Students
ECON3036 – Economic Development
2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lisa Magnani
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ECON2003 or ECON203
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an understanding of the theory and practice of development economics, and takes an in-depth analysis of the different explanations and ways to foster economic development. The unit focuses on understanding economic developments, labour markets in low and middle-income countries, the global mode of production and understanding the role of institutions in a country’s development path. The unit builds students’ skills in evaluating the effectiveness of these and other existing policy measures. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify and describe theories of economic development.
- ULO2: Analyse and explain individually and as a group how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
- ULO3: Critically evaluate theory and evidence-based policy designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
General Assessment Information
Please be reminded that final Exams for ECON are now ON CAMPUS for virtually all units that use them; required on campus attendance for the final exam includes students enrolled in an online delivery format.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final exam | 50% | No | University Exam Period |
| Mid-session online test | 25% | No | W8, Tuesday April 9, during class time |
| Presentation of group work | 25% | No | Presentations from W3 to W13, submission in W13 |
Final exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
A two-hour exam will be held during the end of session formal exam period, and will consist of short and longer essay essay questions through which students demonstrate their ability to apply their understanding of economic development for the solution of policy challenges.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and explain individually and as a group how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
- Critically evaluate theory and evidence-based policy designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
Mid-session online test
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: W8, Tuesday April 9, during class time
Weighting: 25%
A 90-minute Mid-Session Test will comprise short and long essay questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and describe theories of economic development.
- Analyse and explain individually and as a group how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
Presentation of group work
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Presentations from W3 to W13, submission in W13
Weighting: 25%
Students will work in teams to deliver group presentations and submissions on policy aspects related to a set of weekly topics on key aspects of the weekly material. In class presentations before the submission deadline will be organized to allow for feedback to drafts of the group work.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and explain individually and as a group how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
- Critically evaluate theory and evidence-based policy designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit involves a one-hour weekly recorded lecture (recording available on iLearn) and a two-hour weekly face-to-face seminar. The seminar meetings are compulsory. Weekly lectures are on Tuesday 2-4pm, in the Central Coutyard, room 210.
Copies of lecture notes will be posted in iLearn with the list of weekly readings and discussion questions for group activities.
Unit Schedule
ECON3036 is organized in three parts. Part 1 deals with the foundations of real-world development challenges. The specific topics in this part are:
W1: What is development?
W2: Growth, income distribution and poverty
W3: Theories of economic development
W4: Economic growth, population and the natural environment
W5: Development in the global context
Part 2 discusses key social aspects of economic development focusing on the labour markets. The topics are:
W6: Labour markets in the context of development
W7: Segmented labour markets
Please note that in Week 8 we will hold a midterm exam during lecture time. The exam will focus on W1-W6 material included.
From April 15 to April 29 recess takes place and there are no lectures. Lectures resume in W9 (April 29 2024).
W9: The informal sector
W10: Technology change as a driver of development
W11: Technology change and the labour markets
Part 3 returns to the above topics to discuss economic policy for development. The topics are:
W12: Labour standards
W13: Policy challenges
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook