Students
ECON3036 – Economic Development
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Alexander Blair
Contact via Email
4EAR 450
Consultation hours TBA
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including ((ECON110 or ECON111 or ECON1020) and 20cp at 2000 level or above)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to the theory and practice of development economics. It develops a critical understanding of the problems facing underdeveloped and developing countries. It provides an in-depth analysis of the different explanations and measures that may be taken to foster economic development. An integral component of the unit is discussion of the most recent research by economists who work in the field, testing and devising cheap and feasible policy solutions to improve outcomes for the global poor. The unit investigates and evaluates the effectiveness of existing policy measures. Students will develop skills in writing and oral communication. |
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 how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
- ULO3: Critically evaluate theory and policy designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid session online test | 25% | No | Week 6 |
| Written Analysis | 20% | No | Week 7 |
| Individual Presentation | 15% | No | Week 12 |
| Final examination online | 40% | No | See University Exam Timetable |
Mid session online test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 25%
A 90-minute online open book Mid-Session Test will assess content and application.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and describe theories of economic development.
- Analyse and explain how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
Written Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%
A 2,000 word written assessment on concepts and issues in economic development.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and explain how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
- Critically evaluate theory and policy designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
Individual Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 15%
Students will work remotely in groups based on their selected Written Analysis topic. They will then prepare a presentation of their topic for face-to-face or remote delivery in tutorial, to be assessed on the quality of the content and the skill with which it is presented. Whilst the mark each students receives will be for their individual presentation, teamwork, collaboration and coordination skills will also be required and assessed during the presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and explain how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
- Critically evaluate theory and policy designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
Final examination online
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: See University Exam Timetable
Weighting: 40%
An online open-book exam of 2 hours duration plus 10 minutes reading time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and describe theories of economic development.
- Analyse and explain how economic agents, including the poor, make economic decisions and the consequences of those 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
Classes
- This unit provides the equivalent of 3 hours face-to-face teaching per week, generally allocated to consist of 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial, Note that given current special circumstances and health guidelines, lectures will be delivered online via iLearn, and it is likely (to be confirmed early in Session) that tutorials also will be online via Zoom. Note also that this teaching pattern will vary in certain weeks, for example for purposes of the Mid-Session Class Test which will be held in the lecture time.
Class times and other information can be found via the link below. It will be possible to attempt changes to your timetable in the first two weeks of Session, though the class of your choice may not be available if it is fully enrolled.
http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/timetables
Recommended Texts and/or Materials
The core reading for the unit will comprise academic journal articles, available online via the University Library using your student credentials. For some topics the lectures will be supplemented with handouts on specific issues, available via iLearn. Information on core readings will be available via iLearn and you will be shown how to make use of the resources available via the University Library. For most purposes, the lectures and tutorial readings will cover most of what is needed for the Unit.
Technology Used and Required
Unit Web Page
Lecture and tutorial material as well as up to date information concerning any aspect of the unit, including any changes to the schedule, will be available to students by logging on to iLearn at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. Powerpoint or other presentation software is required for the Mid-Session Test and Final Exam, and is useful though not essential for the Class Presentation exercise. MS Word or compatible software is necessary for the Written Analysis. Note that it will be necessary to submit certain assessment responses, such as the Written Analysis, for checking with Turnitin software, via a link on the iLearn website.
Core knowledge as an essential outcome of the Unit
This is a Unit in economics, theory and applied, and there is a core of essential knowledge relevant to economic theory and practice that the student must have absorbed at the completion of the Unit. This essential knowledge has been carefully chosen and is not excessive, and can be readily mastered in the time available to the student, but a Pass in the Unit will not be possible without it. This core knowledge will be listed in Guides, for example to the Mid-Session Test and the Final Exam, so that there will be no doubt as to the core knowledge that the student needs to acquire. The Presentation and Essay are exercises designed to add to and hone the students' skillsets, but they will also assist in mastering the relevant material. Examples of the type of material that will be covered, and the means with which it will be assessed, will be discussed in the first lecture as well as subsequent Guides.
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
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management 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
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 2021.03 of the Handbook