Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ECOS2002: Intermediate Macroeconomics

Intensive February, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study develops models of the goods, money and labour markets, and examines issues in macroeconomic policy. Macroeconomic relationships, covering consumption, investment, money and employment, are explored in detail. Macro-dynamic relationships, especially those linking inflation and unemployment, are also considered. Exchange rates and open economy macroeconomics are also addressed. In the last part of the unit, topics include the determinants and theories of economic growth, productivity and technology, the dynamics of the business cycle, counter-cyclical policy and the relationship between micro and macro policy in the context of recent Australian experience.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ECON1002 or ECON1040
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ECON2002 or ECON2902 or ECOS2902
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Wait, andrew.wait@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Atta Adu-Osae, atta.adu-osae@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 25 January 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Short-answer and multiple-choice questions
50% February exam weeks 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial quiz Online quiz 1
Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
10% Week 01
Due date: 19 Jan 2024 at 16:00
35 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial quiz Online quiz 2
Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
10% Week 02
Due date: 25 Jan 2024 at 16:00
35 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Supervised test
? 
Mid-term test
Short-answer and multiple-choice questions
20% Week 03
Due date: 02 Feb 2024 at 14:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial quiz Online quiz 3
Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
10% Week 04
Due date: 09 Feb 2024 at 16:00
35 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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 (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.

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 Review and Introduction to Macroeconomic Indicators Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Macroeconomic Indicators Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The Goods and Financial Market Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The Goods and Financial Market Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The IS-LM Model Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The IS-LM Model Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 The Labour Market Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The Labour Market Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
The AS-AD Model Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The AS-AD Model Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The Phillips Curve Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The Phillips Curve Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Mid-term test Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Expectations, Output, and Policy I Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Expectations, Output, and Policy II Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Expectations, Output, and Policy Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Contemporary Macroeconomic Issues Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 The Open Economy and Exchange Rate Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The Open Economy and Exchange Rate Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Long-Run Economic Growth Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Long-Run Economic Growth Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Technological Progress and Growth Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Technological Progress and Growth Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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: All lectures will be recorded and made available to students on Canvas. Attendance at lectures is expected. Sole reliance on lecture recordings is a highly imperfect means of absorbing material and not recommended.

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

Blanchard, O., & Sheen, J. 2021, Macroeconomics, Australasian edition, 4th edition, Pearson Australia.

There are additional required and suggested readings that will be assigned through the Canvas site.

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 theoretical models that form the body of contemporary macroeconomics
  • LO2. understand and apply macroeconomic models to various economic problems and policy issues
  • LO3. understand the associated empirical implications of policy issues
  • LO4. apply new ways of thinking and appreciate the importance of intellectual curiosity and reflection as foundation for continuous learning
  • LO5. identify, define and analyse problems and recommend creative solutions within real-world constraints
  • LO6. demonstrate a capacity to work independently including the ability to plan and achieve goals
  • LO7. critically evaluate underlying theories, concepts, assumptions, limitations and arguments in disciplinary and cross-disciplinary fields of study

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.

Slight adjustments have been made to the topics and relevant texts based on student feedback and engagement from the previous 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.