This course analyses, discusses and critiques recent and important applied empirical research papers directed towards contemporary economic policy issues. Topics and papers discussed vary from year to year. Recent topics have focused on COVID fiscal and monetary responses, welfare, labour market outcomes, the rise of China, women’s move towards equality in the labour market and the effectiveness of private and public provision of education for disadvantaged groups. The primary emphasis is on the relationships between economic research and economic policy objectives, but discussions also place the research in its social, political and historical environment.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. demonstrate a general understanding of applied research publications that have sought to analyse effectiveness of particular aspects of contemporary economic policy;
2. describe how new research strategies have been applied across different policy areas by focusing on their strengths and weaknesses from the viewpoint of their practical importance in the policy area of interest;
3. apply economic theory and various statistical techniques to judge effectiveness and outcomes of policies;
4. express your intuition and analytical ability to make judgments in policy areas where there is insufficient knowledge about key relationships that matter.

Research-Led Teaching

Theory and examples covered in the course are derived from research in the field of economics.

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Readings and journal articles for each topic will be available on Wattle throughout the semester.

Recommended Resources

There are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Once in a Life time: Understanding the COVID-19 Impact and the Economic Response
2	(Continued)	Tutorials start
3	Labour Markets and Recessions, economic hardship, welfare payments.	Assignment-Essay Due
4	(Continued)
5	The Impact of China's Rise on US and Australian Labour Markets
6	(Continued)	Mid Semester Exam
7	Women and Progress towards Labour Market Equality
8	(Continued)
9	Quality Education for the Disadvantaged: Education and Income, Charter Schools, Education Experiments, the Racial Schooling Gap
10	(Continued)
11	Other topics (to be determined)
12	Other topics (to be determined)

Tutorial Registration

You are expected to attend one tutorial each week from Week 2 onwards. Tutorials will be fully on-campus. ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage. https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling].

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignment - Essay	30 %	11/08/2023	28/08/2023	1,2,3,4
Mid-Semester Exam	20 %	28/08/2023	18/09/2023	1,2,3,4
Final Exam	50 %	*	*	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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

Lectures and tutorials for this course will be delivered on campus. Tutorials are designed to help students better understand the course material. Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with “Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning”, clause 2 paragraph (b).

More details will be available on the Wattle Course site in O-week.

Examination(s)

The course includes both Mid-Semester and Final Exams.

Assessment Task 1

Assignment - Essay

This assignment is a short essay (3000 to 3500 word limit) worth 30% of the final grade. Students will be given the question by the end of week 1. More details will be available during lectures and on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Mid-Semester Exam

The Mid Semester Exam is worth 20% of the final grade and will be held on campus in week 6. The exam will be invigilated and go for approximately 90 minutes. Students will need to complete short essay questions which cover the material from the first five weeks of class. More details will be provided during lectures and on Wattle by the end of week 4.

Assessment Task 3

Final Exam

The Final Exam will count 50% of the final grade and will be held on campus during the ANU Exam block. The exam will be invigilated and go for approximately three hours. Students will need to complete short essay questions which cover material from the entire semester (weeks 1-12). More details will be provided during lectures and on Wattle by end of week 10.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignment marks and (short) comments will be returned by the date entered above.

Exam scripts can be viewed in line with the Research School of Economics exam viewing procedure.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

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 Access 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 all ANU students