POLICY 702 : Economics of Policy

Arts

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Applies economic reasoning to current problems in policy and government. Covers fundamentals of market economy, competition policy, welfare and taxation, market failure, problems of collective choice, growth and development, the structure of the macroeconomic system, and the role of public finance agencies in the management of the economy.

Course Overview

The course teaches the key economic concepts and shows how economic reasoning and analysis applies to current policy problems. It covers the roles of different agents in the economy, rationales for government intervention in the market economy, the impact of government taxing and spending activities on economic efficiency and wealth distribution, and contemporary policy issues in New Zealand.

Course Requirements

Restriction: POLICY 743

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
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Public Policy

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Use concepts and techniques of economics to analyse and solve policy problems (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  2. Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the economic framework as it applies to collective decision making (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.3 and 3.1)
  3. Distinguish between normative and positive economics (Capability 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Identify the sources of market failure, and the potential ways in which governments respond to these (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.3 and 3.1)
  5. Understand and analyse the structure of the macroeconomic system and macroeconomic policy outcomes (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussions 10% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 20% Individual Test
Essay 1 30% Individual Coursework
Essay 2 40% Individual Coursework

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 30 hours of seminars, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 60 hours of work on assignments and test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including seminars to complete components of the course.
Seminars will be available as recordings. Other learning activities will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023.

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.

More policy applications and interactive resources will be added to the weekly materials to increase interactions and student engagement.

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 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

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

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.

Published on 31/10/2022 08:17 a.m.