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ECON8057 – Economic Development

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lisa Magnani
lisa.magnani@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MPH or MSusDev or MAppEc(1 year)) or ECON6032 or ECON6033 or ECON6049 or ECON8091
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 on 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.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Formal examination 40% No University Exam Period Individual No Observed
Skills development: Policy case study 20% No Sunday, 11.55pm, after the presentation in W2-W11. Individual and Group No Observed
Professional practice: Development strategy review 40% No Presentations in W3-W6, submissions by 26/04/2026, 11.55pm Individual and Group No Open AI

Formal examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.

You will participate in a 2-hour, on campus, closed-book exam held during the University Examination period.

Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips. 

Deliverable(s): Formal exam

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the evidence on 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.

Skills development: Policy case study

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Sunday, 11.55pm, after the presentation in W2-W11.
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

The purpose of this task is for students to enhance the ability to analytically and critically assess policy initiatives adopted in developing countries, and to enhance their team work and oral and written communication skills.

 

Students will work in groups to develop contributions that clearly link to weekly topics of their choice. A policy case study is a detailed examination of a specific policy initiative within a real-world context. Students will learn to identify problems in economic development and critically assess remediation strategies that stem from the experience of policy making in developing countries.

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable(s): Presentation and submission (max 14 slides, 16-point font size)

 

Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the evidence on 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.

Professional practice: Development strategy review

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Presentations in W3-W6, submissions by 26/04/2026, 11.55pm
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for students to develop their understanding of how a developing country's development plans align with the SDG and how this alignment is supported by specific policies.

 

Students will select one country from a limited option set that report on how the country-specific development path aligns with the UN SDG development strategies.

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Work readiness
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 

Deliverable(s): Powerpoint submission (max 14 slides, 16-point font size)

 

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the evidence on 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

This unit aims to foster a critical understanding of economic development and its impact on societal change in low and middle-income countries. To enhance the scope of this unit, we will discuss how institutions and policy initiatives can contribute to marry economic and social development.  

Delivery is organized around weekly for 2-hour-long seminars, when there will be opportunities to discuss the key concepts, theories, case studies and policy matters related to specific weekly topics. To faciliate in-class discussion Students are asked to engage with 1-hour recorded lecture posted in iLearn weekly before our weekly meetings. Apart from reviewing the key concepts, theories and issues discussed the recorded lecture and slides, in-class meetings will provide opportunities to learn together through group work and class discussion.

Most readings are non-technical in nature. Whenever more technical material is required, the lecture notes will provide a good summary of the main points, so to make the material accessible to those of you who might not have an Economics background. 

Because of the centrality of in-class discussion and participation, attendance of at least 80% of all weekly seminars is strongly recommended. 

 

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2026.04 of the Handbook