ECOP6911: Semester 1, 2025
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Unit outline_

ECOP6911: Theories in Political Economy

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the various theoretical frameworks within which political economic analysis is constructed, and to which you have been introduced in other political economy units. To do this, you will focus on the methodologies, core concepts and philosophical underpinnings of the principal schools of economic thought with particular emphasis on the nonneoclassical approaches to the study of economic issues. If you are considering further study in political economy (Honours, MPhil or PhD), you are strongly encouraged to undertake this unit as it provides the necessary fundamental preparation for further study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Political Economy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ECOP6101
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ECOP3911
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Luciano Carment, luciano.carment@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Riki Scanlan, riki.scanlan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Seminar presentation
Oral presentation
10% Multiple weeks 15 minutes + 1000 word write-up
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Participation Participation
Seminar participation
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay 1
Essay
35% Week 06
Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Essay 2
Essay
45% Week 12
Due date: 23 May 2025 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Two essays: You are required to write two essays. One of these should address one of the seminar questions from weeks 1-4 and is due on or before Wednesday 15 September, 11.59pm. The other essay should address one of the seminar questions from weeks 5-13 and is due on or before Wednesday November 3, 11.59pm. You can choose which essay (whether to the 1500 or 3000 word) to submit by which date.
  • Tutorial presentation: An oral presentation given to the class, attempting to identify core arguments and to provoke discussion. The presentation should then be written-up, taking into account issues raised during the class discussion.
  • Tutorial participation: You will be assessed on your willingness to contribute actively to discussions, to ask questions and highlight issues that are pertinent to our understandings of the topics, and to critically but respectfully examine the assumptions and implications of specific viewpoints.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

For more information see guide to grades.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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:

Late penalties are applied in accordance with Faculty policy

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What should be the subject matter of political economy? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Should political economy aspire to be a science? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Is economic life predictable? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Does political economy need methodological individualism? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Do class, gender and race call for different kinds of analysis? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 06 How do economic ideas matter? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Does political economy need the labour theory of value? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Does marginal utility determine prices? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Can we decolonize political economy? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 10 How useful is the idea of a free market? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Should the state be 'minimal'? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 12 Is there a 'capitalist' state? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Conclusion Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5

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 on Canvas

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. Understand different theories of political economy
  • LO2. Apply theories and concepts to understand specific issues
  • LO3. Make links between economic and political questions
  • LO4. Construct a sound argument using evidence and communicate this effectively (both verbally and in writing)
  • LO5. Examine critically received ideas and existing insitutions

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.

Small changes have been made to this unit based on previous feedback.

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 10 Feb 2025.

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