Department of Economics and Commerce

Following a report adopted by Senate on 3 December 1906, Economics was first taught as part of Commerce I in 1907. In its Report for 1906 Senate noted that: "It has been further determined to institute an evening course in Commerce, extending over a period of three years, during which the subjects of study will be Economics, Accountancy, Finance, Commercial Law, Commercial History and Geography, Banking, Insurance, Statistical Methods, Business Organisation and Enterprise, Transport, & c. Those persons who have attended the full curriculum and passed satisfactory examinations will receive a diploma in Commerce. The subject of Commerce has also been added to the list of alternative subjects, which may be selected by students proceeding to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. It is believed that these lectures on Commerce will prove of great value to persons engaged in commercial pursuits, and to members of the Public Service. The first course of lectures will commence in March, 1907."

The 1907 Calendar lists the Department of Economics and Commerce as teaching Commerce 1 in the Faculty of Arts. Lectures were held at the Law School in Phillip Street.

Arts, however was of the opinion that the Diploma in Economics and Commerce was unsuitable for inclusion in the Arts curriculum just other professional courses were. After some discussion Senate agreed on 7 December 1908 that the Department of Economics and Commerce be provisionally attached to the Faculty of Law and subsequently the Department of Economics and Commerce was annexed to the Faculty of Laws (Law Faculty Minutes 4 December 1908, Senate Minutes 7 December 1908).

The chief lecturer of the Department, Irvine, was made lecturer-in-charge.

From 1909 until 1912 the Department was attached to the Faculty of Law. By-Laws of the new Department of Economics and Commerce (Chap XVIB) came into effect January 1913 setting out a three year curriculum leading to the Degree in Economics (Bachelor in Economics, BEc). The Diploma was not withdrawn despite the introduction of the degree and it continued to attract a large number of unmatriculated students. With the introduction of the BEc the Department returned to the Faculty of Arts in 1913. In 1920, the Faculty of Economics was formed, new By-laws came into effect and the Department no longer existed.