Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Sophie Yan sophie.yan@mq.edu.au Contact via (+61-2) 9850 8409 E4A - 449 Wednesday 2pm-4pm, or by appointment
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites ECON634 and (ECON860 or ECON861)
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description In this unit students will attend a discipline based Research Seminar Series each week during the Session. The Seminar will discuss papers in Economic Theory and Applied Economics and will reflect a variety of methodological approaches. Students will systematically work through the major areas of economics via a sequential reading of The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics (2nd Edition). Weekly written work will provide students with an opportunity to make careful evaluations of the research papers presented and discussed. Participation in the seminars provides a forum for students to engage with leading edge research in their field. They will evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the work of other scholars, learn to think more clearly about their own work, and develop the ability to critique research and scholarship in Economics.

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:

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop the ability to identify research opportunities and open questions in Economics.
Develop critical skills in evaluating Economic theories.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

General Assessment Information

Note: It is necessary (but not sufficient), to pass the final project in order to pass the course.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Presentation & Slides	30%	No	Most Weeks
Presentation feedback	20%	No	weekly
Research Project Proposal	50%	Yes	Tuesday 8am of Week 15

Presentation & Slides

Due: Most Weeks
Weighting: 30%

One or two research paper(s) will be specified as seminar paper in class on weekly basis. You need to read our weekly seminar paper and prepare presentation.

For each paper, you need to i) prepare presentation slides (of no more than 20 slides and 30 mins presentation time) and ii) submit your presentation slides via iLearn (a submission link will appear in the relevant topic folder). You will submit all the presentation slides as per instructions, but only four (4) of these will be marked. Each marked slides is worth 5% of your total assessment. You will not know in advance which of the slides will be marked. You will only know if a particular slides has been marked when the marking for the slides has been completed. More information on the requirements to satisfactorily prepare the slides will be provided. It is your individual assessment.

Deadline of submission will be 9am every Wednesday. No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task. However, there is a Special Consideration Policy which establishes the principles that support students seeking to notify the University when they experience short-term, unexpected, serious and unavoidable circumstances, which affect their performance in assessment. If you are granted a Special Consideration, another slides will be marked in lieu of the one you failed to submit.

In class, you will be encouraged to present the seminar paper. The presentation will be voluntary, and every presentation will be marked - with only the BEST ONE being recorded which will be worth 10% of your total assessment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop critical skills in evaluating Economic theories.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

Presentation feedback

Due: weekly
Weighting: 20%

You are encouraged to provide feedback and comments on the class presentation as well as the slides. This task is a soft introduction to into the review process of submitting a research article. As such you will be required to to think critically and informally critique someone else's work. This is an important skill in your research career as you will be asked to review peer-reviewed research articles.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop critical skills in evaluating Economic theories.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

Research Project Proposal

Due: Tuesday 8am of Week 15
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Ageing is a hot topic in recent ten years. Ageing population is also causing many challenges to economies and policy makers. It is such a broad topic that you can consider the challenges of ageing population with relation to any field in Economics. Combine your own knowledge in your research field and ageing population issue that we will introduce in class to develop a research project proposal and submit in the end of semester.

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Submission Details

Submit the Research Project via TurnitIn by the due time/date.

Since you have the entire semester to do this research project, THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSIONS GRANTED. Also, start work early on this one. Such a strategy will have many educational and mark accumulations payoffs for you.

Word Limit

No more than 2,000 words (reference excluded).

What I’m looking for here is the quality and comprehensiveness of your thought, analysis and research – make it sharp.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop the ability to identify research opportunities and open questions in Economics.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

Delivery and Resources

About This Unit

The aim of the Unit is to provide students with an experience of current research in a wide variety of areas of Economics. In this unit students will attend a Research Seminar each week during the Session and develop their research project proposal in assigned topic throughout the Session under the supervision of the lecturer. The Seminar will discuss research methods and papers. Weekly presentation will provide students with an opportunity to make careful evaluations of the research papers. Participation in the seminars provides a forum for students to engage with leading edge research in different fields. They will evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the work of other scholars, learn to think more clearly about their own work, and develop the ability to critique research and scholarship in Economics. In addition there will be an opportunity for students to engage in their own piece of guided research, via the Research Project.

Classes and Requirements

You must:

Attend all seminar classes and seminars during Session 2, 2018.

Arrive at each class having read the assigned research paper.

Complete weekly presentation preparation as specified.

Complete the Research Project Proposal by the end of the Session.

Technology Used and Required

Students require computer technology sufficient to regularly access the ECON910 iLearn webpage and the Departmental Research Seminar Series webpages via the internet.

Research and Practice

This unit may use research by Macquarie University researchers
This unit may use research from external sources. This unit gives you opportunities to learn how to critique current research at the frontiers of your discipline as a prelude to later conducting your own research

Unit Schedule

Teaching Week	Things Happending in Class	Things Due
1	Seminar 1
2	Seminar 2	presentation slides
3	Seminar 3	presentation slides
4	Seminar 4	presentation slides
5	Seminar 5	presentation slides
6	Seminar 6	presentation slides
7	Seminar 7	seminar discussion and reflection
8	Seminar 8	presentation slides
9	Seminar 9	presentation slides
10	Seminar 10	presentation slides
11	Seminar 11	presentation slides
12	Seminar 12	presentation slides
13	Seminar 13	presentation slides

Learning and Teaching Activities

Seminar Classes

The Seminar classes will run along the following lines: • You will submit a copy of your individually completed research paper presentation slides, relating to the seminar paper as specified later in each week. It is a Faculty requirement that you also submit them electronically. • You are encouraged to contribute to give feedback and comments to the class presentation. The main aim of this unit is to equip you to critically evaluate research papers and others' work, therefore don’t be afraid to state well-informed and constructive criticism.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Appeals Policy
Academic Integrity Policy
Academic Progression Policy
Assessment Policy
Fitness to Practice Procedure
Grade Appeal Policy
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop the ability to identify research opportunities and open questions in Economics.
Develop critical skills in evaluating Economic theories.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

Assessment tasks

Presentation & Slides
Presentation feedback
Research Project Proposal

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop the ability to identify research opportunities and open questions in Economics.
Develop critical skills in evaluating Economic theories.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

Assessment tasks

Presentation & Slides
Presentation feedback
Research Project Proposal

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics, especially the relatively new divisions.
Develop the ability to identify research opportunities and open questions in Economics.
Develop critical skills in evaluating Economic theories.
Possess a high level of oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.
Be intellectually stimulated and intellectually stimulate others.

Assessment tasks

Presentation & Slides
Presentation feedback
Research Project Proposal

APPENDIX A: An Outline of the Fields of Economics and Some Journals

A - General Economics and Teaching

Journal of Economic Education

Journal of Applied Econometrics

B - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology

Cambridge Journal of Economics

Journal of the History of Ideas

European Journal of the History of Economic Thought

C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods

Journal of Mathematical Economics

Econometrica

Journal of Econometrics

Review of Economics and Statistics

Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics

Empirical Economics

D - Microeconomics

Journal of Economic Theory

Review of Economic Studies

American Economic Review

International Economic Review

Economic Theory

Applied Economics

European Economic Review

Applied Economics Letters

Economics Letters

Economic Record

E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics

Review of Economic Studies

American Economic Review

International Economic Review

Journal of Monetary Economics

Money, Credit and Banking

Journal of Macroeconomics

European Economic Review

Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control

International Journal of Forecasting

Journal of Forecasting

Applied Economics

Applied Economics Letters

Economics Letters

Economic Record

F - International Economics

Journal of International Economics