Course Title: Diverse Perspectives on the World Economy

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Diverse Perspectives on the World Economy

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ECON1586

City Campus

Undergraduate

625H Economics, Finance and Marketing

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 2 2024

ECON1587

Singapore Inst of Management

Undergraduate

625H Economics, Finance and Marketing

Face-to-Face

Offsh3 22,
Offsh1 23,
Offsh3 23,
Offsh1 24,
Offsh3 24

ECON1588

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

625H Economics, Finance and Marketing

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2022,
Viet3 2022,
Viet1 2023,
Viet3 2023,
Viet2 2024,
Viet3 2024

ECON1589

RMIT Vietnam Hanoi Campus

Undergraduate

625H Economics, Finance and Marketing

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2022,
Viet3 2022,
Viet1 2023,
Viet3 2023,
Viet2 2024,
Viet3 2024

Course Coordinator: Bhagya Gunawardena

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99254345

Course Coordinator Email: bhagya.gunawardena@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Melbourne Campus Building 80

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course critically discusses and applies competing narratives and perspectives of economic thinking to the great challenges societies face in the early 21st century. These economic problems are complex and diverse and often require multi-dimensional solutions drawn from a range of diverse perspectives. Problems such as economic instability and crises, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation as well as poverty, exploitation, and gender inequality can be approached from very different angles within the economics discipline. The purpose of this course is to introduce course participants to the depth of diverse perspectives that inform economic thinking. A pluralistic approach will be taken to explore scholarly thinking around human nature & economic behaviour, incorporating views from various school of economic thought including but not limited to Neo-classical, Austrian, Marxist, institutional, feminist, evolutionary, ecological and behavioural approaches. Students will apply these perspectives to explore alternative paths to sustainable economic development. The overall aim is to provide course participants with the intellectual and analytic tools to navigate the increasingly complex world as individual members of society and in their future professional roles.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

.


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

CLO1: Examine what is meant by economic pluralism and how different approaches to studying the real world economy evolve out of diverse world views, values, practices and behavioural standards

CLO2: Interpret economics as a scientific discipline and analyse the role of economics in society

CLO3: Evaluate differences in world views, assumptions, methods of analysis and views of human nature taken by the various schools of economic thought

CLO4: Analyse the impact of diverse perspectives on pathways to achieving sustainable development goals

CLO5: Critically examine the contending perspectives of the schools of thought to challenges faced by society such as globalization, digital transformation and rapid technological change

CLO6: Undertake critical and comparative judgements understanding that knowledge and values depend on perspectives. Commit to a course of action based on critical evaluation


Overview of Learning Activities

To achieve the desired learning outcomes the students are encouraged to participate in the following learning experiences: Attendance and participation in class activities. Using the various resources provided in canvas for content knowledge. In this course you will be encouraged to be an active learner. Your learning will be supported through various in-class and online activities comprising individual and group work. These may include quizzes; assignments; prescribed readings; sourcing, researching and analysing specific information; solving problems; conducting presentations; producing written and visual work and collaborating with peers on set tasks or projects.


Overview of Learning Resources

Various learning resources are available online through MyRMIT Studies/Canvas. The lecture notes and workshop notes are posted on Canvas.

RMIT Library provides extensive resources, services and study spaces. All RMIT students have access to scholarly resources including course related material, books, e-books, journals and databases.

Computers and printers are available at every Library. You can access the Internet and Library e-resources. You can also access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library.

Contact: Ask the Library for assistance and information on Library resources and services: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library. Study support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, information literacy, referencing, maths and study skills.  Additional resources and/or sources to assist your learning will be identified by your course coordinator and will be made available to you as required during the teaching period.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment tasks, their weighting and the course learning outcomes to which they are aligned are as follows.

Assessment Task 1: 40%

Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment Task 2: 25%

Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Assessment Task 3: 35%

Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6