LAWCOMM 769 : Special Topic: Economic Regulation: Principles and Practice
Law
2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)
Course Overview
The main objective of this course is to give students an informed platform to participate in policy analysis of regulatory issues, and to be better prepared to assist in regulatory proceedings before agencies such as the Commerce Commission, the Telecommunications Commissioner, and the Electricity Authority, or in the courts.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Understand basic economic concepts of workably competitive markets and recognise where unregulated markets may not work well for the long term benefits of consumers (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3)
- Recognise the limitations of generic competition law in dealing with market ‘failure’ (Capability 3.1)
- Understand the rationales for and against economic regulation and when regulation might act as a complement to, or a substitute for, workably competitive markets (Capability 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
- Appreciate the potential downsides and costs of regulation as well as the benefits (Capability 2.1 and 2.2)
- Recognise the spectrum of potential regulatory options (from ‘light handed’ to ‘industrial strength’) and when each option might be appropriate (Capability 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
- Understand the intellectual background of pro-regulation, de-regulation and re-regulation policy evolution internationally and in New Zealand (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
- Recognise best practice in considering, implementing, and reviewing economic regulation (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 5.1)
- Demonstrate familiarity with key economic regulatory statutes in New Zealand (Part IV of the Commerce Act, Telecommunications Act, Dairy Industry Restructuring Act) (Capability 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3)
- Understand the assumptions behind, and the operation of, the ‘building blocks’ model under Part IV of the Commerce Act (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
- Articulate and demonstrate awareness of outstanding regulatory and de-regulatory policy issues and better engage with legal and economic regulatory experts (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 4.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Abtract of research essay | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Class participation | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Research essay | 80% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Abtract of research essay | ||||||||||
| Class participation | ||||||||||
| Research essay | ||||||||||
- Research abstract of 500 words
- Class Participation
Each student is expected to be present at all three days of the course and is expected to ask questions, and to contribute to discussions. If a student is not present for all the classes, it will be difficult to achieve the maximum marks possible even if a student actively contributes when present. Questions will not be graded for quality; there is no such thing as a stupid question, and often other students will have been wondering along the same lines. Questions, debate and challenge improve everyone’s understanding (including the lecturer’s), and the benefits are the reason why active participation is included as a criterion for course assessment - Research essay
Each student is required to submit a research essay of no more than 6,500 words.
Workload Expectations
This is a standard 15-point course. There will be around 36 hours of lectures in this course. As a general guide, you should expect a workload of three hours outside of the classroom for each hour spent in class. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 150 hours.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience or Online
This course is offered in two delivery modes:
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including the seminar components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities such as class discussions will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
Online
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including the seminar components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities such as class discussions will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement of the course.
This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
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.
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 against online source material 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 director, 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 Student Academic and Support Adviser 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.