25564 Labour and Industry in the Global Context
UTS: Business: Finance and EconomicsCredit points: 6 cp
Subject level: Undergraduate
Result Type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 25115 Economics for Business
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Handbook description
This subject aims to: develop basic concepts used by economists to describe and analyse the workings of the Australian labour market and Australian industry in a global context; develop an appreciation of the effects of international structures on the operation of labour markets; describe the manner in which the Australian labour market is performing, and the role of government policy in influencing this performance; examine recent changes in the international and Australian economies and the impact of these changes on industry and job structures; and to look at key current labour market and industry issues and policy debates.
Subject objectives/outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
- better appreciate and understand the importance of global and national economic, social and political forces that are shaping the Australian economy and industry
- understand the changes to the Australian labour market and critically evaluate the national labour market policy responses to globalisation in Australia
- develop an appreciation of the way that new immigration patterns are impacting on Australia and the global economy
- be able to evaluate how general industry and labour trends nationally and internationally impact on specific industries and markets in Australia.
Contribution to graduate profile
This subject provides a more advanced treatment of areas dealt with at a foundational level in Economics for Business. Students will develop an understanding of Australian labour markets, the structure of Australian industry and the forces shaping these aspects of the Australian economy. Such an understanding will enhance the ability of graduates to advise business, and organisations dealing with business, and to make strategic and well formulated contributions to the decision making processes of these institutions.
Teaching and learning strategies
This course will be taught in a highly interactive mode which revolves around a lecture-seminar format. The lecture materials cover the theoretical framework and policy debates. The seminar permits current international events to be studied in detail. Seminar papers written by students will be discussed and analysed in class. This helps develop students' understanding of the course material and their ability to debate these issues.
Content
- The nature of globalisation and its implications for the Australian labour market and industry
- Theoretical underpinnings of industry and labour economics and their policy implications
- Interaction between global capital flows and Australian labour and industry
- Contemporary debates and issues in labour and industry economics.
Assessment
Assessment item 1: Research Essay (Group)
| Objective(s): | 1-4 |
| Weighting: | 30% |
| Task: | The research essay permits students to explore a recent comparative labour and industry topic. They will be required to apply the theory relating to industry and labour economics to a specific contemporary comparative study of globalisation. This assesses objectives 1-4. |
Assessment item 2: Assignment (Individual)
| Objective(s): | 4 |
| Weighting: | 20% |
| Task: | The seminar presentation emphasises current labour and industry issues in the Australian and international economy. This assesses objective 4 in particular. |
Assessment item 3: Final Examination (Individual)
| Objective(s): | 1-4 |
| Weighting: | 50% |
| Task: | The examination assures objectives 1-4. Students will be tested on their understanding and appreciation of the key principles in industry and labour economics. They are required to demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate the national industry and labour market policy responses to globalisation. |
Required text(s)
Joseph Stiglitz (2006) Making Globalisation Work, Allen and Lane, New York
Castles, S. and Miller, M. (2009) The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World, Macmillan, London, 4th edn: Revised and Updated. (This book also has a website.)
Indicative references
Collins, J. 1991, Migrant Hands in a Distant Land: Australia's Post-war Immigration, 2nd edn, Pluto Press, Sydney and London.
Philippe Legrain (2006) Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them, Little, Brown London.
Bryant, D and Rafferty, M. 1999, The Global Economy in Australia, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards.
Meredith, David and Dyster, Barrie (1999) Australia in the Global Economy, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK.
S Castles, W Foster, R. Iredale and G Withers, Immigration and Australia: Myths and Realities, Allen & Unwin, St. Leonards, 1998.
Held, David, McGrew, Anthony, Goldblatt, David and Perraton, Jonathan (eds) (1999) Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture, Polity Press, Cambridge UK.
Wiseman, John (1998) Global Nation? Australia and the Politics of Globalisation, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK.
Since this subject requires students to prepare a written assignment it is important to consult the Faculty of Business (1999), Guide to Writing Assignments (available from the Coop Bookshop). This explains what is expected when writing assignments.
