MAE215 - Behavioural Economics for Business and Policy
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Aaron Nicholas |
| Prerequisite: | MAE101 or MAE120 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour on-campus lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour on campus seminar each week. |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1.5 hour lecture recording each week and 1 x 1.5 hour online seminar in weeks 4, 7 and 11 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit provides an introduction to behavioural economics, drawing insights from across the social sciences to provide recommendations and solutions to business and policy issues. Topics covered include nudges, choice architecture, framing effects and loss-aversion. Utilising cutting-edge insights from experimental research, government interventions, and business case studies, we explore how a well-grounded understanding of the nuances of human behaviour can promote better decision-making in areas such as health, finance and the environment.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain core concepts in behavioural economics. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Apply core behavioural concepts to predict behaviour across various settings. | GLO4: Critical Thinking |
| ULO3 | Develop and recommend appropriate behavioural instruments and policy interventions for relevant real-world scenarios. | GLO5: Problem Solving |
| ULO4 | Assess the impact of behavioural instruments and policy interventions from the perspective of all parties involved. | GLO8: Global citizenship |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: (Individual) Problem-based written assignment | 1000 words | 25% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2: (Individual) Problem-based written assignment | 1000 words | 25% | Week 8 |
| Assessment 3: Report (Research) | 2000 words | 50% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for MAE215 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.