ECON 211 : Macroeconomics
Business and Economics
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The course develops two commonly used theoretical models for studying macroeconomics. They help us understand global and national issues related to the functioning of a macroeconomy and its outcome with and without economic policies. One allows us to examine the macroeconomic outcome in a perfectly flexible (long-run) economy, while the other looks at how the outcome changes under various institutional constraints (short-run), such as the minimum wage law and inflation targeting regime. We utilise interactive tools of learning, which include visual, audio and abstract methods and require in-class activities and small group tutorials. This course pursues Taumata Teitei – Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025 by training students to recognise the exciting challenges ahead with a contemporary statement of our purpose, vision and values.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Recognise the importance of guardianship (kaitiakitanga) in measuring and analysing macroeconomic outcomes while reflecting on Māori values and principles (kaupapa Māori). (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2)
- Describe, analyse and consider macroeconomic models and methods to interpret current macroeconomic policy issues as a responsible citizen concerned for justice and equity in a participatory democracy. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 7.1)
- Examine alternative theories to plan policy options for the government and outline their potential impacts on the economy and environment. (Capability 5.1, 5.2 and 8.1)
- Identify and describe with coherent messages to diverse audiences using different technologies the causes and consequences of economic growth and business cycles. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
- Develop a concise and structured essay to explain the determinants of a country’s trade deficit and the mechanism behind exchange rate fluctuations affecting the quality of life in Aotearoa New Zealand. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.2)
- Categorise through collaborative interactions in class the political issues and controversies surrounding the inflation and unemployment trade-off. (Capability 1.2, 5.1 and 8.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Written and Oral Assignments | 20% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Test | 20% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Written and Oral Assignments | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 11 hours of tutorials in small groups (1 hour per week for 11 weeks), 24 hours (2 hours per week) of reading and thinking about the content related to 10 quizzes which involve interactions in small groups, 44 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, and 35 hours of study prior to the final exam.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete/receive credit for interactive assessment components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will be available as recordings.
The course will include live online lectures and Q & A sessions including group discussions/tutorials via Zoom.
Attendance on campus for the test/exam may be required depending on the University guideline.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
The teaching team will include new and experienced lecturers.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.