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Economics of Ageing (POPH90258)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
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The subject examines the influence of private and public/government decision-making on the economic well-being of older people. These decisions include private decisions to prepare for old-age and to live through old-age by saving and managing assets such as housing, superannuation, annuities and other assets and government decisions to provide income support, health care and regulations that aim to protect old people. The influence of behavioural biases, as uncovered by behavioural economics, will be discussed. The subject also covers how an ageing population exerts upward pressure on the taxation required to finance government activities and services for the aged and how this may affect the ‘social contract’, in which the young assist the old in expectation of assistance when they are old from succeeding generations.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Analyse how people can make rational decisions to prepare for and live through old age/retirement.
- Critically evaluate government policies that address the economic implications of population ageing, including health, disability, housing and employment.
- Recognise and assess the impact of the prospective fiscal pressure from an ageing population on the future of the welfare state.
- Develop an evidence-based argument outlining a set of recommendations for an economic policy.
Generic skills
Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice and reinforce:
- Develop comparative policy analysis and research skills.
- High level written communication skills.
- Create and advance persuasive arguments on a given topic.
- Demonstrate problem solving skills.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Weekly contributions to Online Discussions | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Four online Quizzes each worth 5% at approximately two-week intervals | During the teaching period | 20% |
An assignment that involves collecting information and performing critical analysis to support an evidence-based argument
| Due Mid Term | 20% |
A final open-book examination | End of the teaching period | 50% |
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Health Course Specialist Certificate in Gerontology Course Master of Ageing Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Rehabilitation Science Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Graduate Certificate in Ageing Course Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Course Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation Science Informal specialisation Evaluation and Implementation Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 12 November 2022