Students

ECON853 – Economics of Public Issues

2014 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Dr. Alison Vicary
alison.vicary@mq.edu.au
Contact via alison.vicary@mq.edu.au (or via ilearn)
E4A 437
Available on iLearn
Lecturer
Professor David Throsby
david.throsby@mq.edu.au
Contact via david.throsby@mq.edu.au
E4A438
Available on ilearn
Lecturer
Assoc. Professor Sean Turnell
sean.turnell@mq.edu.au
Contact via sean.turnell@mq.edu.au
E4A426
Available on ilearn
Michael Dobbie
michael.dobbie@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ECON632 or admission to MActPrac or MCom or MEc or MIntBus prior to 2011 or admission to MAppAnth or PGDipAppAnth or MDevCult or PGDipDevCult or MPP or MPASR or PGDipPASR or PGCertPASR
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit covers selected topic areas with an emphasis on the application of economic theory and research methods to particular public issues, including education, environment, energy policy, tourism, defence, housing, drugs, privatisation, transport, and the arts.

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:

  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
1. Mid Session Test 40% Week 7: 17 September 6.05 pm
2. Assignment 20% Week 8 (End): 12 October 11pm
3. Final Examination 40% Examination Period

1. Mid Session Test

Due: Week 7: 17 September 6.05 pm
Weighting: 40%

The test will be two hours long.  You will be provided with a list of questions to be answered in the exam a week prior to the examination.  Your answers must be in essay style format. Failure to sit for the test will result in a mark of zero.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

2. Assignment

Due: Week 8 (End): 12 October 11pm
Weighting: 20%

The assignment should be approximately 2,000 words long.  The assignment questions will be posted on the iLearn site for ECON853.

All assignments must be submitted electronically via turnitin.   Turnitin can be accessed on the iLearn site for ECON853.  Do not submit a hard copy of the assignment. 

No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of zero.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

3. Final Examination

Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

The exam will be two hours long.  You will be provided with a list of questions a week prior to the examination.  The questions will be in essay style format.  The examination will be held during the official examination period. Failure to sit the exam will result in a mark of zero.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

Delivery and Resources

Classes

  • It is very much in your own interests to attend all lecture sessions in this unit. The nature of the unit is such that the material covered cannot be adequately comprehended simply by reading the references set. Attending to the lecturers’ syntheses of the material and participating in class discussion are important components of the learning process.

  • Sessions will begin promptly at 6.05pm. Generally each session will comprise a mixture of lecture time, progress reviews and class discussion. There will be ample scope for student questions, participation and interaction.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

There is no set text for this unit. Readings for each topic are given in the detailed topic outlines.

Technology Used and Required

ilearn is an online program available at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ through which students will be able to access resources to assist them throughout the semester. You should regularly visit the website and use it as a resource centre to assist with your learning.

 

 

Unit Schedule

Lectures are held every Wednesday between 6-9 pm in room E5A120.

The outline of lecture topics will be placed on the ilearn site for ECON853. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Mid Session Test
  • 2. Assignment
  • 3. Final Examination

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Mid Session Test
  • 2. Assignment
  • 3. Final Examination

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify, recognise and apply micro-economic theory to public policy issues
  • Understand the incentives that govern the decisions of individuals in an array of organisational structures and their relationship to public policy
  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

Assessment tasks

  • 1. Mid Session Test
  • 2. Assignment
  • 3. Final Examination

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Apply literature-review and data-gathering skills to the analysis of a particular problem in public policy

Assessment task

  • 2. Assignment