ECON3000 Public Economics S2 2020
S1 2020
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Assignment
ECON 3000 S2, 2020
Due 3pm on Friday Week 8 (October 2, 2020)
QUESTION:
Consider the following proposition:
“The principles and methods of theoretical and applied economics
are invaluable to the public policy-maker. For any given policy
issue, they enable the underlying structure of the problem to be
specified, relationships to be clarified, objectives to be defined,
equired data to be identified, and appropriate methodologies to
e deployed.”
Choose one of the subject areas covered in this unit and identify a specific policy issue of past or
cu
ent significance in that area in Australia or elsewhere. Your task is to show how the above
proposition can be applied to the issue you have identified. In other words you need to be explicit
about how economics allows the structure of the policy problem or issue to be specified, how it
identifies the key economic relationships pertinent to the issue, and how economics helps in the
defining of policy objectives in relation to that issue? You also need to indicate the kind of data
that might be relevant to analysing the problem, and the methodology that would be appropriate.
As part of your essay you should indicate the sorts of advice an economist might offer to a policy-
maker considering the issue.
ECON3000 Public Economics S2 2020
S1 2020
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
General
The assignment is strictly 2500 words maximum (excluding reference list).
The assignment must be prepared using a word processing program (e.g. Microsoft Word). As
detailed below, however, your final submission must be in PDF format.
Any included figures may be prepared electronically (e.g. Microsoft Word drawing tool) or
scanned and pasted on the document. The report will count towards 20 % of your final mark.
Referencing
All sources used in the assignment should be appropriately referenced using a standard referencing
system (e.g. Harvard style). The reference list will not count towards your final word count. Please
consult Macquarie University Li
ary’s resources for further information about referencing.
Submission
The assignment is due 3pm Friday October 2, 2020. Students who have not submitted before the
deadline will be penalised 20% of full marks per day (accepted up to 96 hours late). No extensions will
e granted except in cases where an application for Special Consideration has been approved.
You must submit through iLearn using the Turnitin link provided. Submission links will be open two
weeks prior to the deadline. All submissions must be in PDF format. Turnitin often encounters problems
with Microsoft Word files that include figures and/or tables. Failure to submit as a PDF file may result
in a marker being unable to mark your submission. Note that, Turnitin does not allow multiple
submissions.
The Faculty of Business and Economics uses plagiarism detecting software (Turnitin) on all
submissions. By submitting through Turnitin each student acknowledges the University’s policies
elating to plagiarism and academic misconduct. Please see Unit Guide for more information. You are
welcome (and encouraged) to work with other students to assist in developing your knowledge and
ideas but ultimately the final submission must represent your own work.
Marking
A detailed marking ru
ic is provided as an appendix table in this document.
http:
libguides.mq.edu.au/content.php?pid=459099&sid=3758848
http:
libguides.mq.edu.au/content.php?pid=459099&sid=3758848
https:
staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-honesty
https:
staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-honesty
https:
staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-honesty
ECON3000 Public Economics S2 2020
S1 2020
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CHECKLIST:
Document Preparation Checklist
☐ My assignment is typed using a word processor (e.g. MS Word).
☐ My assignment is written in full sentences and in clear language.
☐ My assignment is proofread and grammatical e
ors and typos are minimised.
☐ My assignment is written under the word limit, 2500 words.
☐ Diagrams are not distorted and properly inserted into the master document.
☐ My assignment is saved as a PDF file of a size less than 40MB.
After-Submission Checklist
☐ I have double-checked whether the assignment was properly uploaded.
☐ I have seen my originality report.
☐ I have received the Turnitin receipt via email.
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APPENDIX: ECON3000 S2 2020 individual Assignment Marking Ru
ic
Criteria Fail (F) Pass (P) Credit (Cr) Distinction (D) High Distinction (HD)
Articulation of issues (20%)
Economic and ethical issues are
clearly stated and succinctly yet
comprehensively explained as they
elate to theories, concepts and
definitions.
Student does not provide any
description of economic and
ethical issues showing no
understanding of the topic.
Student poorly describes few
economic and ethical issues
demonstrating limited understanding
of the topic.
Student mostly effectively describes
several economic and ethical issues
demonstrating fair understanding of
the topic.
Student effectively describes multiple
economic and ethical issues
demonstrating deep understanding of
the topic.
Student effectively and creatively
describes multiple economic and
ethical issues demonstrating an
extensive understanding of the
topic.
Analysis (20%)
Issues are analysed using relevant and
appropriate economic and ethics
theories, concepts and definitions.
Analysis includes research studies or
examples. Analysis takes into account
diverse/competing perspectives.
Student fails to demonstrate an
analysis substantiating any of
made claims through theories,
concepts, definitions, research
studies or examples. Student
provides information and no
analysis, ideas/solutions.
Student ordinarily demonstrates an
analysis, develop poor arguments,
struggling to substantiate claims
through few and/or i
elevant
theories, concepts, definitions,
esearch studies or examples.
Student mostly provides information
and limited analysis, ideas/solutions.
Student accurately demonstrates an
analysis; develops fair arguments but
they lack substantiation through
elevant theories, concepts,
definitions, research studies and/or
examples.
Student accurately demonstrates an
analysis; skilfully develops arguments,
substantiating made claims through
elevant theories, concepts,
definitions, research studies and/or
examples.
Student accurately and insightfully
demonstrates an analysis;
masterfully develops arguments,
substantiating made claims through
elevant theories, concepts,
definitions, research studies and/or
examples.
Position (20%)
The analysis is interpreted, evaluated,
integrated and/or synthesised to
support and provide evidence for a
clear overall position, demonstrating
independent well-reasoned economic
and ethical judgement.
Student fails to support and
provide evidence for a clear and
independent position. There is no
interpretation and integration of
the analysis for an independent
easoned judgement.
Student struggles to demonstrate a
clear position and independent
easoned judgement. Student
ordinarily provides an interpretation
and integration of the analysis.
Student accurately demonstrates a
clear position and independent
easoned judgement. Student mostly
effectively provides an interpretation
and integration of the analysis.
Student skilfully demonstrates a clear
position and independent reasoned
judgement. Student effectively
provides an interpretation and
integration of the analysis.
Student skilfully and insightfully
demonstrates a clear position and
independent reasoned judgement.
Student effectively and creatively
provides an interpretation and
integration of the analysis.
Critique (20%)
Assumptions, objections and
implications of the position are
identified, considered and
appropriately defended.
Student fails to identify
assumptions, objections and
implications for an independent
position regarding the topic.
Student struggles to identify
assumptions, objections and
implications for an independent
position regarding the topic.
Student accurately identifies
assumptions, objections and
implications for an independent
position regarding the topic.
Student skilfully identifies
assumptions, objections and
implications for an independent
position regarding the topic.
Student skilfully and insightfully
identifies assumptions, objections
and implications of an independent
position regarding the topic.
Organisation and evidence of
esearch (20%)
Clarity of structure, transitions
etween paragraphs, accuracy,
academic tone, relevance, academic
sources
Text has no formal structure.
Very poor text logic with
frequent use of contradictions.
Absence of academic tone due to
consistent use of informal
language. Referencing is non-
conforming to standard (e.g.
Harvard) style and/or absent.
Articles are from non-reputable
sources and/or are i
elevant to
and do not substantiate made
claims.
Text has under-developed formal
structure. Poor text logic with
ecu
ent use of contradictions.
Inappropriate academic tone due to
frequent use of informal language.
Referencing is mainly inaccurate
and/or does not conform to a
standard (e.g. Harvard) style. Articles
are often from non-scientific sources,
i
elevant to arguments, do not help
to substantiate made claims.
Text has formal structure.
Satisfactory text logic with some use
of contradictions. Inconsistent
academic tone due to use of informal
language.
Referencing is fairly accurate using
standard (e.g. Harvard) style.
Articles are mostly from reputable
sources; are relevant to arguments
and substantiate made claims.
Text has clear and well-developed
formal structure.
Excellent text logic with miniscule use
of contradictions. Appropriate
academic tone.
Referencing is mainly accurate using
standard (e.g. Harvard) style.
Articles are from reputable sources;
are very relevant to arguments;
thoughtfully substantiate made
claims.
Text has clear and original formal
structure.
Outstanding text logic with no use
of contradictions. Appropriate and
confident academic tone.
Referencing is impeccably accurate
using standard (e.g. Harvard) style.
Articles are from highly reputable
sources; are highly relevant to
arguments; insightfully substantiate
made claims.