Students

ECON853 – Economics of Public Issues

2018 – S2 Evening

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Unit Convenor
Dr Michael Dobbie
michael.dobbie@mq.edu.au
Contact via michael.dobbie@mq.edu.au
E4A416
Consultation hours: see iLearn page
Lecturer
Professor David Throsby
david.throsby@mq.edu.au
Contact via david.throsby@mq.edu.au
E4A438
Consultation hours: see ilearn page
Lecturer
Dr Craig MacMillan
craig.macmillan@mq.edu.au
Contact via craig.macmillan@mq.edu.au
E4A427
Consultation hours: see iLearn page
Lecturer
Associate Professor Tony Bryant
tony.bryant@mq.edu.au
E4A407
see iLearn page
Marjan Nazifi
fatemeh.nazifi@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
((ECON632 or ECON633 or ECON649) and 16cp at 800 level or above) or (16cp at 800 level or above including POL802 or SOC810)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit covers selected topic areas with an emphasis on the application of economic theory and research methods to particular public issues, including education, environment, energy policy, tourism, defence, housing, drugs, privatisation, transport, and the arts.

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:

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Major Project 40% No November 5 and November 12
Major Class Presentation 15% No November 5 (week 13)
Individual Assignments 45% No October 8, October 29

Major Project

Due: November 5 and November 12
Weighting: 40%

This Major Project involves a team based written report with two parts.

Part 1. Written report will be up to 2000 words in length and is worth 20% of the overall grade in the unit (20 marks out of 40 for this task). The question for this project will be based on the lectures delivered by Dr Craig MacMillan.

Team work will be an important part of your experience in ECON853. In week one each student will be placed in a group. Each group will work throughout the session to produce a written 2,000 word report on a chosen topic. The report will be produced in a staged process over the course of the session with regular feedback provided by academic staff. The final report needs to be submitted via Turnitin on or before 6 pm November 5. Information about this task will be presented in lecture one. A detailed document about this task will be available on iLearn. 

The emphasis in the Major Project will be on the ability to think critically, to evaluate established knowledge, and to integrate and analyse the advanced economic ideas encountered during the degree program. Attendance at lecturers is required for you to be able to complete this task successfully. By attending all lectures, and doing the associated readings, you will equip yourself to undertake this task successfully.   

It is not possible to grant extensions for this task. If students encounter any problems in relation to this task they are encouraged to speak to Michael Dobbie as soon as possible.

Part 2. Individual reflection. Each student is required to produce an individual reflection addressing specific aspects of the teamwork aspect of producing the team report. This is submitted via Turnitin by 6 pm November 12. More detail will be provided in lecture 1 and a detailed document will be placed on iLearn. This task will contribute 20% of the overall grade in the unit (20 marks out of the 40 for this task).  
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team

Major Class Presentation

Due: November 5 (week 13)
Weighting: 15%

On November 5 (week 13) each group will make a presentation to the class that summarises the main findings from the Major Project. Each individual member of the group must contribute equally to the presentation and each individual will receive an individual mark for their contribution (15 marks). More information about the presentation will be provided in lecture one. This will include instruction on how to make a good presentation. A detailed document about this task will be available on iLearn. There will be a trial run for this presentation in class in week 12 (October 29).

It is not possible to grant extensions for this task. If students encounter any problems in relation to this task they should contact Michael Dobbie straight away.

    

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team

Individual Assignments

Due: October 8, October 29
Weighting: 45%

Two individual written assignments, that in total represent 45% of the overall  mark in the unit.

Individual Assignment One is due on October 8, 6pm via Turnitin

Individual Assignment Two is due on October 29, 6pm via Turnitin

These Individual Assignments will give you the opportunity to problem solve, integrate and synthesise knowledge obtained across the economics program, evaluate established knowledge, deploy appropriate ethical frameworks when required, undertake research and communicate on policy issues. Attendance at all lectures is essential to be able to complete this task successfully. By attending the lectures and doing the associated readings you will equip yourself with the ability to undertake these assignments successfully. A separate document for each assignment will outline in detail what is required. These documents will be made available on iLearn. The Individual Assignments are submitted via Turnitin.

No extensions can be granted in relation to this task. Late assignments will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example 25 hours late will involve a 20% deduction). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application is made under the university special consideration policy, and where that application results in a formal extension of the deadline.  

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.

Delivery and Resources

Learning and Teaching Strategy

The unit operates with a three hour weekly lecture. In addition readings are set for each lecture and it is in your interest to read these. There is no set textbook in the unit.  

Unit Schedule

 

 

Lecture 1 July 30 Michael Dobbie Introduction to ECON853.     
Lecture 2 Aug 6 Craig MacMillan The moral limits of markets with applications    
Lecture 3 Aug 13 Craig MacMillan The moral limits of markets with applications    
Lecture 4 Aug 20 Craig MacMillan The moral limits of markets with applications    
Lecture 5 Aug 27 Tony Byrant The Braess Paradox    
Lecture 6 Sep 3 Tony Bryant The Braess Paradox Stage one of major project due  
Lecture 7 Sep 10 David Throsby Economics of education. Economic aspects of foreign student flows    

Recess Sep 17 and Sep 24.

No lecture 8 on October 1 due to public holiday

        
Lecture 9 Oct 8 David Throsby Arts industries and the creative economy Individual assignment one due  
Lecture 10 Oct 15

 

 David Throsby The economics of cultural heritage Stage two of major project due  
Lecture 11 Oct 22 David Throsby Ecological economics and sustainable development    
Lecture 12 Oct 29 Michael Dobbie Trial run for major presentation Individual  assignment two due.  
Lecture 13 Nov 5 Michael Dobbie Major presentation Major project and presentation due November 5. Individual team work reflection due November 12   

 

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:

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key economic ideas and how they apply to the problems faced by economic decision makers.

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Individual Assignments

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate ability to integrate and synthesise learning in order to critically reflect upon complex economic issues and evaluate established knowledge

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Individual Assignments

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Major Class Presentation
  • Individual Assignments

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimension of business practice.

Assessment tasks

  • Major Project
  • Individual Assignments

Changes from Previous Offering

No significant change from previous offering in 2017..