Course coordinator
Associate Professor Marco Faravelli
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Economics School
This course focuses on the role of the government in the economy. Public policy issues are analysed theoretically and empirically. The course covers topics in government expenditure, taxation and political economy.
This course focuses on the role of the government in the economy. Public policy issues are analysed theoretically and empirically. The course covers topics on government expenditure, taxation and political economy.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ECON2010 or 2011
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 the Course Coordinator/Lecturer.
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lectures commence in Week 1.
Tutorials commence in Week 2.
Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.
Important Dates:
- Public Holidays: Wed 13 August (Royal Queensland Show Holiday), Mon 6 October (King’s Birthday public holiday).
- Mid-Semester Break: 29 September – 3 October. Semester 2 classes recommence on Tue 7 October.
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.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with an opportunity to understand when markets fail and how government intervention may improve economic and social outcomes. It also aims at providing students some conceptual frameworks to think about how public policy is made in political processes and its implications.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify market failures and how government interventions may improve economic and social outcomes.
LO2.
Examine how public policy is influenced by efficiency and equity objectives, is influenced by political institutions, and differs across jurisdictions.
LO3.
Analyse data on economic and social outcomes for descriptive and causal purposes.
LO4.
Analyse economic and policy problems related to education and social insurance and how these differ across jurisdictions.
LO5.
Describe fundamental issues of taxation.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique | Essay | 40% |
12/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
In-Class Quiz
|
10% |
30/10/2025 8:00 am |
| Essay/ Critique, Examination |
End-of-semester Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
12/09/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student is required to submit an individual essay of 2,500 words on a topic that will be assigned during class. The bibliography should be added at the end of the essay. The word limit includes all text, excluding solely figures, tables, photographs, and the bibliography. Half a point will be deducted from the final mark for every 100 words in excess of the limit.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 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.
In-Class Quiz
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
30/10/2025 8:00 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
30 minutes test of overall knowledge presented during the course. It may contain both problem sets and essay / open ended questions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
End-of-semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The exam will cover all topics and require both written answers and calculations.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| 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
Using AI at UQ
Visit the AI Student Hub for essential information on understanding and using Artificial Intelligence in your studies responsibly.
Plagiarism
The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. You are encouraged to read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy available in the Policies and Procedures section of this course profile.
The Academic Integrity Module (AIM) outlines your obligations and responsibilities as a UQ student. It is compulsory for all new to UQ students to complete the AIM.
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
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 1 Introduction & Welfare Theorems Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 2 Externalities Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 3 Public Goods Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 4 Education Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 5 Social Insurance Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 6 Taxation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 7 Equity and Redistribution Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 8 Collective Decision Making and Voting Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 9 Voting & Elections Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid Sem break No classes during the break. |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 10 Media & Public Policy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 11 TBC |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 12 Revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Week 13 In-class Quiz & Guest Lecture by the Honourable Paul Lucas 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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.