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Unit outline_

ECOS3997: Interdisciplinary Project in Economics

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study is concerned with the application of economic principles to problems in an interdisciplinary context. It builds on theoretical knowledge acquired in previous studies and introduces methods of applied economic analysis to real-world problems. Initially, a research problem will be presented by a guest lecturer. Supporting lectures will be delivered by the unit coordinator on the nature of research, appropriate theoretical concepts, quantitative methods and communication. Students will have an opportunity to define a research problem, conduct a literature review, analyse data, and present research results in an interdisciplinary context.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level from one of the following majors: Economics; Econometrics; Financial Economics; Environmental, Agricultural & Resource Economics
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Emilia Tjernstrom, emilia.tjernstrom@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Guy Mayraz, guy.mayraz@sydney.edu.au
Zoe Alderton-flett, zoe.alderton-flett@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Media Presentation
media presentation
40% Week 10 1,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Final Report
written assignment
60% Week 12 3,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

 

  • Final Report – written economic analysis report
  • Media Presentation – communicate economics concepts and ideas to a non economics audience

Assessment criteria

 

  • Final Report – written assignment
  • Media Presentation – communicate economic concepts and ideas to a non-economics audience

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.

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:

Penalty: 5% per calendar day late. If work is submitted more than 10 days after the due date, or is submitted after the return date, the mark will be 0.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Interdisciplinary lecture: guest lecturer Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Principles of clear communication Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 04 Advanced research techniques Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 Assembling a professional product Lecture (3 hr) LO5
Week 06 Stream-specific lecture: key concepts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Stream-specific lecture: what does theory say? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Stream-specific lecture: what do the data tell us? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Stream-specific lecture: interdisciplinary perspectives Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Stream-specific lecture: from evidence to policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Project consultations: students work on final assignment & consult as needed Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Project consultations: students work on final assignment & consult as needed Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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 ECOS3997 Canvas site for a list of readings by stream

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. Apply economic principles to problems in an interdisciplinary context.
  • LO2. Critically review relevant literature.
  • LO3. Apply appropriate quantitative and analytical techniques to generate and interpret results for interdisciplinary research problems.
  • LO4. Demonstrate an understanding of insights provided by economics as they apply to real-world problems in an interdisciplinary context.
  • LO5. Communicate research in an interdisciplinary audience.
  • LO6. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and implications of assumptions and value judgements involved in interdisciplinary research.

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.

Updated order of topics to reflect feedback from last semester

Disclaimer

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