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Unit outline_

ECON5050: Communicating Economics

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit of study aims to enhance students ability to communicate persuasively in oral and written form about business economics, including in professional contexts and with the general public. In this context it will focus on developing skills in the translation of economic ideas, and synthesis. Motivated by the fact that in many practical contexts preparation times are limited and ones audience has a short attention span, the unit will particularly focus on succinct and concise communication. These skills will be developed through practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ECON5040
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ECON5004
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Denny Lie, denny.lie@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral presentation 1
See detailed assignment description in the unit Canvas site
11% Multiple weeks 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO9 LO8 LO6
Presentation Oral presentation 2
See detailed assignment description in the unit Canvas site
34% Multiple weeks 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO9 LO8 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Essay 1: academic
See detailed assignment description in the unit Canvas site
30% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO9
Assignment Essay 2: public/professional
See detailed assignment description in the unit Canvas site
25% Multiple weeks 750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introductory lecture Seminar (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 02 Public/professional communication 1 Seminar (3 hr) LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 03 Public/professional communication 2 + Academic communication 1 Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 04 Academic communication 2 Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 05 Academic communication 3 Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 06 Academic communication 4 Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Academic communication 5 Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO9
Week 08 Academic communication 6 Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 09 Public/professional communication 3 Seminar (3 hr) LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 10 Public/professional communication 4 Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Public/professional communication 5 & Final presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Final presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 13 Final presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO8 LO9

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. take effective notes from written texts and write academic summaries
  • LO2. plan and write an academic essay
  • LO3. prepare and deliver a short academic seminar presentation
  • LO4. participate effectively in seminar discussions, including giving critical but constructive feedback
  • LO5. understand the principles of academic honesty
  • LO6. reference and acknowledge sources appropriately
  • LO7. plan and write a piece for a professional or public audience
  • LO8. prepare and present a short economic talk for a public audience
  • LO9. participate effectively in critical discussion about economic issues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.