Unit Outline
BEA102
Economics of Social Issues
Semester 1, 2024
Maria Yanotti
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Maria Yanotti
Email: Maria.Yanotti@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 
Economics of Social Issues applies economic principles to study contemporary social issues, including: the distribution of wealth and income, poverty and inequality, gender differences, altruism, crime and corruption, gambling, and housing. These social issues are analysed by looking at the extent to which efficiency and equity objectives can be achieved through market-based and/or government interventions. The use of a simple yet rigorous economic framework makes this unit useful for those with little or no economic background and are interested in how economic tools can be used to understand contemporary social issues and shape public policy. This unit should be of interest to economists, as well as those from other fields interested in studying major social and economic issues of the 21st Century.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Use economic concepts to identify, describe and explain social issues.
2.
Analyse social issues from different perspectives in Economics.
3.
Analyse public policy responses to social issues from different economic perspectives.
4.
Effectively communicate economic arguments supported with appropriate evidence.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To be determined
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Lecture (Online)
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
2
Weekly
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Online Class
1-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
1
Weekly
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator.
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Quizzes
Week 3
20 %
LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Case Study
Week 7
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Final Project
Week 13
45 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Quizzes
Task Description:
Online Quizzes via MyLO
Quiz 1 - Lecture/WS: 1 & 2
Quiz 2 - Lecture/WS: 3, 4 & 5
Quiz 3 - Lecture/WS: 6, 7 & 8
Quiz 4 - Lecture/WS: 9, 10 & 11

The questions in the quizzes will be related to readings. Each quiz can be sat once anytime within the time it is available.

Weeks due:
Quiz 1: Due week 3
Quiz 2: Due week 6
Quiz 3: Due week 9
Quiz 4: Due week 12

Task Length:
You will have 45 minutes to complete each quiz on MyLO. Each will comprise a few questions.
Due Date:
Week 3
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Define and explain basic economic concepts of social issues.
LO1
2
Identify and explain social issues in society.
LO1
3
Demonstrate an understanding of markets and the limitations of markets.
LO1
4
Use economics to analyse social policy issues. Issues may include income inequality, gender, ageing, crime, gambling, health, and family economics.
LO1
5
Use economics to explain why these social issues exist as well as the consequences of these social issues in society.
LO1
6
Use economics to explain the role of government intervention to address social issues through public policy.
LO3
7
Use economics to identify and explain observed public policy in society.
LO3
8
Use economics to analyse public policy approaches to social issues from different perspectives.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Case Study
Task Description:
General topics will be provided with guiding questions that will require the use of economic principles and tools in order to examine the nature of the social issue, and propose and analyse potential solutions. Students will be required to choose one general topic, identify a social issue and address the questions in a report format.

Detailed guidelines and instructions will be distributed in lectures and posted on MyLO under “Assignments”. This assignment will be submitted individually. You must submit an electronic copy of your PDF files only through the Assignment submission link on MyLO. Please check and follow the plagiarism and academic integrity sections in MyLO. Students will be required to peer review; marks based on their peer revision assessment are included in the assignment’s weight

Task Length:
1,500 words, maximum 2 pages. Minimum 1.5 line spacing, 11 point font. Assignment must be typed.
 
Due Date:
Week 7 (14/Apr/2024)
Weight:
35 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Define and explain basic economic concepts of social issues.
LO1
2
Identify and explain social issues in society.
LO1
3
Demonstrate an understanding of markets and the limitations of markets.
LO1
4
Use economics to analyse social policy issues. Issues may include income inequality, gender, ageing, crime, gambling, health, and family economics.
LO2
5
Use economics to explain why these social issues exist as well as the consequences of these social issues in society.
LO2
6
Use economics to explain the role of government intervention to address social issues through public policy.
LO3
7
Use economics to identify and explain observed public policy in society.
LO3
8
Use economics to analyse public policy approaches to social issues from different perspectives.
LO3
9
Use graphs effectively in support of economic analysis and explanations.
LO4
10
Communicate economic thinking clearly in a written work.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Final Project
Task Description:
Students will work individually in a large project designed and communicated both in written and oral form, to be delivered and shared in class on the last week of the semester.

Detailed guidelines and instructions will be distributed in lectures and posted on MyLO under “Assignments”. Students must submit an electronic copy of their MS Word or PDF files only through the Assignment submission link on MyLO.

Please check and follow the plagiarism and academic integrity sections below. Students will be required to present their research, analysis and argument effectively in a written report.

Task Length:
2,000 words. Minimum 1.5 line spacing, 11-point font. Assignment must be typed.
Due Date:
Week 13 (13/May/2024)
Weight:
45 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Define and explain basic economic concepts of social issues.
LO1
2
Identify and explain social issues in society.
LO1
3
Demonstrate an understanding of markets and the limitations of markets.
LO1
4
Use economics to analyse social policy issues. Issues may include income inequality, gender, ageing, crime, gambling, health, and family economics.
LO2
5
Use economics to explain why these social issues exist as well as the consequences of these social issues in society.
LO2
6
Use economics to explain the role of government intervention to address social issues through public policy.
LO3
7
Use economics to identify and explain observed public policy in society.
LO3
8
Use economics to analyse public policy approaches to social issues from different perspectives.
LO3
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.