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Unit of study_

ECOS3997: Interdisciplinary Impact in Economics

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study is concerned with the application of economic principles to problems in an interdisciplinary context. It builds on theoretical knowledge acquired in previous studies and introduces methods of applied economic analysis to real-world problems. Initially, a research problem will be presented by a guest lecturer. Supporting lectures will be delivered by the unit coordinator on the nature of research, appropriate theoretical concepts, quantitative methods and communication. Students will have an opportunity to define a research problem, conduct a literature review, analyse data, and present research results in an interdisciplinary context.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ECOS3997
Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level from one of the following majors: Economics; Econometrics; Financial Economics; Environmental, Agricultural & Resource Economics
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Shauna Phillips, shauna.phillips@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final Report
written assignment
60% Week 11
Due date: 21 May 2021 at 23:00
3,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Media Presentation
media presentation
40% Week 13
Due date: 04 Jun 2021 at 23:00
1,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2

Assessment summary

 

  • Final Report – written economic analysis report
  • Media Presentation – communicate economics concepts and ideas to a non economics audience

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 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalty: 5% per calendar day late. If work is submitted more than 10 days after the due date, or is submitted after the return date, the mark will be 0.

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 STREAM 1: Introduction, concepts & global inequality; STREAM 2: Introduction ; STREAM 3: Introduction & background Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 STREAM 1: Interdisciplinary lecture-Inequality in Australia; STREAM 2: External lecture (Dr. Rory Gallagher, Managing Director of the Behavioural Insights Team, Asia Pacific region); STREAM 3: Interdisciplinary lecture (Dr Angela Pattison & Callum Craigie); introduction to linear programming Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 STREAM 1: Income taxation; STREAM 2:Brief tour of behavioural economics, Part I; STREAM 3:Linear programming(I) Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
STREAM 1: Tutorial 1; STREAM 2: Behavioural economics basics, Part I; STREAM 3: Using Solver in Excel Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 STREAM 1: Inequality & mobility(I); STREAM 2: Brief tour of behavioural economics, Part II; STREAM 3:Linear programming(II) Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
STREAM 1: Tutorial 2; STREAM 2: Behavioural economics basics, part II; STREAM 3: Basic LP model Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 STREAM 1: Inequality & mobility(II); STREAM 2:Behavioural interventions; STREAM 3: Balance sheet for Indigenous business Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
STREAM 1: Tutorial 3; STREAM 2: Causal analysis; STREAM 3: Basic model with native grasses Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 STREAM 1: Attitudes toward inequality; STREAM 2: Evaluating behavioural interventions; STREAM 3: Final model Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
STREAM 1: Tutorial 4; STREAM 2: Regression models and power calculations; STREAM 3: LP model with Indigenous business Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 07 STREAM 1: Wealth inequality; STREAM 2: Putting the project together; STREAM 3: Sensitivity analysis Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
STREAM 1: Tutorial 5; STREAM 2: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs); STREAM 3: Final model & sensitivity analysis Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 STREAM 1: Written report & policy brief; STREAM 2: Writing it up: final report; STREAM 3: Written communication, report brief Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 STREAMS 1, 2 & 3: Overview of communication principles Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO5
STREAMS 1, 2 &3: Rhetorical situation activity Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 11 STREAMS 1, 2 & 3: Advanced research techniques Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO5
STREAMS 1, 2 & 3: Conducting research activity Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 12 STREAMS 1, 2 & 3: Putting research techniques into practice Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO5
STREAMS 1, 2 & 3: Media product activity Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Classes will be delivered online. 

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

Please refer to the ECOS3997 Canvas site for a list of readings 

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. Apply economic principles to problems in an interdisciplinary context.
  • LO2. Critically review relevant literature.
  • LO3. Apply appropriate quantitative and analytical techniques to generate and interpret results for interdisciplinary research problems.
  • LO4. Demonstrate an understanding of insights provided by economics as they apply to real-world problems in an interdisciplinary context.
  • LO5. Communicate research in an interdisciplinary audience.
  • LO6. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and implications of assumptions and value judgements involved in interdisciplinary research.

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.

Updated order of topics to reflect feedback from last semester

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.