23918 Economic Policy Seminar
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 23917 Advanced Macroeconomics AND 23907 Advanced Microeconomics AND 23908 Advanced Econometrics
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 25918 Economic Policy Seminar
Description
The goal of this subject is to develop students’ critical thinking and provide them with experience on how to apply their theoretical knowledge to a specific economic issue. Students are required to derive the implications on a specific policy issue of a topic studied in the coursework or included in a reading list prepared by the coordinator. The student should provide a critical assessment of the topic or paper and an evaluation of its effectiveness in terms of policy prescriptions.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Identify and describe the main research questions of academic research papers |
|---|---|
| 2. | Evaluate the contributions of research papers to the relevant literatures |
| 3. | Assess the suitability of the research methodologies used in research papers |
| 4. | Describe the main findings of research papers and explain their relevance for the economic policy discourse |
| 5. | Formulate suggestions about further research directions of selected research papers |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject applies the knowledge and skills students have developed in other subjects in the economics major, including the Honours program, to evaluation of the current academic research in economics. It develops student knowledge of recent developments in academic literature. The subject thus further equips students for active engagement with research.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is offered as self-directed study. Students choose one item from the proposed reading list or one topic from the content of subjects Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, Advanced Econometrics, and propose policy applications to a specific economic problem. The application is illustrated in a report and then discussed with the other students and the coordinator during a presentation.
Content (topics)
- Critical evaluation of research papers in economics
- Identification of the innovations and contribution to the literature
- Identification of shortcomings
- Suggestions for improvements for the research
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Report (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 35% |
Assessment task 2: Presentation (Individual)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 55% |
| Criteria: | *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Assessment task 3: Discussion of other students’ presentations (Individual)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 10% |
| Criteria: | *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.