Study Australia - Australia in a Global Economy

  Australia

• Sydney: 
Sydney
• Brisbane: 
Brisbane
• New South Wales: 
Blue Mountains,  Coffs Harbour
• Queensland: 
Cairns

Term: Winter 
Dates: January 2-27 2009

Description: The purpose of this course is to help students understand the development and performance of the Australian economy in a world undergoing rapid globalization. As a western, English-speaking, trade-dependent country located near Southeast Asia, Australia provides a unique yet inviting perspective for this study. An integrated set of course readings, guest lectures, and visits to sites of policy making and production will facilitate this understanding.

Highlights: Our travels will be primarily in and around Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), The Blue Mountains (NSW), The Hunter Valley (NSW), Coffs Harbour (NSW), Brisbane, Queensland (QLD) and Cairns (QLD). In Sydney, the focus will be on understanding the economic history of Australia, its macroeconomic conditions and policies, as well as Australia's place in the global economy. Guest lecturers from faculty at the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, as well as a visit to Taronga Zoo, and a guided tour of the Sydney Maritime Museum aid our understanding of Australian history and the ecological effects of globalization. We bring to life US-Australia relations and macroeconomic policymaking with visits to the US Consulate and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

When we move through the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley, and on to Brisbane our focus becomes more microeconomic in nature. As we travel north towards the coast, we examine the ways in which the fishing, agriculture, education, tourism, and wine making industries have adapted to changes in the global economy. Highlights of this portion of the course include touring the world famous Blue Mountains, (one of 16 Australian sites designated by the United Nations as World Heritage listing); The Hunter Valley, home to several world class wineries; Coffs Harbour, a tourism/adventure hub of the region; Brisbane, where we consider the impact of mining on the Australian economy, as well as exploring issues related to the indigenous Australians. The seminar then moves to the north Queensland city of Cairns, home to the Great Barrier Reef. Here we talk more about the environmental implications of globalization and climate change.

Course size is restricted to thirty students allowing greater student participation and a more hands-on approach to learning. Teaching will be done by Dr. Reynold F Nesiba, Associate Professor of Economics at Augustana College and Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson, Assistant Professor of History at Augustana College. In addition, there will be other Study Australia students participating in other winter courses. Most will be following similar itineraries, thus allowing for participants to meet and interact with other students.

Students will be accommodated in fully furnished apartments while in Sydney. They are ideally situated for easy access to Bondi Beach (5-10 minute bus ride) and the city center. The units also come with cable television, air-conditioning, internal laundry with washer and dryer, land line phone service, weekly cleaning service, linens, towels, on-site building management, 24-hour security access, and enclosed balconies with city or harbor views. The complex also has a lap pool, exercise room, spa, basketball courts, sauna, virtual golf center, and tennis courts.

Cost in US$: $4,030

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Australia Independently Or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Each year Study Australia awards thousands of dollars to qualified program participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Transcript

Year Founded: 1995