Students

ECON3000 – Public Economics

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Pundarik Mukhopadhaya
Lecturer
David Throsby
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including ((ECON110 or ECON111 or ECON1020) and 20cp at 2000 level or above)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit discusses the major traditional areas of taxation and public expenditure as well as emerging issues relating to public economics in a globalised world economy. Topics may include: taxation; public expenditure; public sector pricing; benefit-cost analysis; fiscal federalism; along with entirely new areas of research and inquiry that have recently emerged.

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: Examine critical issues and processes evolving in the economics of the public sector.
  • ULO2: Review changing local and global government intervention issues, structures and policies.
  • ULO3: Explain the working of the public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
  • ULO4: Analyse the requirements and roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
  • ULO5: Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions.

General Assessment Information

No extensions on within-session assessment tasks or the final examination will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the due date will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which a formal application for Special Consideration is made (via http://www.ask.mq.edu.au) and approved.

During Quiz weeks (Weeks 4, and 11), Quizzes will be released on iLearn at 9 am on Monday and will close at 5 pm the following Sunday.

The Essay will be available on iLearn in Week 3 and will be due by 3 pm on Friday of Week 8.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online assessments 30% No Week 4, Aug 22 and Week 11, Oct 24
Essay 20% No Week 8, Friday Oct 1, 2021
Final exam 50% No University time table

Online assessments

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 4, Aug 22 and Week 11, Oct 24
Weighting: 30%

 

There will be two online quizzes, each worth 15%.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the working of the public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
  • Analyse the requirements and roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
  • Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 8, Friday Oct 1, 2021
Weighting: 20%

 

The 2,500 word essay is designed to develop your understanding of the different ways in which government policies affect the economy.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine critical issues and processes evolving in the economics of the public sector.
  • Review changing local and global government intervention issues, structures and policies.
  • Explain the working of the public policy issues in the wider democratic process.

Final exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: University time table
Weighting: 50%

 

A two-hour exam will be held during the end of session formal exam period.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine critical issues and processes evolving in the economics of the public sector.
  • Review changing local and global government intervention issues, structures and policies.
  • Explain the working of the public policy issues in the wider democratic process.
  • Analyse the requirements and roles of the public sector in a decentralised market economy.
  • Evaluate the necessity and effects of government fiscal decisions.

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

Delivery and Resources

Prescribed textbook

Students are recommended to purchase the following textbook:

• Gruber, J, (2020) Public Finance and Public Policy (6th edition IE), Macmillan Higher Education.

The text is available for purchase from Booktopia/Co-op by clicking here.

Additional weekly readings and resources will be made available on the unit iLearn site during the session.

Technology used and required

The unit uses the learning management system (iLearn) that can be accessed via iLearn.mq.edu.au.

The iLearn site is also used to post important notices. You should check this regularly. The iLearn web page has the facility to allow peer to peer discussion and also allows students to put questions to the teaching staff.

Zoom will be used for all remote consultation sessions. More information about accessing your MQ student Zoom account can be found here

Learning and teaching activities

Students are expected to attend the weekly three-hour class. All classes will be delivered online.  The classes will consist of a mix of lecture material, tutorial questions and discussions (details to be provided on iLearn at the start of the Session). The lectures and discussions will be streamed live and the recorded version will be available in iLearn-ECHO360.  It is suggested that lecture slides and/or any readings be read in advance.

 

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:

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

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.


Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook