Course Outline ECON1401 Economic Analysis S22013

ECON1401 Economic Analysis

Course Outline Part A: Course Information

Semester 2, 2013

*Students are also expected to have read and be familiar with Part B Supplement to All Course Outlines. This contains Policies on Student Responsibilities and Support, Including Special Consideration, Plagiarism and Key Dates. It also contains the ASB PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS.

Table of Contents

1 STAFF CONTACT DETAILS 1 1.1 Communications with staff 1 2 COURSE DETAILS 2 2.1 Teaching Times and Locations 2 2.2 Units of Credit 2 2.3 Summary of Course 2 2.4 Aims and Relationship to Other Courses 2 2.5 Student Learning Outcomes 2 3 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES 3 3.1 Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies 3 4 ASSESSMENT 4 4.1 Formal Requirements 4 4.2 Assessment Details 4 4.3 Tutorial Preparation (Homework) and Participation 4 4.4 Topic Assignments 5 4.5 In-lecture Written Test 5 4.6 Oral Presentation 5 4.7 Submission Procedure for Assignments 5 4.8 Late Submission of Assignment 6 4.9 There is no Final Exam 6 4.10 Quality Assurance 6 5 COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT 6 6 COURSE RESOURCES 6 7 COURSE SCHEDULE 7 7.1 Lecture Schedule 7 7.2 Tutorial Schedule 8

1 ECON1401 Economic Analysis

1 STAFF CONTACT DETAILS

Lecturers

Arghya Ghosh (Lecturer-in-charge) ASB 406 9385 1347 [email protected]

Dr Nigel Stapledon ASB 430A 9385 9703 [email protected]

Dr Ariel Benaishay ASB 404B 9385 4967 [email protected]

Dr Zhanar Akhmetova ASB 404A [email protected]

Tutors: TBA

1.1 Communications with staff

You should feel free to contact your lecturer(s) about any academic matter during lectures or during consultation times. You may also email them.

For material related to each topic (see lecture schedule), contact your tutor or the corresponding lecturer. Please ask questions about the content material in person. Lecturers and tutors will not provide detailed replies in emails or over the telephone.


2 COURSE DETAILS

2.1 Teaching Times and Locations

Lectures (weeks 1-12): Monday 11 am 1pm, Chemical Science M18 (ex Applied Sc (K-F10-M18))

Tutorials (start in week 2)

Monday: 1 pm (ASB 216), 3pm (ASB 232) and 5 pm (ASB 216) Tuesday: 9 am (ASB 232), 10 am (ASB 232), 11 am (ASB 232) and 12 am (ASB 232) Thursday: 12 pm (ASB 205), 1pm (ASB 205) 2.2 Units of Credit The course is worth 6 units of credit.

2.3 Summary of Course

This course introduces students to the application of economic reasoning and techniques to real-world problems and to investigative methods used in studying those problems. A selection of topics is covered, with the aim of providing an intuitive exposition to interesting applications of economic analysis. The emphasis is on exposing students to exciting areas of economic inquiry, and innovative approaches to the study of economic phenomena.

2.4 Aims and Relationship to Other Courses

This course is offered as part of the first year core in the BEc degree. It aims to give students exposure to a range of questions that economic analysis is capable of answering, as well as a preview of the intellectually interesting problems that economists deal with. It is also designed to introduce you to complementary skills which will be valuable in your future careers.

This course is not a prerequisite for other courses.

2.5 Student Learning Outcomes

The Course Learning Outcomes are what you should be able to DO by the end of this course if you participate fully in learning activities and successfully complete the assessment items.

The Learning Outcomes in this course also help you to achieve some of the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes for all undergraduate coursework students in the ASB. Program Learning Goals are what we want you to BE or HAVE by the time you successfully complete your degree. You demonstrate this by achieving specific Program Learning Outcomes - what you are able to DO by the end of your degree.

For more information on the Undergraduate Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, see Part B of the course outline.


The following table shows how your Course Learning Outcomes relate to the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, and indicates where these are assessed:

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes Course Assessment Item

This course helps you to achieve the following learning goals

On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:

This learning outcome will be assessed in the following items:

1 Knowledge

Explain the assumptions of economic standard economic models and their application.

Use statistical skills to present data relevant to problems in economics.

Assignments Tutorial Homework

2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Use standard analytical and empirical tools/models to interpret and analyse real problems in economics.


3a Written communication

Construct written work which is logically and professionally presented.


3b Oral communication

Communicate ideas in a succinct and clear manner.

Video Presentation (s) Class Participation.

4 Teamwork

Work collaboratively to complete a task.

Class Participation. Group Research Assignment

5a. Ethical, environmental and sustainability responsibility

Identify and assess environmental and sustainability considerations in economic problems/issues.

Assignments

5b. Social and cultural awareness

Identify and assess social and cultural considerations in economic problems/issues.

Assignments

3 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES

3.1 Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies

Lectures Lectures are divided into four topics, each covered in a two or three-week block of lectures. Each topic will be covered by a different lecturer. The lectures are NOT designed for on-line learning. If you choose not to attend lectures, that is to your cost.

Tutorials Tutorials are an integral part of the subject. Tutorial discussions and activities will build on or lead into the material discussed in lectures.


4 ASSESSMENT

4.1 Formal Requirements

In order to pass this course, you must: achieve a composite mark of at least 50 out of 100 and make a satisfactory attempt at ALL assessment tasks.

4.2 Assessment Details Assessment Task Weighting

Due Date

Tutorial Preparation (Homework)

10% Collected in five tutorials selected at random

Class Participation 5% Weekly Tutorials Individual Assignment1

12.5 % Electronic submission Sunday 25 August 23.59pm. Hard copy in Week 5 tutorials.

Video Assignment 1

7.5 % Thursday 29 August 23.59pm (Week 5) Group Assignment 20%

Electronic submission Sunday 22 September 23.59pm. Hard copy in Week 8 tutorials.

Individual Assignment 2

12.5 % Electronic submission Monday 7 October 23.59pm. Hard copy in Week 10 tutorials (Monday 14 for Monday tutorials)

Video Assignment 2

7.5 % Thursday 10 October 23.59pm (Week 10) In lecture Written Test 25% Week 13 (Monday)

TOTAL

100%

4.3 Tutorial Preparation (Homework) and Participation Ten (10) marks are reserved for tutorial preparation. In addition, five (5) marks will be allocated to tutorial participation, which requires you to participate in a constructive and informed way in tutorial activities and discussions. Logically, you must prepare and be present in order to participate: if you fail to attend the required minimum seven (7) tutorials (see below), 2 marks will be deducted for each tutorial below the required 7.

For tutorial preparation, each week students are required to prepare a written answer to the tutorial questions for that week. Answers must be submitted at the beginning of the tutorial. Answers submitted outside the tutorial will NOT be marked. During the semester, FOUR of the submitted answers (selected at random) will be graded and


given a mark out of 2.5. A mark of 2.5 will be given for a good answer; 1.25 for a satisfactory answer and a mark of 0 for an unsatisfactory answer (including no submitted answer).

Your tutor is the final judge of the quality of your preparation and of the quality of your contribution to discussion.

A record of attendance at tutorials will be kept. Students should note that 80% attendance is required by UNSW and ASB rules, hence the requirement to attend a minimum 7 out of the 9 tutorials.

Students must sign on within 5 minutes from the start of tutorial to be recorded as being in attendance. Signing on for another student will be treated as misconduct. If, owing to illness or other exceptional circumstances, you are unable to attend your usual tutorial, you may try to attend another tutorial in the same week. However, you are required to attend your usual tutorial class at least 8 times during the session. This allows for occasional absence due to minor illness and other reasons, hence special consideration applications will not reduce this requirement.

4.4 Topic Assignments

Three assignments will be set during the course based on Topics 1-3.

The topic assignments will be covered in the tutorial presentations. In addition, preparation for the tutorials may consist of a problem set or short written responses to a set question.

4.5 In-lecture Written Test

There will a written test in week 13 during class time (Monday). The test will be based on materials covered in Topic 4. Details will be provided on the Blackboard site, closer to the time. There is no FINAL exam

4.6 Oral Presentation

As a separate component of Assignments 1 and 3, all students are required to complete a video of a three minute Oral Presentation. This is largely a skill based assessment. Details of the requirements will be posted on Blackboard

4.7 Submission Procedure for Assignments Students must submit an electronic copy of each assignment to the course website by 11.59pm of the due date. Text must be typed. Instructions will be available on the website. The cover sheet is not required but the file/document must be clearly identified. Use your surname and student ID in the file name (for group one students will do). Browse and upload a copy of your document - do not paste text.

All electronic copies of essays will checked for plagiarism on the Turnitin software into which they are uploaded. See notes on Plagiarism in the Course Outline and also note that the Turnitin software will automatically check against all other assignments submitted (including in the past and to other institutions all over the world). Please also note that it will be academic misconduct if the copy submitted electronically is not the same as the copy given to your tutor.


While discussing the assignments with peers is encouraged, do not lend your assignment to another student. When an assignment is copied, it is difficult for the instructor to determine who the copier is and you may be penalised heavily.

You must also submit a hard copy of each of your assignments to the School of Economics assignment box, located on the ground floor of the Australian School of Business building (in the West wing), by 5pm on the day after due date for the electronic copy.

4.8 Late Submission of Assignment The official time of submission of your assignment is the time at which you upload it to the Turnitin box on course website. Late submissions will be penalised 20% of marks for the first day, and an additional 10% mark for each additional day (or part thereof). Thus an assignment that is 1 minute late will be penalised 20%, and one which is 24 hours and 1 minute late will be penalised 30%. Plan to submit your assignments at least one day ahead of time to avoid last-minute technical complications.

Special consideration does not apply to late submission of assignments. You have a substantial period to complete the assignment and it is your risk if you leave it for the last few days. See Part B of the course outline for more information.

4.9 There is no Final Exam

4.10 Quality Assurance The ASB is actively monitoring student learning and quality of the student experience in all its programs. A random selection of completed assessment tasks may be used for quality assurance, such as to determine the extent to which program learning goals are being achieved and standards being maintained. All material used for such processes will be treated as confidential and will not be related to course grades.

5 COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT Each year feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the courses offered in the School and continual improvements are made based on this feedback. UNSW's Course and Teaching Evaluation and Improvement (CATEI) Process is the primary way in which student evaluative feedback is gathered. You are strongly encouraged to take part in the feedback process.

6 COURSE RESOURCES

There are no textbooks for this course. The website for this course is on UNSW Blackboard at: http://lms-blackboard.telt.unsw.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp


7 COURSE SCHEDULE

7.1 Lecture Schedule

Week Topic Lecturer

Week 1 29 July- 2 Aug

Introduction Topic 1 Ghosh Stapledon

Week 2 5-9 Aug

Topic 1 Stapledon

Week 3 12-16 Aug

Topic 1 Stapledon

Week 4 19-23 Aug

Topic 2 Benaishay

Week 5 26-30 Aug

Topic 2 Benaishay

Week 6 2-6 Sept

Topic 3 Akhmetova

WEEK 7 9-13 Sept

Topic 3 Akhmetova

Week 8 16-20 Sept

Topic 4 Ghosh

Week 9 23-27 Sept

Topic 4 Ghosh

Week 10 8-11 Oct

NO LECTURE; Monday this week is a holiday

Week 11 14-18 Oct

Topic 4 Ghosh

Week 12 21-25 Oct

NO LECTURE

Week 13 28 Oct - 1 Nov

In lecture written test


7.2 Tutorial Schedule Tutorials start in week 2. There are no tutorials in weeks 12 or 13

TUTORIAL SCHEDULE Week Topic Assignment due

dates (see pp. 4) Week 1

29 July- 2 Aug

NO TUTORIALS

Week 2 5-9 Aug

Topic 1

Week 3 12-16 Aug

Topic 1

Week 4 19-23 Aug

Topic 1

Week 5 26-30 Aug

Topic 2 Assignment 1 + Video Presentation Due

Week 6 2-6 Sept

Topic 2

WEEK 7 9-13 Sept

Topic 3

Week 8 16-20 Sept

Topic 3 Group Assignment Due

Week 9 23-27 Sept

Topic 4

BREAK

Week 10 8-11 Oct

Topic 4 Assignment 3 plus Video presentation due

Week 11 14-18 Oct

Only Monday TUTORIALS (as Monday in week 10 is a holiday)

Week 12 21-25 Oct

Topic 4

Week 13 28 Oct - 1 Nov

NO TUTORIALS

Documents

Course Outline ECON1401 Economic Analysis S22013