Students
ECON356 – Evolution of Economic Ideas
2017 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor, Lecturer, Tutor
Wylie Bradford
Contact via wylie.bradford@mq.edu.au
E4A 425
TBA
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ECON110 and ECON111 and (6cp in Commerce designated units at 200 level)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Why is economics the way it is? How are modern approaches to analysis related to past contributions? Has there been progress in economics, and how would we know? What is the place of the history of economic thought in the history of ideas more generally? The answer to these and many other fascinating questions are the focus of this unit. The history of economic thought is considered from a non-standard but enlightening perspective: rather than trace through the chronology of authors and schools we examine the evolution of theories and theoretical ideas from their origins (which in some cases stretch back to Greek philosophy) right through to their modern forms. This puts the economics you have already learned into context and allows for a greater appreciation of the historical, social and philosophical influences on the development of economic thought. Examples of the areas covered include the theory of value, the theory of distribution, the theory of growth, and the theory of cycles and fluctuations.
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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 the distinguishing characteristics of key schools of thought and stages in the development of economic theory.
- Exhibit cognisance of how the major theoretical approaches to the analysis of economic issues, the assumptions on which they are based, and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters are related to the history of economics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the important individual contributors to the development of economics and the nature of their key contributions.
- Acquire the ability to interpret economic reasoning as presented in varying literary forms at different points in time.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
General Assessment Information
As the timing assessment submission is largely chosen by students, no extensions will be granted.
Students who have not submitted work prior to a stated deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task.
Accommodation will be made for grading purposes where an application under the Disruptions to Study Policy has been approved.
Specific details relating to assessment tasks will be made available via iLearn and discussed in tutorial meetings in Week 2.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial Assignment | 35% | No | Student determined |
| Graded discussions | 25% | No | Weeks 7,13 |
| Personal Reflective Blog | 40% | No | Weeks 3,5,7,9,11,13 |
Tutorial Assignment
Due: Student determined
Weighting: 35%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the important individual contributors to the development of economics and the nature of their key contributions.
- Acquire the ability to interpret economic reasoning as presented in varying literary forms at different points in time.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
Graded discussions
Due: Weeks 7,13
Weighting: 25%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the distinguishing characteristics of key schools of thought and stages in the development of economic theory.
- Exhibit cognisance of how the major theoretical approaches to the analysis of economic issues, the assumptions on which they are based, and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters are related to the history of economics.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
Personal Reflective Blog
Due: Weeks 3,5,7,9,11,13
Weighting: 40%
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the distinguishing characteristics of key schools of thought and stages in the development of economic theory.
- Exhibit cognisance of how the major theoretical approaches to the analysis of economic issues, the assumptions on which they are based, and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters are related to the history of economics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the important individual contributors to the development of economics and the nature of their key contributions.
- Acquire the ability to interpret economic reasoning as presented in varying literary forms at different points in time.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
Delivery and Resources
Classes
- 3 hours face-to-face teaching per week consisting of 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial (N.B there are no tutorial classes in Week 1)
- The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
There is no set text for this unit. A guide to available resources is provided on iLearn.
Technology Used and Required
• Standard teaching technology (Powerpoint, Lecterns etc).
• Technology requirements: standard (i.e. computer access for submission of assessments and use of iLearn).
Unit Web Page
Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn)
Learning and Teaching Activities
Lectures cover the basic content of the unit. They do not, however, cover the entire content, which must be made up with extra reading and tutorial work. Tutorials consist of student presentations and class discussion.
Students are expected not only to attend classes, but to prepare for them in advance (it helps to know what the class is about!). You are encouraged to ask questions in lectures. You are expected to ask questions in tutorials.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Lecture |
Tutorial |
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1 |
Introduction – History of Economic Thought: What, Why, How? |
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2 |
Theory of Value I (Origins, Ancient & Medieval, Pre-Classical) |
Intro/admin |
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3 |
Theory of Value II (Classical) |
Aristotle |
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4 |
Theory of Value III (Classical, Neoclassical) |
Aquinas |
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5 |
Theory Of Value IV (Neoclassical, Modern) |
Petty |
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6 |
Distribution Theory (Origins, Pre-Classical) |
Cantillon |
| 7 |
Good Friday Public Holiday - Alternative delivery will be arranged |
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Mid-session recess | |
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8 |
Distribution Theory (Neoclassical, Modern) |
Ricardo |
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9 |
Growth Theory (Origins, Pre-Classical) |
Marx |
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10 |
Growth Theory (Classical) |
Marshall |
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11 |
Growth Theory (Neoclassical, Modern)/Fluctuations and Cycles (Origins) |
Walras |
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12 |
Fluctuations and Cycles (Classical, Crisis Theories, Neoclassical) |
Keynes |
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13 |
Fluctuations and Cycles (Modern) |
Hicks |
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_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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.
Academic Honesty
The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
- all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
- all academic collaborations are acknowledged
- academic work is not falsified in any way
- when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.
Further information on the academic honesty can be found in the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Grades
Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:
- HD - High Distinction
- D - Distinction
- CR - Credit
- P - Pass
- F - Fail
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy which is available at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grading Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing
If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.
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://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.
Graduate Capabilities
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the distinguishing characteristics of key schools of thought and stages in the development of economic theory.
- Exhibit cognisance of how the major theoretical approaches to the analysis of economic issues, the assumptions on which they are based, and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters are related to the history of economics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the important individual contributors to the development of economics and the nature of their key contributions.
- Acquire the ability to interpret economic reasoning as presented in varying literary forms at different points in time.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Assignment
- Graded discussions
- Personal Reflective Blog
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify the distinguishing characteristics of key schools of thought and stages in the development of economic theory.
- Exhibit cognisance of how the major theoretical approaches to the analysis of economic issues, the assumptions on which they are based, and their implications regarding the effects of changes in key parameters are related to the history of economics.
- Acquire the ability to interpret economic reasoning as presented in varying literary forms at different points in time.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Assignment
- Graded discussions
- Personal Reflective Blog
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Acquire the ability to interpret economic reasoning as presented in varying literary forms at different points in time.
- Evince a capacity to critically assess and compare current and historical approaches to economics.
Assessment task
- Tutorial Assignment
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Demonstrate knowledge of the important individual contributors to the development of economics and the nature of their key contributions.
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Assignment
- Graded discussions
- Personal Reflective Blog
Changes from Previous Offering
In line with student feedback about assessment quantity, one graded discussion has been dropped. The weighting on the discussions has been decreased by 5%, and the weighting on tutorials increased by 5%, accordingly.
Requirements for successful unit completion
In order to meet the Learning Outcomes as required by the Grading Policy, it is necessary for a passing grade in ECON356 that you:
- score at least 40% of the combined available marks for the Tutorial Assignments and the Graded Discussions (i.e. at least 24/60);
- score at least 40% of the combined available marks for the Tutorial Assignments and the Personal Reflective Blog (i.e. at least 30/75);
- score at least 40% of the combined available marks for the Graded Discussions and the Personal Reflective Blog (i.e. at least 26/65).
The rationale for these rules is that there is a minimum level of general performance required if a student is to be held to have achieved the Learning Outcomes, and this precludes doing extremely poorly in one of the assessment tasks. Some degree of 'catch up' is permissible, but this must limited to maintain the integrity of the grading process.