ECX5400 Design and evaluation of economic, public, and social programs
Faculty of Business and Economics
ECX5400 Design and evaluation of economic, public, and social programs is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ECF1100, ECF5927, ECC1000, ECX5953, ECB1101 or ECW1101.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECX5400
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ECX5400
No unit lists ECX5400 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Overview
This unit provides an introduction to evidence-based methods for analysing a range of challenging social and economic problems that society is faced with. The key emphasis is on the applications of econometric methods to microeconomic and experimental data for a range of policy-relevant issues. You will learn to apply economic theories as well as evidence gained from randomised controlled experiments and natural experiments to analyse problems concerning discrimination, education, health, and immigration. You will also learn techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of policies and programs designed to address these problems.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Blended |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test5%
- Exercise25%
- Written20%
- Examination50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
identify and describe the way in which economists apply microeconomic theories and concepts to analyse various economic and social problems
- 2
identify and describe the way in which economists evaluate theories and policies
- 3
apply empirical methods to test the predictions of economic theories and evaluate the effectiveness of economic, public, and social programs
- 4
critically evaluate and effectively communicate current debates on policy-relevant issues
- 5
demonstrate the ability to evaluate the contributions and limitations of economic analysis for understanding and informing policy options.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Where it fits
ECX5400 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Rigissa Megalokonomou
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECX5400?
You need ECF1100, ECF5927, ECC1000, ECX5953, ECB1101 or ECW1101 before you enrol.
When is ECX5400 offered?
In 2026, ECX5400 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is ECX5400?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECX5400 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECX5400?
ECX5400 is part of Business economics; and Economics and health.