Students

SOCI3080 – Economic Futures: Work, Inequality and Power

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ben Spies-Butcher
ben.spies-butcher@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Our economy is changing. New technology, social norms and politics are reshaping who does what, and who gets what. In this unit we look at what has changed, and what will change. Why is work becoming less secure, housing more expensive and inequality growing? How are the choices of national governments shaped by broader global forces? We examine the big trends driving change, for example, the rise of service employment and automation, the introduction of competition in public services and distrust in formal politics. Not only will we explore what is driving inequality and insecurity, we also ask how we can respond - as (future) workers, governments and citizens.

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: describe a number of theoretical approaches to the relationship between the economy, policy and society
  • ULO2: assess the suitability of different theoretical approaches to different kinds of social and policy problems
  • ULO3: analyse how policy development is influenced by macro economic and political forces
  • ULO4: apply ideas from political economy and political sociology to recent developments in the global economy and in the development of social policy
  • ULO5: demonstrate an ability to appreciate ethical dimensions of challenges confronting contemporary societies and be able to reflect strategically on how these can be addressed
  • ULO6: work in teams to construct a collective understanding of social issues and promote collaboration
  • ULO7: understand how the structure of the economy is shaped by civil society and collective social action

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Short paper 20% No Friday Week 4
Issue/policy analysis 40% No Friday Week 13
Run a seminar/online discussion 30% No Weeks 7-12
Seminar/online forum engagement 10% No Ongoing

Short paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Friday Week 4
Weighting: 20%

 

Analysis of key paper and idea.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe a number of theoretical approaches to the relationship between the economy, policy and society
  • apply ideas from political economy and political sociology to recent developments in the global economy and in the development of social policy
  • understand how the structure of the economy is shaped by civil society and collective social action

Issue/policy analysis

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Friday Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Analysis of a significant social, political and economic change.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe a number of theoretical approaches to the relationship between the economy, policy and society
  • assess the suitability of different theoretical approaches to different kinds of social and policy problems
  • analyse how policy development is influenced by macro economic and political forces
  • apply ideas from political economy and political sociology to recent developments in the global economy and in the development of social policy
  • understand how the structure of the economy is shaped by civil society and collective social action

Run a seminar/online discussion

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Weeks 7-12
Weighting: 30%

 

In most weeks, student groups will run part of the seminar/online discussion. The presentations will have similar structures in class and online. In class the group will be responsible for running the class, providing input (e.g. a short presentation or media clip) and running activities. Online groups will be responsible for weekly forums, including posting stimulus material and structuring student engagement. The group is collectively responsible for developing the material, usually this would involve individual members playing different roles, some of which may not involve running live sessions.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe a number of theoretical approaches to the relationship between the economy, policy and society
  • assess the suitability of different theoretical approaches to different kinds of social and policy problems
  • analyse how policy development is influenced by macro economic and political forces
  • apply ideas from political economy and political sociology to recent developments in the global economy and in the development of social policy
  • demonstrate an ability to appreciate ethical dimensions of challenges confronting contemporary societies and be able to reflect strategically on how these can be addressed
  • work in teams to construct a collective understanding of social issues and promote collaboration

Seminar/online forum engagement

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

 

Active participation in seminars and activities run by student group facilitators. This will involve posting on discussion forums run by other student presenters and engaging with arguments and concepts developed in the forums.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe a number of theoretical approaches to the relationship between the economy, policy and society
  • assess the suitability of different theoretical approaches to different kinds of social and policy problems
  • analyse how policy development is influenced by macro economic and political forces
  • apply ideas from political economy and political sociology to recent developments in the global economy and in the development of social policy
  • demonstrate an ability to appreciate ethical dimensions of challenges confronting contemporary societies and be able to reflect strategically on how these can be addressed
  • understand how the structure of the economy is shaped by civil society and collective social action

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

This year the on campus class will run as a 2 hour seminar. Online class will be run through discussion boards. Recorded lectures will be available for all students.

All readings are available through Leganto.

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.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. 

 This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

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 2023.03 of the Handbook