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Unit outline_

ECOS2307: The European Economy

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

What economic challenges and opportunities does Europe face? This unit analyses Europe's economic framework and policy experience, its economic institutions and the unique relationship European countries have with each other and the rest of the world. Particular attention is paid to the unique constraints that European policymakers face. This unit provides a practical understanding of European economic management for those who may encounter Europe while working in the private or public sectors. No prior knowledge of Economics is required.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jordi Vidal-Robert, jordi.vidal-robert@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research project
Essay
35% Formal exam period
Due date: 17 Nov 2023 at 23:59
1400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Assignment Quizzes
Online quiz
15% Multiple weeks 20 questions per quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Participation Participation
Online participation
5% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester test
Paper-based test: Multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions
25% Week 07
Due date: 13 Sep 2023 at 15:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment Written assignment
Essay
20% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59
800 words maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Research project: You will write an essay applying the economic concepts seen in class to support a European policy from the EU perspective. You will write the essay first from a technical point of view. Then, you will write a second part using appropriate language to disseminate the ideas to a broad audience.
  • Written assignment: You will write an essay applying the economic concepts seen in class to critically analyse a media article related to a European policy.
  • Online quizzes: There will be 3 sets of quizzes throughout the semester. Only the best two grades will count towards your final grade. Students are required to complete online quizzes regularly within 2-3 weeks after they have covered and fully studied the relevant topics. Usually quizzes will consist of multiple-choice questions, although some short-response questions may appear as well.
  • Mid-semester test: Closed-book test - no simple extensions are possible. 
  • Participation and surveys: Participation and surveys are an integral part of the learning and assessment processes. Students are required to participate in preparatory surveys and encouraged to participate in debates from the tutorial topics.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction, historical background and EU Institutions Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO7
Background on the European Union Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 02 Budget and regional policies Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO10
Visualising the European Union Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 03 Trade: within the EU and between EU and external partners Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO10
Regional policies Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO10 LO11
Week 04 Labour market Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO9 LO10
Trade Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO10 LO11
Week 05 Monetary union 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO6 LO8 LO10
Labour market/migration Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 06 Monetary union 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO6 LO8 LO10
Monetary union Tutorial (1 hr) LO6 LO8 LO10 LO11
Week 08 EU Institutions Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 The GFC, the EU and the Greek crisis Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Review of Mid-semester test Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO10
Week 10 Brexit and EU Fiscal Policy Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO11
On the GFC and the Greek Crisis Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO9 LO11
Week 11 Refugees and Covid-19 Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO10 LO11
On Brexit and the role of Fiscal policy Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO10 LO11
Week 12 Ukraine Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO9 LO11
Economics and human rights in the case of Refugees in the EU Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO9 LO11
Week 13 The future of the EU Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO9 LO10

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

Required textbook: Baldwyn, R. and Wyplosz, C. The Economics of European Integration, 7th ed. McGraw-Hill. 2022

Links provided in Canvas to buy the print version (via Booktopia) or the e-book version (in VitalSource).

All other readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

Links to related news in the media will be provided 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. Demonstrate understanding of the economic backgrounds and major events that have shaped the current European Union
  • LO2. Apply economic concepts for analysing and evaluating the European economic policies
  • LO3. Appreciate similarities and differences across the countries that belong to the European Union
  • LO4. Identify the challenges ahead for the EU
  • LO5. Understand the economic interdependence between the EU and other world economies
  • LO6. Identify the costs and benefits of the EU membership
  • LO7. Understand the European decision making within the EU
  • LO8. Understand the economic arguments behind Europe’s common currency project and appreciate the attendant difficulties and opportunities that the Euro has created for policymakers at national and supra-national level
  • LO9. Understand how economic concerns have shaped social policies in the European Union
  • LO10. Understand the economic reasoning behind European integration
  • LO11. Critically analyse events related to the European economy

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.

Following positive feedback from 2019, I will prepare some lectures based on questions I receive before class. Those questions will shape the slides to better fit students' interest on a specific topics. This year I am also adding some examples on how to visualise information and data related to the European Union to help communicate ideas in your assignments.

Office hours: 10am to 12pm on Fridays. Zoom link will be provided in Canvas.

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.