Unit Outline

This unit examines a range of contemporary economic issues shaping the development of regional and rural areas. Students will apply economics principles to study regional growth, urbanisation, international trade, migration and development policy. Students will study the complex tradeoffs between regional economic development, social needs and equity concerns. Students are introduced to a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques that enables them to assess issues in regional development. Special attention will be paid to the contemporary development challenges facing Tasmanian regional development.

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	Describe and assess key issues in the global economy and their implications for regional economies.
2	Select and apply appropriate economic theory to analyse key issues facing small, open regional economies.
3	Apply economic theory and models to analyse contemporary policies in regional development.
4	Effectively communicate results and research in regional development economics.

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 1h lecture, once a week	1	Weekly
	Workshop	2h workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 3	2	1 time per fortnight
	Other	5h independent learning	5	Weekly
Online	Online Class	Introductory 1h workshop, Week 1	1	Once only
	Independent Learning	Pre-recorded 1h lecture, once a week	1	Weekly
	Online Class	1h workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2	1	Weekly
	Independent Learning	5h 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 or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, 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:	Knowledge Tests	Week 3	20 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Presentation	Week 10	30 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Policy Report	Week 13	50 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Tests

Task Description:

There will be 4 knowledge tests over the semester. The tests are designed to focus on assessing student instant understanding of the materials. These tests are also to help identify any possible gaps in how they engaged with the lectures to form their understanding.

This assessment will be on MyLO and each should typically take 5-10 minutes to complete, although you will have 30 minutes to complete. You will undertake the test in your own time during a window of availability during the nominated week.

Tests are due on Week 3, 6, 9, 12

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Explain the basic concepts and policies associated with regional development and the global context	LO1
2	Identify the basic assumptions of models that are used to analyse regional development and policy.	LO1
3	Illustrate and apply trade models for simple case studies and economic problems.	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Presentation

Task Description:

This group presentation is designed to develop your ability to apply appropriate trade theory to analyse key issues facing small, open regional economies. It will also develop your ability to present economic arguments and analysis clearly as well as teamwork skills.

Detailed guidelines and and instructions will be distributed in lectures and posted on MyLO.

Task Length:

30 minute presentation including discussion

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Apply appropriate trade theory and economic models to identify key issues in an assigned region from a global development perspective.	LO2
2	Apply appropriated trade theory and economic models to analyse issues in regional development economics.	LO2
3	Use economics to evaluate contemporary regional development policies.	LO3
4	Effectively communicate economic arguments using data, statistical and theoretical evidence.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Policy Report

Task Description:

Regional development in a global context involves working and consulting with a range of stakeholders. Therefore, one key element of the assessment for this unit is students working as part of a group managing a policy-focused consultancy project. Each group of students is assigned to a case study that is relevant to Tasmanian or Australian economic development. They choose a policy issue and put together a consultancy report to argue the case for a particular approach or intervention, based on economic theory and empirical evidence. Thus, they experience what it is like to design and then communicate a public policy intervention to different stakeholders, including the general public.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Apply appropriate trade theory and economic models to identify key policy issues in an assigned region.	LO2
2	Apply appropriated trade theory and economic models to analyse policy issues in regional development economics.	LO3
3	Use economics to assessing contemporary regional development policies and craft a policy recommendation.	LO3
4	Effectively communicate economic arguments using data, statistical and theoretical evidence.	LO4

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.