ECON 3529 - Rethinking Capitalism III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course may provide a broad ranging discussion of many of the most pressing issues confronting modern market economies, adopting a pluralist perspective throughout. While technological advances and economic globalisation have contributed to economic growth over time, they have been accompanied in many countries by underemployment and insecure employment; higher levels of income and wealth inequality; financialisation and rising private indebtedness; higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; and a variety of other ecological problems. In recent years, secular stagnation, low investment rates and stalling productivity growth have been widespread. The course may consider innovative and often controversial approaches to addressing these issues, drawn from both neoclassical and heterodox economists. It is intended to be challenging to students who already possess an extensive background in economics, while at the same time remaining accessible to those who have not progressed beyond the first year Principles course. The approach taken is discursive and empirical, rather than being either mathematical or heavily theoretical and technical.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 3529
    Course Rethinking Capitalism III
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge ECON 1012
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Naoise McDonagh

    Office hours: Tuesday 12-1pm (or by arrangement with the Lecturer)

    Office location: Nexus 10, Level 5, Room 5.32.
    Course Timetable

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

    Each student is expected to attend two one hour lectures each week, and a one hour tutorial. A full timetable of the lectures and tutorials can be found on the Course Planner at: http://access.adelaide.edu.au/courses/search.asp

    The lectures will be used to explain the concepts, theories and models relevant to rethinking capitalism, whilst the tutorial time will be used to apply the acquired knowledge to active discussions. The tutorial questions will consist of a mix of real world and theoretical, quantitative and analytical, questions which will be posted on MyUni prior to the tutorials.

    Students are expected to study the course materials carefully and to fully engage in class discussions. All work discussed in both the lectures and the tutorials and any submitted material can form the basis for the final examination.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Identify and explain a range of contemporary economic issues which are currently subject to debate and controversy.
    2. Identify, explain and apply contributions from a variety of prominent economists and various schools of thought to modern controversies relating to economic policy
    3. Construct effective pieces of written work, both individually and in groups, of a professional standard, to communicate the results of economic analysis to non-economists.
    4. Present economic analysis to a diverse group of students and members of staff, making appropriate use of the available technology for the purpose.
    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

    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.

    2

    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.

    3,4

    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.

    1,2,3,4

    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.

    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.

    3,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Hodgson, Geoffrey (2016). Conceptualizing Capitalism: Institutions, Evolution, Future. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press

    Recommended Resources
    Other resources will be supplied on the Canvas course web-site.
    Online Learning
    All of the material related to the course, e.g. supportive readings, tutorial questions, lecture slides, supplementary materials, mock examinations, and the full details of each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

    To encourage collaborative learning, the course will also make use of discussion groups and a chat function on the MyUni webpage.

    These forums will be monitored regularly and managed by the course co-ordinator.

    The purpose of the forums is to encourage student’s collaborative learning and provide all students with equal access to information related to the course.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The lectures will closely follow the readings provided on-line, and the core text. The idea is that the lectures and the text should reinforce each other. You are strongly advised to keep up with the reading, and to do the core reading for each week prior to the lecture. You will find that the lectures are far easier to follow if you have done this.

    Core Text.

    Hodgson, Geoffrey (2020). Conceptualizing Capitalism: Institutions, Evolution, Future. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press


    The tutorials will reinforce the lectures, and will require active participation from all students.
    Workload

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

    On-Line Lecture Material: 2 Hours per week.

    Tutorials: 1 Hour per week.

    Home study expectation: 10 Hours per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week Topic
    The schedule of activities may differ in some respects from what is listed below, due to current events.
    1 Rethinking capitalism: an introduction
    2 Rethinking the concept of capitalism
    3 Rethinking the role of the state
    4 Rethinking money, debt and finance
    5 The macroeconomic debate: MMT and money
    6 Inequality and human behaviour.
    7 Financialisation and full employment.
    8 Rethinking the environment.
    9 Rethinking privatisation.
    10 Innovation
    11 Rethinking the public purpose.
    12 Rethinking capitalism: economics for sustainable prosperity.
    Exam Period N/A
    Specific Course Requirements
    The minimum grade to pass this subject is a mark of 50% overall. There are no separate requirements for individual assessments.
  • 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 Task Type Due Length Weighting Learning Outcome
    Tutorial participation Collaborative; Formative Weekly, ongoing N/A 10% 1,2,4
    Individual written article Individual; Formative Week 8 1,000 words 10% 1,2,3
    Group report Collaborative; Formative Week 10 3,000 words 10% 1,2,3
    On-line quizzes Individual; Formative Weeks 4, 8 and 12 N/A 30% 2
    Final Exam Individual; Formative Exam period 2 hours 40% 1,2,3
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The minimum grade to pass this subject is a mark of 50% overall. There are no separate requirements for individual assessments.
    Assessment Detail

    1) Short Individual Article: 1,000 words – suggested limit (Due: Friday of Week 8).10% Weight.

    A short article, written as if for a magazine, relating to a topic selected by the course co-ordinator from those covered during weeks 1-6. This is designed to assess CLOs 1, 2 and 3.


    2) Group Report: 3,000 words– strict limit (Due: Friday of Week 10).10% Weight.

    A more extensive short group report, on a topic selected from a short-list provided by the course co-ordinator at the beginning of the course. This is also designed to assess CLO 1, 2 and 3.


    3) Three on-line quizzes – (Due: Weeks 4, 8 and 12). 30% Weight.

    These are designed to assess the extent to which students have assimilated the materials covered during the previous four weeks, and to help students to prepare for the final examination. This is designed to assess CLO 2.


    4) Tutorial Participation. 10% Weight.

    Students will be expected to participate actively in tutorials at all times. An assessment rubric relating to this item of assessment will be made available to students at the beginning of the course. This assesses CLO 1, 2 and 4.

    5) Final Examination – 2 hours, Closed Book. 40% Weight.

    The exam will comprise a mix of compulsory short answer questions and optional longer written questions. A mock examination will be posted on MyUni at the beginning of the course. The final examination assesses CLOs 1, 2 and 3.

    Date: Please refer to the examination timetable for details of exam location and time.
    Submission
    1. Assessments are to be submitted on-line, via the MyUni site. Failure to submit an assessment on time will lead to a zero mark.

    2. Extensions and alternative assessment conditions: It is your responsibility to contact the lecturer in the first 2 weeks of the semester to discuss extension or alternative assessment options. This applies to ALL students, including but not limited to those registered with the disability centre or the elite athletes program. Exceptional circumstances will be evaluated by your lecturer on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed whenever possible at least 48 hours before the due date.

    3. Assignments will generally be graded, with appropriate written feedback, within two weeks of the assessment due date. .
    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.

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