This course examines the economic principles that determine the allocation of resources through time in market economies, with an emphasis on context setting through real-world issues at the intersections of economics, finance, and political science. Topics are introduced via these disciplinary boundaries to highlight diverse perspectives and stakeholder dynamics. It uses supply and demand relationships to value capital assets (or projects more generally). There is a detailed treatment of the effects of risk on capital asset prices. The impact of liquidity on our understanding of financial economics will also be discussed.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Define the classical finance model that underpins modern finance, while integrating pluralistic perspectives from diverse disciplines and stakeholders to contextualise its assumptions and limitations.
- Apply economic concepts to solve for choices made by consumers and asset holders in dynamic environments, emphasising adaptive responses to economic changes and uncertainties.
- Assess the economic efficiency of market outcomes for different market structures, in the presence of market frictions and/or government intervention, with a focus on change-oriented strategies for improving outcomes amid evolving conditions.
- Compare and contrast the information needed for markets to price different types of assets effectively, drawing on pluralistic viewpoints from interdisciplinary sources to evaluate information asymmetries and stakeholder influences.
- Demonstrate integrative skills by collaborating with peers from varied backgrounds to analyse and propose solutions to complex financial and economic problems.
Other Information
Indicative Assessment
- Assessment will consist of a Final Exam, mid-semester exam(s) and in-class quizzes, or some combination thereof. See Class Summary for details. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Group work, team-based activities. Groupwork assessment will be compulsory. The weighting percentage will be published in the class summary. (0) [LO 5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours in total over the semester consisting of lectures, tutorials/workshops and private study time.
Inherent Requirements
This course requires active participation in group work. Working in teams is an inherent requirement, as it develops essential collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills relevant to your studies as an economist.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
See Class Summary
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $5520 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9064 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |