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ECON3020 – Asian Business Environment

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
Andrea Chareunsy
andrea.chareunsy@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
120cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines how Asia engages with major global challenges, focusing on the complex relationship between local dynamics and broader economic, environmental, and social transformations. Through the lens of East, South, and Southeast Asian economies, students will explore the region’s interconnectedness with global phenomena such as demographic and labour market shifts, persistent inequality, the transforming technological landscape, evolving trade relations, climate change and energy transitions. Students will critically analyse how national and regional contexts shape responses to these challenges. The unit offers an accessible introduction to key economic perspectives and provides a foundation for understanding contemporary Asia’s role in shaping sustainable development in a rapidly globalising and technologically evolving world.

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: Analyse the characteristics and business institutions of the economies of selected Asian economies.
  • ULO2: Critically examine and interpret research in current Asian business and economic environments.
  • ULO3: Express ideas clearly and succinctly, individually and as a group, using appropriate business practice, both verbally and in written format.

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 30% No Exam Period Individual No Observed
Professional practice: Coordinated policy response 40% No Weeks 5 - 10 Individual and Group No Observed
Skills development: Analysing global challenges 30% No 15/05/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Formal examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for students to demonstrate the expertise they have gained in Asian Business Environment.

 

You will participate in a 2-hour 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:
  • Analyse the characteristics and business institutions of the economies of selected Asian economies.
  • Critically examine and interpret research in current Asian business and economic environments.
  • Express ideas clearly and succinctly, individually and as a group, using appropriate business practice, both verbally and in written format.

Professional practice: Coordinated policy response

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 5 - 10
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for students to work collaboratively and develop expertise in crafting solutions to contemporary global challenges faced by Asian economies.

 

You will work in teams to research and address the global challenges and coordinate policy responses from the perspectives of Asian economies. The task consists of individual country perspective in a reflection and an in-class presentation of the team's responses as a collective reflection.

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 

Deliverable(s): Individual reflection and group presentation

 

Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse the characteristics and business institutions of the economies of selected Asian economies.
  • Critically examine and interpret research in current Asian business and economic environments.
  • Express ideas clearly and succinctly, individually and as a group, using appropriate business practice, both verbally and in written format.

Skills development: Analysing global challenges

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 15/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for students to develop the tools to analyse global challenges through the lens of economics, and appreciate the complexity of the multifaceted impact of these global challenges.

 

Students will collect 5 economic artefacts that showcase the economic tools to critically analyse global challenges presented in lectures. Along with the artefacts, students will submit a 500-word reflection on how these tools and artefacts have helped transformed their understanding of the global challenges and the impact on Asia.

 

Skills in focus:

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

Deliverable(s): Portfolio containing 5 artefacts and a report [500 words]

 

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse the characteristics and business institutions of the economies of selected Asian economies.
  • Critically examine and interpret research in current Asian business and economic environments.
  • Express ideas clearly and succinctly, individually and as a group, using appropriate business practice, both verbally and in written format.

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

Class Structure

  • Lectures: 2 hours each week, starting Week 1

  • Tutorials: 1 hour each week, starting Week 2

This unit is designed as stackable modules:

  • Concepts are introduced, applied and explored in lectures

  • Practiced through tutorial activities

  • Reinforced through assessments 

Because of this structure, lecture attendance is strongly recommended and tutorial attendance is mandatory.

Why Attending Lectures Matters

Lectures are interactive and student-driven. You will:

  • Help shape weekly discussion topics

  • Take part in interactive demonstrations, games, and discussions, (and yes - sometimes edible props like chocolate or sweets) 

  • Gain perspectives and insights that may not translate well in recordings or online materials

Each lecture ends with a Q&A session, giving you the chance to:

  • Clarify key ideas and engage more deeply with the material

  • Connect and engage with other students and the lecturer

Important

~ Week 1 Lecture - Don't Miss It!

The Week 1 lecture is essential. It includes an ice-breaker activity that helps explore the core rationale of the unit which underpins all three assessments, giving you:

  • A strong foundation for success in the unit

  • Clear guidance on how to approach assessments

  • Ways to reduce your learning workload (reduce cost) while getting more value from your time (increase benefit)

~ iLearn

More information will be posted weekly on the unit’s iLearn page. You should check iLearn at least twice a week (eg before lectures and after tutorials).

Unit Schedule

Schedule of Topics 

Below is a list of bi-weekly topics. Each Global Challenge topic will include an interactive demonstration of the application of trelated heories or concepts in the lecture.

Weeks 1-2 – Introduction to ABE; GC 1: Demographic transitions and labour markets

Weeks 3-4 – GC 2: Climate change, energy transitions and environmental sustainability

Weeks 5-6 – GC 3: Technological disruption, AI and economic sustainability

Weeks 7-8 – GC 4: Economic inequality and social sustainability

Weeks 9-10 – GC 5: Networks, trade dependencies and globalisation

Week 11-12 – Connecting the pieces: the economic perspective of global challenges

Week 13 – Looking beyond the Asian Business Environment

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 2026.03 of the Handbook