ECON1040: Principles of Economics
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Unit of study_

ECON1040: Principles of Economics

2025 unit information

This unit of study is designed for students who have an interest in economics and its application to critical issues in everyday life. Students will gain an understanding of how the economy works; how individuals, firms and governments form and shape their decisions using economic principles; and the role of public policy on outcomes including the trade-offs faced in making policy decisions. Students will develop skills to critically analyse real-world issues using the perspective of an economist, and communicate ideas and arguments about economics in a logical, coherent and evidence-based manner.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Arts and Social Sciences

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
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AGEC1006 or ECON1001 or BUSS1040
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate understanding of how aggregate supply and demand result from individual and firm decisions
  • LO2. describe the fundamental types of market structures and competition
  • LO3. demonstrate understanding of market failures and the roles of government in markets
  • LO4. explain how prices and quantities are determined in a market, leading to resource allocation in the economy
  • LO5. critically evaluate the assumptions and limitations of economic theories in the unit
  • LO6. describe the meaning and measurement of macroeconomic aggregates such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment
  • LO7. explain the concept of a business cycle and how stabilisation policies affect economic outcomes.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.