Students

ECON8053 – Economics of Public Issues

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

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Research Mentor
Andrea Chareunsy
andrea.chareunsy@mq.edu.au
E4A 409
By Appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ECON632 or ECON6032 or ECON633 or ECON6033 or ECON649 or ECON6049 or ECON991 or ECON8091
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Applied Policy Analysis provides the platform for students to conduct primary and secondary research in policy analysis. The unit equips students with the capabilities of applied policy research, formal research writing, and analytical and critical thinking. Students design a research project around their refined research question that responds to an issue raised by the supervisor. The assessment design follows the progressive steps of the research project: a) literature survey of policy evaluation; b) identified data, framework and methodology; and c) findings and discussions. The final output is a research report consisting of all parts in the form of a mini thesis.

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: Research, integrate and synthesize specific knowledge and skills in order to critically reflect upon complex policy issues
  • ULO2: Professionally organize and communicate complex economic ideas and evaluations for a specific audience and purpose
  • ULO3: Critically reflect on the link between economic theories and their practical application to policy, and evaluate the economic impact of public policies on stakeholders

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Literature Survey 30% No Week 5
Policy Analysis 30% No Week 10
Final Report 40% No University Examination Period

Literature Survey

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 30%

 

The 2,500-word written report is worth 30% and will be based on a survey of methods used to evaluate a chosen public policy. The report will form Chapter 1 of the Final Report.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research, integrate and synthesize specific knowledge and skills in order to critically reflect upon complex policy issues
  • Professionally organize and communicate complex economic ideas and evaluations for a specific audience and purpose

Policy Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%

 

The 2,500-word written essay is worth 30% and will be an evaluation of a chosen public policy, through the analysis of data, framework and methods. The essay will form Chapter 2 of the Final Report.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research, integrate and synthesize specific knowledge and skills in order to critically reflect upon complex policy issues
  • Professionally organize and communicate complex economic ideas and evaluations for a specific audience and purpose

Final Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

 

The Final Report, in the format of a journal article, consists of submitted Chapters 1 and 2, with a newly written Chapter 3 (Policy Discussions) that provides the final discussion of the impact of the chosen policy on stakeholders.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research, integrate and synthesize specific knowledge and skills in order to critically reflect upon complex policy issues
  • Professionally organize and communicate complex economic ideas and evaluations for a specific audience and purpose
  • Critically reflect on the link between economic theories and their practical application to policy, and evaluate the economic impact of public policies on stakeholders

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 unit is organised as a research unit, where there are no regular lecture classes. After the Introductory Meeting in Week 1, there will be mandatory small group, participatory meetings every fortnight (on even weeks - ie Week 2, 4, so on). The meetings will focus on preparing students for the milestones of their individual mini-thesis project (ie. the assessments tasks). 

These meetings will take place on Thursdays. The meeting time, day and frequency may change from time to time (depending on the needs of the students). Please refer to the iLearn site for weekly updated meeting schedules and tasks.  

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

The 2023 offering has a redesigned curriculum, focusing on applied public policy evaluation and research training. 

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook