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Unit outline_

ECOS3020: Special Topic in Economics

Intensive August - September, 2022 [Block mode] - Remote

Study of a special topic in Economics. Topics will vary from semester to semester according to staff availability and the presence of visitors. If taught in both semesters, the topic in semester 2 will be different to that of semester 1.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
((ECOS2001 or ECON2001) and (ECOS2002 or ECON2002)) or ((ECOS2901 or ECON2901) and (ECOS2902 or ECON2902))
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Charles Littrell, charles.littrell@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam Mid-term test
Short-answer questions. Held in Week 7 of Semester 2.
30% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2022 at 10:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final exam
Final exam
50% Week 09
Due date: 06 Oct 2022 at 13:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assignment
Topic to be provided. Due Week 9 of Semester 2.
20% Week 09
Due date: 07 Oct 2022 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

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 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 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; Reprise: Economics of Regulation; Practical definition: What is modern financial regulation? Seminar (3 hr)  
What happens when there is no financial regulation? Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 02 A brief history of international financial regulation: national level Seminar (3 hr)  
A brief history of Australian financial regulation Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 03 Post-War Asian Booms and Busts Seminar (3 hr)  
The Post-War Washington Consensus and financial regulation Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 04 Current state of play in Australia Seminar (3 hr)  
Mid-term test Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 05 Post WWII economic thinking on financial regulation Seminar (3 hr)  
Regulation vs. Supervision Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 06 The problems of gigantism, conflict of duties Seminar (3 hr)  
Emerging risks; Delivering economically sensible regulation Seminar (3 hr)  

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 weekly program on the Canvas site for this unit.

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 how classical and more modern theories of industry regulation link to financial regulation
  • LO2. understand financial boom and bust cycles, from a historical and theoretical viewpoint
  • LO3. become conversant with Australian, international, and multilateral approaches to financial regulation
  • LO4. develop a basic knowledge of the history and current state of Australian financial crises and regulation
  • LO5. develop a basic knowledge of major Asian and European booms and busts since the 1930s
  • LO6. understand current theoretical and applied approaches to optimal financial regulation.

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.

Student feedback has been taken into account when updating this unit.

This is a Special Topics unit with a different topic each semester. Please note, the unit details may differ from the Handbook. The topic for Semester 2, 2022 is Economics of Financial Regulation.

Unit Description:

This unit gives students a broad grounding in the theory and practice of financial regulation, with a focus upon bank regulation but including considerations on insurance, pension, and securities regulation. The unit combines the economic history of financial booms and busts with theoretical and practical approaches to financial regulation. Students will acquire a good understanding of the economic tradeoffs and current best practices in financial regulation.

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.