Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Course profile

Macroeconomic Policy (ECON2040)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Economics School

Theory and practice of fiscal and monetary policy over the short/medium term. Conventional and unconventional monetary policy. Business cycles and stabilization policy. Exchange rate regimes. Labour markets and unemployment. Microfounded macroeconomic models. Macroecomic data analysis.

This course covers topics in macroeconomic policy at the intermediate level. The focus is on fiscal and monetary policyᅠover the short/medium term.

The course combines theory and data analysis. On the theory side, we study aggregate activity through the lenses of “microfounded” macroeconomic models. The data part focuses on analysing actual macroeconomic data from Australia and the rest of the world.ᅠ

Course requirements

Assumed background

It is assumed that students have previously covered material in the areas of macroeconomics and microeconomics at the intermediate level. Students are also expected toᅠbe reasonably comfortable with basic algebra, basic calculus, constrained optimisation, and with spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel).

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ECON1050 + (ECON2020 or 2021)

Course contact

School enquiries

Student Enquiries, School of Economics

All enquiries regarding student and academic administration (i.e. non-course content information, e.g., class allocation, timetables, extension to assessment due date, etc.) should be directed to enquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.

Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to econ2040@uq.edu.au.

Course staff

Course coordinator

Dr Terence Yeo

Tutor

Mr Samuel Buckland
Miss Emma Searle
Ms Sanjana Singh

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please refer to My Timetable (available via your my.UQ dashboard) for more information on the tutorial preferencing and allocation process. Tutorials commence in Teaching Week 2.

Students should refer to the timetable prior to the commencement of classes to ensure that they have the most up to date information, as from time to time late room changes may occur.

Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.

Important dates:

  • Public Holidays: Wed 14 August (Royal QLD Show), Mon 7 October (King's Birthday).
  • In-Semester Break: 23 - 29 September. Semester 2 classes recommence Mon 30 September.

Aims and outcomes

The main goal of the course is to equip students with a rigorous framework for understanding both macroeconomic phenomenaᅠand the role of the government in the economy.


The first part of the course concentrates on building an intertemporal “workhorse” model for analysing short/medium term policies. This model will be microfounded, in the sense that macroeconomic phenoma will result from aggregating the decisions of individual agents (e.g., consumers andᅠfirms). The model will be casted in a closed economy and in an open economy framework, to study the roles of fiscal and monetary policy.


The course aims to build a tight link between the models presented and the actual data.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Apply core theoretical macroeconomic models to explain real world macroeconomic phenomena.

LO2.

Show how aggregate macroeconomic activity is shaped by microeconomic behaviour and equilibrium restrictions.

LO3.

Identify key contemporary macroeconomic issues and discuss possible solutions towards improving current policies.

LO4.

Illustrate the trade-offs present in designing fiscal and monetary policy over the short/medium term.

LO5.

Collect, analyse, and interpret macroeconomic data from Australia and the rest of the world.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Quiz CML Quiz
  • Online
17%

12/08/2024 - 16/08/2024

Due 4pm

Examination In-Semester Examination
  • Online
30%

12/09/2024 12:00 pm

Tutorial/ Problem Set Assignment
  • Online
17%

14/10/2024 - 25/10/2024

Due 4pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
36%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Assessment details

CML Quiz

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Quiz
Weight
17%
Due date

12/08/2024 - 16/08/2024

Due 4pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The CML Quiz consists of various questions which assess the understanding of the topics studied in class. 

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

The topics covered in CML will be communicated via Blackboard.

Submission guidelines

Enter answers into Blackboard/Turnitin by the due date and time.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

No extensions are possible, even with a medical certificate. CML Access is blocked after the due date and time.

Late submission

A penalty of 100% for non-submission will apply.

In-Semester Examination

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
30%
Due date

12/09/2024 12:00 pm

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

This will be a 90 minute online, open book in-semester exam, plus an additional 10 minutes reading time and 15 minutes submission time.

The exam will consist of short answer and problem-solving questions.

The topics covered in the In-Semester Exam will be communicated via Blackboard.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. 

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 90 minutes
Calculator options

Any calculator permitted

Open/closed book Open Book examination
Exam platform Learn.UQ
Invigilation

Not invigilated

Submission guidelines

Students will need to hand write their answers on paper and scan-to-pdf before uploading to Turnitin.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Late submission

Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.

Assignment

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
17%
Due date

14/10/2024 - 25/10/2024

Due 4pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The Assignment consists of problem solving, essay, and/or short answer questions which assess the understanding of the topics studied in class. Collection, manipulation, and interpretation of macroeconomic data may be also required. 

 This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

The topics covered in the Assignment will be communicated via Blackboard.

Submission guidelines

The assignment must be submitted electronically via Blackboard/TurnitIn.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions are limited to 14 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final Exam

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
36%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

This will be a 120 minute final exam, plus additional 10 minutes reading time.

The final exam will be an in-person, open book, invigilated exam. The exam will be held during the central examination period at a day/time set by Examinations Section.

The final exam will cover all topics from lectures and tutorials and will include multiple choice, short answer and problem solving questions.

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

Any calculator permitted

Open/closed book Open Book examination
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0% - 29%

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 30% - 46%

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 47% - 49%

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50% - 64%

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65% - 74%

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75% - 84%

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85% - 100%

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

A student's final overall end of semester percentage mark will be rounded to determine their final grade. For example, 64.5% rounds to 65%, while 64.4% rounds to 64%.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Plagiarism

The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. Further information on plagiarism and how to avoid an allegation of plagiarism is available in this course profile under Policies & Guidelines. Please refer to the Academic Integrity Module (AIM). It is strongly recommended that you complete the AIMᅠif you have not already done so.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Filter activity type by

Please select
Clear filters
Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Lecture

Introduction and Macro Measurement

GDP measurement, Business Cycle measurement

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 2); Kurlat (Ch. 1)

Learning outcomes: L01, L05

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Lecture

Macro Measurement

Business Cycle measurement

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 3); Kurlat (Ch. 12)

Learning outcomes: L01, L05

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Lecture

Microfoundations

The Household

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 4); Kurlat (Ch. 7)

Learning outcomes: L02, L04

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

Lecture

Microfoundations

The Household

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 9, 11); Kurlat (Ch. 6)

Learning outcomes: L02, L04

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Lecture

Microfoundations

The Firm and the Government

Readings/Ref: Williamson (Ch. 11); Kurlat (Ch. 9)

Learning outcomes: L02, L04

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Lecture

Real Business Cycle Model

Equilibrium and Shocks

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 11); Kurlat (Ch. 9, 13)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

Lecture

Real Business Cycle Model

Equilibrium and Shocks

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 14-15); Kurlat (Ch. 9, 13)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Lecture

In-Semester Exam

In-Semester Exam to be held during lecture hours.

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Lecture

Money in the Long Run

Money aggregates, the RBA, RBC model with Money.

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 12); Kurlat (Ch. 10-11)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Mid Sem break

(23 Sep - 29 Sep)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

No classes during the break

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Lecture

Money in the Short Run

New Keynesian model

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 14-15); Kurlat (Ch. 14-15)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Lecture

Money in the Short Run II

No tutorials or consultations on Monday 7 October due to public holiday. You are invited to attend another tutorial for this week only.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Lecture

The Zero Lower Bound and economic policy

New Keynesian model

Readings/Ref: BB Resources ; Williamson (Ch. 14-15); Kurlat (Ch. 14-15)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

Lecture

Review Session

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.