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Unit of study_

ECOS2025: East Asian Economies

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study analyses the economic experiences and policies of key East Asian countries with significant economic ties with Australia. The unit will first introduce how some of these countries achieved the miraculous post-war economic growth and analyse their growth success using economic models. The unit identifies the key issues and challenges facing these countries in both social and global contexts. Emphasis will be placed on the bilateral and multilateral economic relations of East Asian countries with Australia.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ECOS2025
Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
ECON1001 or ECON1002 or BUSS1040 or ECON1040
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Kim, kim.david@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final examination
n/a
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO1
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Mid-semester exam
Mid-semester exam (in lecture)
25% Week 08
Due date: 07 Oct 2021 at 10:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation Tutorial participation
Participation
15% Weekly 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Online task Online quizzes
small quizzes
10% Weekly 750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Online Quizzes: There will be 5 sets of online quizzes throughout the semester. Students are advised to attempt and complete online quizzes regularly after they have covered and fully studied the relevant topics. Each quiz is based on lecture contents in the preceding 2 weeks, and contains both multiple choice and true/false questions. Once you start your attempt, you will have 60 minutes to submit your answer. Do not expect to complete them at the last minute close to the deadline. Computer unavailability is not an acceptable excuse. You can submit the assignment only "ONCE". The quizzes will be computer-marked on Canvas.
  • Mid-semester Test: This assessment is designed as an early indicator of your progress in the subject. The mid-semester test will be a closed-book test.
  • Final examination: The final exam (two hours) will be given in during the exam period.  The end-of-semester exam will be closed-book. 
  • In-class quizzes and participation: Starting in Week 3, students will be required to participate in a quiz or quizzes on some pre-lecture readings to be assigned in the preceding week. How we do this in class will be demonstrated in Week 2. Students need to bring their smart phone or tablet in order to participate in the quizzes.

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

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Distinction

75 - 84

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty. 

Credit

65 - 74

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as
defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Pass

50 - 64

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Fail

0 - 49

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

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 Introducing the Unit and East Asian success stories Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Review of economic concepts and models useful for understanding East Asian economies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Japan's postwar growth strategies, the Lost Decades and Abenomics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Korean Miracle: from a war-torn former colony to the envy of developing economies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Chinese economy: from a catastrophic failure to a global economic powerhouse Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Review of economic policies and contemporary issues in North East Asia Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 ASEAN5 and Vietnam: Key developments and policies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 No lecture: Midterm exam Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Contemporary issues and challenges in South East Asia Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Asian Financial Crisis: Case study of Korea and other EA Economies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 East Asian growth post AFC and Global Financial Crisis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Trade and Financial integration in East Asia: Case study of Korea and other EA Economies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Overview: The Role of Institution and Challenges for East Asia Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas. Some basic readings are:

  • Shuman, Michael. (2009) The Miracle. The Epic Story of Asia’s Quest for Wealth. New York: Harper Collins. 
  • Perkins, Dwight. H. (2013) East Asian Development: Foundations and Strategies, Harvard University Press.   
  • Rodrik, Dani (2009) One Economics, Many Recipes Globalization, Institutions, and Economic Growth, Princeton University Press. Introduction and Chapter 1.  
  • Studwell, Joe (2013) How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World’s Most Dynamic Region, Grove Press, New York.

More readings will be given on a weekly basis. 

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. develop the key conceptual frameworks necessary for understanding East Asian economic growth
  • LO2. demonstrate understanding of the historical backgrounds and initial conditions that shaped the current East Asian economies
  • LO3. apply economic models for analysing historical and contemporary economic outcomes and policies of East Asia
  • LO4. identify current challenges and opportunities East Asian economies pose.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last 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.

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