Shapiro, David, (2022) Principles of Economics 3e. OpenStax - Rice University, USA. 

          https://openstax.org/details/books/principles-economics-3e

 

Recommended

Economic Data and Information

Societies and Professional Associations

You should read/listen/watch the economics and political sections of major international, national and local media.  But be aware that each media outlet has its biases!  Try to read/listen/watch from both conservative and progressive media outlets. In addition, try to find the original source or the article and make your own conclusions, rather than accepting someone else’s opinion.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.