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ECON2044 – Labour Markets, Artificial Intelligence and Inequality

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
ECON1020 or ECON1021 or MQBS1030 or SOCI1000 or SOCI2030 or SOCI2040
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides a deep dive into the various factors that affect how firms and economies create different types of jobs and remunerate workers. It addresses current issues such as why wage levels vary between jobs, the returns to skills, market power and technological change, and how firms and economies contribute to wage and income inequality in the context of automation and adoption of Artificial Intelligence technologies. In so doing, ECON2044 aims to provide students with a critical appraisal and understanding of current economic debates on the future of work. Ample time will be devoted to developing critical understanding of these issues, communication skills and group-work capabilities.  Using examples drawn from Australia and abroad, students have the opportunity to investigate policy approaches to these issues within a highly interactive setting.

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 within a team on labour market, technology and inequality issues.
  • ULO4: Identify key concepts and causes of inequality and the consequent trade-offs in devising policy interventions.

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.

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Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Skills development: Problem-based task 20% No Sunday, 11.55pm of the assigned presentation week, W2-W13. Individual No Observed
Professional practice: Group work for policy report 30% No Presentations in W7-W11, reports due on 24/05/2026, 11.55pm. Group No Open AI
Formal examination 50% No University Exam Period Individual No Observed

Skills development: Problem-based task

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Sunday, 11.55pm of the assigned presentation week, W2-W13.
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop expertise in crafting solutions to provided problem sets, and in the communication of these solutions.

 

You will be given a set of questions each week, and will be provided with an opportunity to present a solution for feedback in a chosen week before submitting a written answer.

 

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable(s): Presentation and written answer

 

Individual assessment
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 within a team on labour market, technology and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality and the consequent trade-offs in devising policy interventions.

Professional practice: Group work for policy report

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Presentations in W7-W11, reports due on 24/05/2026, 11.55pm.
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work collaboratively to address key policy aspects and present their findings.

 

Groups will mimic the working of economic consulting teams’ work by addressing a complex policy project and to deliver a group project report.

 

Skills in focus:

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

 

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

 

Group assessment
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 within a team on labour market, technology and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality and the consequent trade-offs in devising policy interventions.

Formal examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
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 the unit Labour Markets, Artificial Intelligence and Inequality.

 

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:
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of labour market theory.
  • Recognise how labour market theory aids decision-making by individuals, business and government.
  • Communicate effectively within a team on labour market, technology and inequality issues.
  • Identify key concepts and causes of inequality and the consequent trade-offs in devising policy interventions.

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

ECON2044 is delivered via weekly lectures and tutorials. 

Students must engage with the material (readings and lecture notes) weekly so they can participate in the in-person weekly meetings. These meetings will provide opportunities to review the weekly lectures. In order to facilitate this discussion and the group work, Students are asked to review the weekly slides and the essential readings before coming to class.

Apart from reviewing the key concepts, theories and issues discussed in the lecture, we will have opportunities to learn together through group work and class discussion.

Because of the centrality of in-class discussion and participation, the successful completion of this unit strongly recommends attendance of at least 80% of all meetings (lectures and tutorials).

Resources students will use in this unit comprise journal articles and book chapters about the weekly topics. The unit does not require a textbook, but references to useful textbooks for specific topics will be provided to assist students' learning.

Unit Schedule

The material developed in ECON2044 builds on key concepts used in introductory economics units to investigate the basic workings of labour markets in contemporary economies in contexts characterized by technological change and widespread wage inequality. ECON2044 is structured in 4 parts as below: Part 1: Labour markets and Socio-Economic Trends Part 2: Understanding market and non-market factors impacting on labour and inequality Part 3: Technological Change, AI and the Labour Markets Part 4: Policy debates concerning labour market inequality, AI and technological change.

The structure of this unit reflects the need to devote attention to the specific features of current technological change (e.g., AI, GenAI, Automation) in both advanced and developing economies, to understand contemporary policy challenges.

ECON2044 aims to provide students with a critical appraise and understanding of current economic debates concerning policy interventions such as AI regulation, minimum wages, education and training. Ample time will be devoted to develop critical understanding of these issues, communication skills and group-work capabilities.

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