ECON 3523 - Advanced Economic Analysis III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This is a capstone course that focuses on applying economic modelling and analytical techniques acquired during the BEc(Adv) degree to important contemporary economic questions. By the end of the course, the students will have learned how advanced economic research is employing economic theory and analytical tools to investigate real-world issues. Specifically, the course will aim to make connections between economic theory and a variety of econometric methods and offer students both a clear understanding and some hands-on experience in empirical identification of causal linkages

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 3523
    Course Advanced Economic Analysis III
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites (ECON 2507 and ECON 2506) or (ECON 2507 and ECON 2516)
    Incompatible ECON 3525
    Restrictions Only available to B.Economics (Advanced) students
    Assessment Typically, assignments, mid-term test, student presentation & final exam or project
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Di Zeng

    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. Explain how to use economic data to discern across competing economic mechanisms within available economic theories,
    2. Explain how economic theory can be used to interpret available economic data, and
    3. Apply what has been learned during the first two years of their B.Ec. (Advanced) studies to build and present a research project.

    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 - 3

    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.

    1 - 3

    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.

    1 - 3

    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.

    1 - 3

    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.

    1 - 3

    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.

    1-3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

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

    1-3

    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.

    1 - 3
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    • Economical Writing, 3rd Edition: Thirty-Five Rules for Clear and Persuasive Prose, by Dreidre McCloskey
    • A Guide for the Young Economist, 2nd Edition, by William Thomson 
    Readings and other resources will be provided on the MyUni site.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will comprise of lectures, guest lectures, and workshops delivered/conducted 'face-to-face'.
    Workload

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

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote atotal of 48 hours per week to their studies. This translates to 12 hours per week for a semester course.  Students should expect to spend at least 4 to 8 hours per week reading core material that will be covered or presented in the course's meetings.
    Learning Activities Summary

    Important: Students are expected to attend all lectures and all workshops.

    The Lectures will review 1) how to define and write up a research project, and 2) important concepts related to the statistical/econometric analysis of economic data.

    The Guest Lectures will be delivered by several researchers from the School of Economics and Public Policy or other academic institutions and will cover various economic topics (i.e., macroeconomics, microeconomics, environmental and resource economics, development, trade or competition policy). These presentations will relate to specific research projects/articles and are aimed to help students define their own research project.   

    The Workshops will either follow the Guest Lecture and take the form of a Questions and Answers session (the Q&A Workshops) or consist of student presentations.

  • 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
    Assessment Task Length Due Date/ Week Weight Learning Outcomes
    Assignments TBA Weeks TBA 40% 1-3
    Mid-term Workshop presentation 1 10 min. presentation Week TBA 10% 2,3
    Workshop presentation 2 10 min. presentation  Week 10 - 12 20% 1-3
    Research Project 3000 words max.* Exam Period 30% 1-3
    Total 100%
    Note: *: excluding abstract and bibliography.
    Assessment Detail
    Attendance to all workshops is expected.

    The mark for 'Participation' requires active participation in lectures and workshops.

    Assignments on Guest Lectures or Personal Topic are due exactly 1 week after the Guest Lecture or after having agreed with the Lecturer. There will be a total of 6 to 8 assignments during the semester and the grade will the discard the lowest two marks obtained, i.e., if N is the total number of assignments, the grade will the average of the top N-2 marks obtained. 

    The first (Mid-term) Workshop presentation will be held in Week 7 or 8 and will consist of a 5 minutes presentation of the chosen research topic.

    The second Workshop presentation will be held in Week 11 and 12 and will consist of 15 minutes presentation of the student's Research Project.

    The Research Project itself will be due on the first day of the University's Final Examination period.

    See MyUni for further information on assessment details.
    Submission
    All assessments are to be submitted electronically on the MyUni site, by the dates to be announced in class.
    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.