| Semester 1, 2020 Online | |
| Short Description: | Behavioural Economics |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts |
| School or Department : | School of Commerce |
| Student contribution band : | Band 3 |
| ASCED code : | 091901 - Economics |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: ECO1000
Other requisites
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at .
Rationale
Since the 1950s, behavioural economics and ‘orthodox’ economics have operated side-by-side. In pure theory, the descriptive models of decision-making developed by behavioural economists have complemented developments in orthodox theory, especially attempts at generalising expected utility theory undertaken during the 1980s. In empirical work, orthodox and behavioural theory provide complementary explanations for observed human action. Gradually, behavioural economics has taken its place as an accepted research program within mainstream economics. Following Daniel Kahneman’s 2002 Nobel Prize and Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s publication of ‘Nudge’ in 2008, it has exerted growing influence over government policy. It is now essential that economics graduates can demonstrate a familiarity with both orthodox and behavioural economic analysis.
Synopsis
The course introduces behavioural economics in three parts. First, a brief overview of expected utility theory and game theory sets the scene for the emergence of behavioural economics. Second, the growth of behavioural economics is traced through Richard Thaler's, "Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioural Economics". Third, the core of the behavioural economics research program, heuristics and biases, is reviewed through Daniel Kahneman's, "Thinking: Fast and Slow". The course provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate a familiarity with orthodox foundations, the gradual development of behavioural economics and the core findings that constitute the underlying research program.
Objectives
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- outline the main features of (orthodox) expected utility theory and use the theory to solve basic choice problems under conditions of risk and uncertainty;
- use game theory concepts, in conjunction with problem solving and critical thinking, to explain strategic decision-making in basic settings;
- discuss the development of behavioural economics since 1980, including the challenges that confronted its pioneering researchers;
- identify the major turning points (events or breakthroughs) that enabled behavioural economics to gain a foothold in the mainstream of economics;
- explain how heuristics introduce biases into decision-making;
- apply knowledge of heuristics and biases to explain human action and observed outcomes in various settings, including consumer-goods markets and financial markets.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Economic behaviour, preferences and choice | 10.00 |
| 2. | Expected utility theory and game theory | 10.00 |
| 3. | Development and growth of behavioural economics | 20.00 |
| 4. | Behavioural economics: early challenges and breakthroughs | 10.00 |
| 5. | Heuristics and biases: theory | 25.00 |
| 6. | Heuristics and biases: applications | 25.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=ECO3020)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Assessments | 30.00 |
| Directed ¾«¶«´«Ã½app | 38.00 |
| Private ¾«¶«´«Ã½app | 97.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONLINE QUIZ | 5 | 5 | 16 Mar 2020 | |
| ESSAY | 20 | 20 | 05 May 2020 | |
| JOURNAL | 30 | 30 | 01 Jun 2020 | |
| ONLINE EXAM | 45 | 45 | End S1 | (see note 1) |
Notes
- This will be an online exam. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via ¾«¶«´«Ã½appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the Alternate Assessment Schedule has been released.
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
Requirements after S1, 2020:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.) -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Requirements after S1, 2020:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.
Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2). -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course. -
Examination information:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.
Requirements after S1, 2020:
This is a restricted examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the examination for this course are:- writing materials. These must be non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination.
- an unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary). A student whose first language is not English may take a translation dictionary into the examination room. A translation dictionary with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
- a calculator which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination).
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Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.
Requirements after S1, 2020:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period. -
¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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Referencing in assignments:
Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide at .