Students

ECON853 – Economics of Public Issues

2015 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Unit Convenor
Dr Michael Dobbie
michael.dobbie@mq.edu.au
Contact via michael.dobbie@mq.edu.au
E4A416
Consultation hours: see iLearn page
Lecturer
Professor David Throsby
david.throsby@mq.edu.au
Contact via david.throsby@mq.edu.au
E4A438
Consultation hours: see ilearn page
Lecturer
Associate Professor Sean Turnell
sean.turnell@mq.edu.au
Contact via sean.turnell@mq.edu.au
E4A426
Consultation hours: see iLearn page
Lecturer
Dr Alison Vicary
alison.vicary@mq.edu.au
Contact via alison.vicary@mq.edu.au
E4A437
Consultation hours: see iLearn page
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(ECON632 or (admission to MAppAnth or MDevCult or MIB or MPPP or MPASR)) and 16cp at 800 level or above
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:

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Major Project 20% November 2 (Week 13)
Major Class Presentation 20% November 2 (week 13)
Written assignments 60% Continuous

Major Project

Due: November 2 (Week 13)
Weighting: 20%

This Major Project involves a group written report. The report will be up to 3,500 words in length and is worth 20%. 

Group work will be an important part of your experience in ECON853. In week one each student will be placed in a group. Each group will work throughout the session to produce a written 3,500 word report on a chosen topic. The report will be produced in a staged process over the course of the session with regular feedback provided by the Unit Convenor. The final report needs to be submitted in class at the start of the class on November 2. Information about this task will be presented in class one. A detailed document about this task will be available on iLearn in week one. 

The emphasis in the Major Project will be on the ability to think critically, to evaluate established knowledge, and to integrate and analyse the advanced economic ideas encountered during the degree program. This Major Project will also prompt students to consider the ethical dimensions of working as an economist.  

It is not possible to grant extensions for this task. If students encounter any problems in relation to this task they are encouraged to speak to Michael Dobbie as soon as possible.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.

Major Class Presentation

Due: November 2 (week 13)
Weighting: 20%

On November 2 (week 13) each group will make a presentation to the class that summarises the main findings from the Major Project. Each individual member of the group must contribute to the presentation and each individual will receive an individual mark for their contribution (15%). The overall quality of the group presentation will also attract a group mark worth 5%. More information about the presentation will be provided in class one. This will include instruction on how to make a good presentation. A detailed document about this task will be available on iLearn by week one. There will be a trial run for this presentation in class on October 19.

It is not possible to grant extensions for this task. If students encounter any problems in relation to this task they should contact Michael Dobbie straight away.

    

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Written assignments

Due: Continuous
Weighting: 60%

ECON853 has a reading course format. There will be six classes in which students meet with a lecturer to discuss set material and answer set questions. Students are required to prepare for each class by their own research and reading. To focus attention students are also required to submit answers to set questions ahead of each class. Suggested readings and questions are provided, via the unit iLearn page, two weeks ahead of the class in which they are to be discussed. Students are required to email their written responses by the Friday before they are due to be discussed in class. Students are required to email the answers to the lecturer running that particular class. After the class has been conducted students will have one week to rework and resubmit their answers based on feedback obtained in class. Resubmitted answers need to be emailed to the relevant lecturer by 6pm one week after the class discussion. Each student will be awarded an individual mark out of ten for each of the six assignments. Half of these marks will be for the quality of the written work, and the other half will be awarded for the quality of the contribution to class discussion. To receive any marks you need to submit your work on time AND participate in class discussion.  

No extensions can be granted in relation to this task. If students experience unavoidable disruption which prevents the completion of any of these six assignments they may make an application under the Disruption to Studies Policy (see the Policies and Procedures section below). If that application is successful an additional assessment task will be undertaken.  

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Delivery and Resources

Learning and Teaching Strategy

The unit operates with a reading course format. Students are required to research and read on the set topics. They are also required to provide written answers to set questions, ahead of the class in which those questions are discussed. Students are given the opportunity to reflect critically on their written work and resubmit that work for grading. Through this process of reading, writing, discussing, reflecting and rewriting, students will increase their capacity to integrate, synthesise and critically evaluate the ideas contained in the set topics.  

Unit Schedule

Week Topic/Lecturer Key Dates and Tasks

1 

July 27

Michael Dobbie

Introduction to ECON853

 

 Students placed into groups for group work purposes.

2

Aug 3

David Throsby

The Economics of Education. The Economics of Foreign Student Flows.

  

3

Aug 10

No class. 

  

4

Aug 17

No class 

 

 Stage One of Major Project due.

5

Aug 24

David Throsby

Environment and Sustainable Development. Climate Change

  

6

Aug 31

No class

  

7

Sep 7

David Throsby

The Creative Economy: Cultural and Creative Industries

  

Recess

Sep 14

    

Recess

Sep 21

    

8

Sep 28

 Alison Vicary. Topic TBA

  

9

Oct 5

 Public Holiday: No class this week Stage Two of Major Project due.

10

Oct 12

Sean Turnell.

Aspects of the FinTech Revolution.

  

11

Oct 19

Michael Dobbie

 Trial run for major presentation to be held in class. Feedback provided.

12

Oct 26

Alison Vicary

Topic TBA

  

13

Nov 2

ECON853 staff

 

 Major Project due in class. Major Class presentation held in class.

 

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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.

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Written assignments

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Written assignments

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

  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Major Class Presentation
  • Written assignments

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.

Assessment task

  • Major Project