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Unit outline_

ECOS3021: Business Cycles and Asset Markets

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit of study provides theoretical and empirical training in analysing macroeconomic fluctuations and the interactions between the real economy and asset markets. The unit of study will introduce theoretical models of the business cycle to identify sources of economic fluctuations. It then provides a theoretical framework in which the asset market-the real economy can be analysed. In addition to theoretical analysis, the unit will develop empirical tools for analysing economic and financial indicators as well as evaluating the performance of theoretical models. The role of government policy will also be discussed by taking both Australian and global episodes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
((ECOS2001 or ECOS2901) and (ECOS2002 or ECOS2902)) or (ECOS2040 and ECMT2130)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Kim, kim.david@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Online Exam
n/a
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
In-semester test Mid-semester test (take home)
Take home exam
25% Mid-semester exam period
Due date: 20 Apr 2020 at 14:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Assignment
Online group collaboration is required.
25% Week 14 (STUVAC)
Due date: 01 Jun 2020 at 18:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester test: This assessment is designed as an early indicator of the student’s progress in the subject.  The mid-semester test will comprise multiple choice questions and a short-answer problem. It will be a closed-book test.
  • Assignment: This can be done as an individual or a group report. If studnets elect to do a group report, there has to be a group of no less than 2 and no more than 4.\
  • Final exam: The final exam (two hours) will be held during the June exam period.  The end-of-semester exam will be closed-book.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

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 to business cycles: concepts and measurements, time series properties, and stylised facts Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Theories of the business cycle : (1) neo-classical market clearing view of the business cycle Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 Theories of the business cycle: (2) traditional (Keynesian/Monetary) views of the business cycle Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Theories of the business cycle: (3) political business cycle, expectations and uncertainty Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Introduction to asset prices – concepts, measurements and issues, historical overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 Asset prices, consumption and the business cycle I Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 Asset prices, consumption and the business cycle II Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 Mid-Semester Exam Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 09 Credit market imperfections and the business cycle Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Housing and business cycle Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 International business cycle Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Empirical analysis and prediction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Review of the Unit: What have we learnt, and where to from now? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: students 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 which 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

See e-Reserve on Canvas for each week’s 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. explain the business cycle indicators that should be part of every economic analyst’s and decision-maker’s information set
  • LO2. employ empirical or theoretical models for understanding and analyzing fluctuations in the aggregate economy and asset prices, while understanding the limitations of the models
  • LO3. assess domestic and global economic conditions using key economic and financial indicators and critically evaluate government policy measures
  • LO4. work with other students cooperatively and responsibly.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.