ECON 7228 - Behavioural Economics IID

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

This course provides a non-technical introduction to behavioural economics. Behavioural economics analyses regularities in actual individual and strategic decision making and documents departures from behaviour predicted by classical economic theory. Behavioural economics explains these departures by incorporating psychological aspects into economic theories. This course will help you understand why people make the decisions they make, improve your own decision making, and predict how others behave in situations in which they interact with you strategically.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 7228
    Course Behavioural Economics IID
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ECON 2511
    Assumed Knowledge ECON 1005 or equivalent
    Course Description This course provides a non-technical introduction to behavioural economics. Behavioural economics analyses regularities in actual individual and strategic decision making and documents departures from behaviour predicted by classical economic theory. Behavioural economics explains these departures by incorporating psychological aspects into economic theories. This course will help you understand why people make the decisions they make, improve your own decision making, and predict how others behave in situations in which they interact with you strategically.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Ralph-Christopher Bayer

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate how the standard assumptions in economics translate into predicted behaviour
    2 Derive the behaviour predicted by classical game theory in simple games
    3 Critically discuss the standard assumptions made in classical economic theory
    4 Explain behavioural concepts in individual decision making
    5 Explain behavioural concepts in strategic interaction
    6 Apply advanced behavioural concepts to new situations
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,4,5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    3,6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    4,5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    4,6

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1.2.3.4.5.6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Textbooks:

    Erik Angner: A Course in Behavioural Economics, 3rd edition, 2020.

    Please make sure that you purchase a copy of the book. I have deliberately chosen a book, which is not outrageously expensive. The book can be purchased for a reasonable price as an ebook. If ordered directly at the publisher (https://www.macmillanihe.com/page/detail/a-course-in-behavioral-economics-erik-angner/?sf1=barcode&st1=9781352010800 ) a 20 percent discount is available (Discount code: ANZJR20).

    Additional required reading resources will be announced during the semester on Canvas or in class.
    Online Learning

    The course uses MyUni and it is a student’s responsibility to check the website regularly.

    Course material such as lecture notes, assignments, and assignment answer guides will be available on MyUni.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Learning in this course is through lectures, tutorial, and personal study.

    The lectures will provide you with the necessary understanding of the material to be able to solve the exercises you will be given during tutorials, assignments or exams.

    In the tutorials you will:
    • be asked to present and discuss solutions to tutorial exercises.
    • Sometimes you will be asked to make mini-presentations of important concepts.
    • Your tutor will moderate the course discussions and will be available to answer questions.
    Diverse learning styles will be supported by the provision of course materials in a variety of formats.

    The practical learning approach will be incorporated through the tutorials as described above. The online discussion board will also provide a dynamic forum for students to share and develop their ideas.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students in the course are expected to attend all two-hour lectures and/or tutorial throughout the semester. Students are also
    expected to commit approximately 4 to 6 hours to private study, that is, study outside of your regular classes.

    Learning Activities Summary
    A Tentative syllabus for the course
    Week Topic
    1 Part I
    Introduction to Behavioural Economics
    2-10 Part II
    Individual Decision Making
    - Choice under certainty
    - Judgement and Choice under Risk and Uncertainty
    - Intertemporal Choice
    11-12 Part II
    Strategic Decision Making
    - Classical Game Theory
    - Behavioural Game Theory
    - Social Preferences
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    ssessment Task Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Mid-semester exam 1

    week 7

    20% 1, 3, 4
    Assignment 1 week 6 15% 1,6
    Assignment 2 week 12 15% 2,5
    Tutorial Presentation varies by student 15% 4,5
    Final Exam exam period 35% 1,2,4,5,6


    Assessment Detail
    1. There will be two assignments and one mid-semester exam during the semester. The goal of the assignments is to facilitate preparation for the exams. The assignments and mid semester exam are compulsory and NOT redeemable, unless a student has a medical certificate which has to be presented to the lecturer before any redemption can be arranged.
    2. The final exam will cover the entire course. All material from the lectures, the textbook, or the tutorials is examinable.
    3. Every student will be asked to make a short presentation in the tutorials covering one important concept. The student will be asked to pick a concept that relates to their own epxerience (e.g. at work). The peresentation is supposed to show a deeper understanding of the concept. 
    4. Assessment marks prior to the final exam will be communicated on the course website.  Students are encouraged to check their marks and notify the lecturer-in-charge of any discrepancies.
    Submission
    Refer to MyUni for further instructions regarding submission
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.