Students

ECON8057 – 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 Lecturer
Cong Wang
cong.wang@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
E4A-444
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ECON632 or ECON6032 or ECON633 or ECON6033 or ECON649 or ECON6049 or ECON991 or ECON8091 or admission to MPH or MSusDev
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is designed to give students a critical understanding of the inherent problems facing developing countries. The focus is on the research that provides insights into the constraints and decisions of the poor and the implications for practical and achievable policy interventions that improves the lives of the poor. The range of topics covered includes the poverty trap, nutrition, health, how families make decisions on issues such as fertility and gender; how the poor make decisions about education; and the general failure of the market and institutions including credit, savings and insurance markets in providing services to the poor and fostering economic development.

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: Evaluate the evidence that show how economic agents make decisions, and the impact this has on their well-being.
  • ULO2: Assess the impact on the well-being of the poor arising from the institutions that govern their lives.
  • ULO3: Appraise policy interventions designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
  • ULO4: Critically analyse the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Final Exam Online 40% No University Examination Period
Weekly Discussion 30% No Throughout the session
Research Project 30% No Monday, April 26, 2021

Final Exam Online

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

The 2-hour open book online final exam, which addresses the material discussed in the second part of the unit, will be held during the University Examination Period on iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the evidence that show how economic agents make decisions, and the impact this has on their well-being.
  • Assess the impact on the well-being of the poor arising from the institutions that govern their lives.
  • Appraise policy interventions designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
  • Critically analyse the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries.

Weekly Discussion

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Throughout the session
Weighting: 30%

Three times throughout the session, students will choose to prepare for an online discussion through the discussion forum on iLearn. Each task is worth 10% of the overall mark for the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the evidence that show how economic agents make decisions, and the impact this has on their well-being.
  • Assess the impact on the well-being of the poor arising from the institutions that govern their lives.
  • Appraise policy interventions designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
  • Critically analyse the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries.

Research Project

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Monday, April 26, 2021
Weighting: 30%

This assessment involves students undertaking an individual research project chosen from a set of topics. This mid session project consists of a 1,500-word essay (excluding tables, diagrams and reference list).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the evidence that show how economic agents make decisions, and the impact this has on their well-being.
  • Assess the impact on the well-being of the poor arising from the institutions that govern their lives.
  • Appraise policy interventions designed to improve the well-being of the poor.
  • Critically analyse the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries.

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

Lectures

There will be one three-hour session each week. Students are strongly advised to attend all lectures as important components of the course are conducted in class. 

iLearn

Up to date information concerning any aspect of the unit, including the weekly topics, readings and information about assessment tasks, will be available to students on the unit web page. In addition to attending classes, students are strongly encouraged to access the website each week.  

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 2021.03 of the Handbook