Behavioral economics refers to the research program that attempts to incorporate more realistic psychological foundations into models of economic behavior. It initially started by drawing experimental evidence and insights from psychology and other social sciences suggesting the standard model of rational decision-making provides an inadequate description of behavior. But, more recently, behavioral economics is finding its way into policy evaluation/normative economic analysis as well. This course explores some of the advances in this field. We will study foundational topics in behavioral economics, with a focus on theories of behavior that aim to incorporate non-standard phenomena into classic economic models, with consideration of intertemporal decision-making, choice under uncertainty, and learning.

The course will be centered around research paper discussions, allowing students to develop the critical skills necessary to evaluate and put in practice the latest research findings in the field of Behavioral Economics. Students will have the opportunity to shape the structure of the course by choosing specific readings within each topic.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of what the Behavioral Economics program is and how it differs from classical economic analysis;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the methods used in Behavioral Economics, the advantages, disadvantages, criticisms, and limitations;
3. describe and interpret the latest findings from Behavioral Economics research, demonstrating an understanding of how they translate into individual behaviour and apply them to public policy questions;
4. demonstrate an understanding of the main theoretical and empirical debates in Behavioral Economics and evaluate the contribution of Behavioral Economics to broader economic knowledge, as well as other areas.

Research-Led Teaching

The course will be centered around research paper discussions, allowing students to develop the critical skills necessary to evaluate and put in practice the latest research findings in the field of Behavioral Economics. Students will have the opportunity to shape the structure of the course by choosing specific readings within each topic. The final schedule and the amount of time spent on each topic will depend on the class interests.

Recommended Resources

An extensive list of references will be made available through Wattle. A detailed reading list will be provided week-by-week, depending on the schedule of presentations.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback on their presentation during the scheduled meeting. Students may request a meeting to get feedback on the progress of their critical report before submission.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Background and research program
2	Failure of completeness and cognitive biases
3	Distortion of beliefs and learning biases
4	Intertemporal choice
5	Strategic interaction
6	Applications and interventions

Tutorial Registration

There are no tutorials for this course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Participation (10%)	10 %	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Presentation (45%)	45 %	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Critical report (45%)	45 %	11/11/2022	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The course will be delivered in person.

Assessment Task 1

Participation (10%)

The course is based on the exposition and subsequent discussion of published research papers. Therefore students will receive a grade based on their contributions to discussions, comments, and questions during every class and how their discussion demonstrates their understanding of the learning outcomes for the course. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis (e.g. cases of illness or schedule conflict). Marks based on participation will be released in week 6 and week 12.

Assessment Task 2

Presentation (45%)

For presentations, students will be expected to read a research article, prepare a slide-based presentation, and lead a class discussion about the key ideas. Students will choose the topic of their presentation from an extensive list of papers that will be made available on Wattle. Therefore, the final course structure will depend on the whole class' interests. The duration of the presentations, including discussion, will be defined once the class size is determined. Students' presentations will be scheduled between weeks 5 and 11. Students must schedule a meeting two weeks before their presentation date to choose a topic and receive guidance. Information and rubric for this assessment will be given in week 1 through Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Critical report (45%)

The critical report (1500-2000 words) is a critical assessment of a research paper published in a peer-reviewed journal. It should include an analysis of the relevance of the main contribution and of the adequacy of the methods used. It will be submitted electronically. Students may schedule a meeting before submission to get feedback on the progress of their report. The report will be due during the end-of-semester examination period. Information and rubric for this assessment will be given in week 1 through Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. In this case, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students