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Description: This nine-week course offers a pluralist introduction to political economy and economics. We examine nine competing schools of thought, each of which offer an original and distinctive illumination of economic reality. The course is tertiary (i.e. university level) in nature and teaching staff are both highly 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 economy or economics to enrol. The approach is friendly and informal, rather than stuffy or pretentious.  

Design: Each week you view (or listen as a podcast) to a pre-recorded lecture (at whatever time suits you). You then undertake some suggested reading, and then participate in a weekly 90-minute tutorial (which has a 5-minute break halfway through) where we discuss set questions and also field any questions and comments you might have. Tutorial sizes have a maximum upper limit of 24 people in order to generate a conversational, easy-going and genuinely interactive experience. You can engage with the tutorials (and the subject itself) in the manner, and in the depth that suits you. One-on-one help is provided whenever you need to clarify anything.

Weekly Tutorial Options: All tutorials start in the week commencing 12th July 2026. Currently, one weekly tutorial is scheduled on Tuesdays 6-7.30pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time – which is 10-11.30am Central European Time). Other tutorials are likely to be scheduled, so if this tutorial time does not suit you, register an expression of interest, indicating what time(s) would suit and we will see will try to schedule something that works for you either this coming term, or in future terms. Click here to convert any of the above stated time(s) to another time zone.   

Assessment: Weekly tutorial discussions provide you with the opportunity  to test and clarify and ideas. There are also detailed questions and answers in each week’s learning materials. These Q&A’s allow you to self-assess your knowledge. Whenever you find a gap in your knowledge you are encouraged to reach out for help before, during or after the discussion sessions. 

Accreditation: If you attend at least 7 of the 10 classes, we can upon request issue you with a record of completion. 

Cost (major currencies listed below, please contact us for costs in other currencies)

Australian Dollars    AUD$275.00 
US Dollars               US$200.00 
Euros                       EUR175.00     
UK Pounds              GBP150.00
Canadian Dollars     CAD$275.00  

Payment can be made via electronic funds transfer, credit card or PayPal. All students are eligible for a full (and no questions asked) refund if they change their mind about undertaking the course provided they can provide notification within 10 days of registering. 

All sound good? If so, click here to enrol. If you have any questions, submit them here.  

Week 1 institutional Economics

It is sometimes imagined that the economy is a system of markets when it is in fact a system of institutions (i.e. formal and informal rules). Whilst the market is definitely a central economic institution, it is necessarily nested inside other institutions and these other institutions exert a profound influence over how markets work. Institutionalism is an excellent way to start our intellectual journey. It is very much economics as social science and is as illuminating as it is accessible. 

Week 2 Behavioural economics

Behavioural economics brings psychological insights and methods into economic decision making. A major and consistent finding of this school of thought is that our decision making is often surprisingly irrational. We consider what policy implications result from our regularly poor decisions, including contemplating the use of behavioural ‘nudges.’ We also contemplate how behavioural economics might (and might not) improve various real world outcomes. 

Week 3 austrian economics

This week we look at the ideas of the often strongly libertarian Austrian School. Scholars working in this tradition include Mises and Hayek. We examine and evaluate the many interesting, important and influential ideas associated with this school. We also examine whether all the ideas of this school of thought are inherently libertarian or whether some of them might also be relevant and useful to those of a more progressive persuasion.    

Week 4 neoclassical Economics 

Neoclassical economics (sometimes called ‘mainstream economics’ or ‘traditional economics’ or ‘orthodox economics’) is something every political economist and economist needs to be familiar and confident with. Here we present neoclassical content in an accessible manner by focusing on understanding and evaluating the underlying ideas – rather than getting bogged down in technical or mathematical details. If you are seeking to better understand (and better evaluate) the way economists make sense of the world, this material should be both interesting and of practical use to you. 

Week 5 Post Keynesian economICS

We look at the often misunderstood ideas of J M Keynes, particularly his very important ideas concerning the fundamental uncertainty of the future, and the role of money in a market economy. We explain the difference between the Keynes as understood in neoclassical (orthodox) economics versus Keynes’ ideas as expressed in his own writings. We also contemplate the role that Keynesian ideas could play in confronting contemporary challenges such as economic instability, stagnation, inequality and environmental constraint. Key thinkers in the Post Keynesian tradition include not just Keynes but Michael Kalecki, Joan Robinson (pictured left) among many others. 

Week 6 Marxian political economy 

in this week we look at Marx’s distinctive and wide-ranging contribution to political economy. This will include discussion of his formulation of the labour theory of value, historical materialism and much more. Marx is regularly misunderstood by his detractors but aspects of his thinking have been misunderstood some of his self-identified supporters. Given this, there is an emphasis on taking a scholarly and nuanced approach that can hopefully offer something new to all students.

Week 7 GEORGIST economICS 

Classical political economists such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo accorded land special status in economic theory. George extended this work and was a particularly effective and influential advocate for greater taxation of land. If you are interested in issue of housing affordability and inequality of wealth and income you will find much to engage with in Georgist ideas.  

Week 8 Feminist economICS

Feminist economists make a number of important contributions to our understanding of economic and social reality. In particular, they offer often striking illumination of recurrent and often quite serious gender blind-spots that can distort the world and our analysis of it. In this week we will examine the key ideas in feminist political economy, including the policy implications they carry. 

 

Week 9 ecological EconomICS

Ecological economics is an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary area of knowledge whose foundation stone is the recognition that the economic system sits inside a social system which in turn needs to exist inside the opportunities and constraints of an environmental system. We examine the key ideas and figures in this school including debates between advocates for de-growth and green-growth.