Students

ECON2044 – Labour Markets and Inequality

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
David Orsmond
david.orsmond@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp at 1000 level or above including ECON111 or ECON1020
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This is a unit in the economics of the labour market. It deals with some of the most fascinating, important and vexed questions in economics. It aims to provide a thorough understanding of what determines the ability of firms and economies to create jobs and remunerate their workers. The unit will address issues of wage stagnation, wage inequality and unemployment, as well as issues such as training, wage growth and returns to skills. By answering these questions, you will be equipped to understand the dynamics of inequality both in Australia as well as globally. Importantly, policy can do a great deal to ameliorate workers’ opportunities in the labour markets and to satisfy business needs for workers, skills and expertise. The unit will focus on the most important policies and their effectiveness in boosting labour market opportunities and reducing inequality.

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: Demonstrate a solid understanding of labour market theory.
  • ULO2: Recognise how labour market theory aids decision-making by individuals, business and government.
  • ULO3: Communicate effectively on labour market and inequality issues.
  • ULO4: Identify key concepts and causes of inequality.

General Assessment Information

Late submissions of assessments

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, no extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available assessment-task marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24-hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. Late submissions will only be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time.

No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g., quizzes, online tests.

Table 1: Penalty calculation based on submission time

Submission time after the due date (including weekends)

Penalty (% of available assessment task mark)

Example: for a non-timed assessment task marked out of 30

<24 hours

10%

10% x 30 marks = 3-mark deduction

24-48 hours

20%

20% x 30 marks = 6-mark deduction

48-72 hours

30%

30% x 30 marks = 9-mark deduction

72 – 96 hours

40%

40% x 30 marks = 12-mark deduction

>96 hours

100%

Assignment won’t be accepted

 

Special Consideration

To request an extension on the due date/time for a timed or non-timed assessment task, you must submit a Special Consideration application. An application for Special Consideration does not guarantee approval.

The approved extension date for a student becomes the new due date for that student. The late submission penalties above then apply as of the new due date.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Team-Based Learning Assessment 20% No Weeks 4-5 and weeks 10-11
Final exam online 40% No Exam Week
Essay 20% No 6pm Friday 29 April (week 8)
Weekly tutorial activities 20% No Weekly

Team-Based Learning Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 4-5 and weeks 10-11
Weighting: 20%

 

The TBL assessment includes an individual quiz-based (10% assessment weightage) and a group project component (10% assessment weightage). There are two TBL modules in this unit, each spanning a period of two weeks during which students take quizzes before and after a group discussion and complete a group project.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of labour market theory.
  • Recognise how labour market theory aids decision-making by individuals, business and government.
  • Communicate effectively on labour market and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality.

Final exam online

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam Week
Weighting: 40%

 

A two-hour open book exam will be held during the end of session formal exam period, and will consist of essay style questions.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of labour market theory.
  • Recognise how labour market theory aids decision-making by individuals, business and government.
  • Communicate effectively on labour market and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 6pm Friday 29 April (week 8)
Weighting: 20%

 

The 1,500 word essay is designed to develop your understanding of the different ways in which labour market policies and practices affect the economy.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of labour market theory.
  • Recognise how labour market theory aids decision-making by individuals, business and government.
  • Communicate effectively on labour market and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality.

Weekly tutorial activities

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%

 

Tutorial and Discussion Forum questions will typically be based on previous lectures and associated readings and will attempt to reinforce that material as well as set students up to better understand the material on which it will build in subsequent lectures.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of labour market theory.
  • Recognise how labour market theory aids decision-making by individuals, business and government.
  • Communicate effectively on labour market and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality.

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

Subject to developments in covid-19 and related official announcements, the delivery of this unit is fully in-person at the North Ryde campus. Students attend a one hour tutorial face-to-face followed immediately by a two-hour lecture face-to-face.

Note: the intended delivery mode may need to change after the start of the session due to the evolving covid situation and students need to ensure they keep up with iLearn Announcements made during the session accordingly.

Textbook: Kaufman and Hotchkiss (2006, 7th Ed), The Economics of Labor Markets, available to students through Leganto (accessed via the iLearn site).

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2022.03 of the Handbook