SPE 102. Evolution of the World Economy 

Learn about major changes to the world economy from the emergence of capitalism up the present and in the process be introduced to some of major ideas, concepts and debates in political economy and economics. This ten-week course covers the emergence of capitalism, first and second world wars, the Great Depression, the rise and fall of the USSR, the long boom (1950-73), the stagflation of the mid to late 1970s, the rise of neoliberalism (70’s, 80’s to the present), the rise of Japan, underdevelopment in the Global South, and the Global Financial Crisis. 

SPE103. Comparative economic systems

This ten week course is designed for people who have already completed SPE101 An Introduction to Political Economy or alternatively have undertaken some prior studies in political economy or economics. The first section of the course introduces the theory and concepts of comparative economics. The focus then turn to examining different types of economic systems, including social-democratic (welfare state) capitalism, neoliberal capitalism, command socialism, market socialism and local self-governance systems. Applied case studies include Sweden, Yugoslavia, China and Australia. The final section of the subject looks at both capitalist and socialist economic systems might best adapt themselves to the lessons of the past, and also better respond to the environmental, economic and social challenges of the present.

SPE104. MICROECONOMICS

Microeconomics is the study of individual markets, firms, organisations, groups, and individuals. This course is designed to provide you with a working knowledge of microeconomics and to assist you in making informed choices between competing approaches. Part 1 covers the traditional microeconomic framework which is still very dominant in influencing public and social policy – and so deserves our careful attention for that reason alone. Part 2 looks at some alternative frameworks and the different policy implications that flow from those frameworks. It is assumed that people who enrol in this subject have already completed SPE101 An Introduction to Political Economy and Economics or have some prior knowledge of economics/political economy. However, people without such a background could perhaps cope (and are welcome to try) though the learning curve will be a bit steeper.

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SPE105. MACROECONOMICS

Macroeconomics takes a system-view of the economy. If microeconomics is looking at the individual trees, macroeconomics is looking at the forest. This subject looks at macroeconomics from an explicitly Post-Keynesian perspective. As such, it recognises the importance of fundamental uncertainty, the significance of a monetary economy, realism of assumptions, historical path-dependence, political power and much more. In particular, Post Keynesians usually reject the dogma that macroeconomics is really just aggregated microeconomics given issues such as emergence and downward causation from macro to micro.

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SPE106 The Australian Political System: Key Ideas, Institutions and Debates

In this foundational political science unit we examine the nature and evolution of the Australian political system and contemporary political culture. This includes examining the fundamental ideas that the system was supposedly founded upon, tensions within and between those ideas, and how these translate into practice across each part of the system. These lines of analysis provide the foundation for regular discussion of what types of reform are required to improve the quality of our political system and how that reform might be achieved.  The course is tertiary (i.e. university level) in nature and teaching staff are both well qualified and experienced (for more information see here). However, you do not need to be connected to a university or to have previously studied political science, political economy or economics to enrol.

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