Economic Principles (Macro) 155901494 2023/2024
Assessment 2 (AS2)
Guidelines
Carefully read these guidelines.
AS2 consists of a group project (60% of total mark). Each group will produce a poster or
PowerPoint presentation and record a video presentation.
In addition, each group member will submit an individual (not group) 1000-word report
documenting the main findings of the project.
You will work in pre-assigned groups. Please note that the allocation to group formation is
random with the explicit purpose of fostering intra-class cooperation, enhancing social
interaction and facilitating a peer learning process.
Each group has been assigned a particular topic/question (see questions below).
The recorded video presentation should be 10 – 15 minutes max (please adhere to these
limits strictly). Practice before uploading the video to get this right.
Each group must submit the video presentation via the Moodle pages. The submission
deadline is 28 March 2025. Organise between each other, so one group member is assigned
with the task of submitting the video presentation.
A. How to design the Poster/PowerPoint presentation
There is a level of discretion about how to create a poster and recorded video presentation.
You can use, for example, PowerPoint to design the poster. On the Moodle page, there are
two PowerPoint templates that you can use. You could also produce PowerPoint slides to be
presented within the time limit.
Pay careful attention to the sections that guide the marking criteria described below.
Remember, this is a group assignment, so discuss in group and agree on how you want to
divide the tasks. For example, some team members could search for data and evidence; others
could draft the text addressing the main questions; others could work on designing the poster,
while the rest could work on recording and submitting the presentation.
Use Panopto to record the online presentation.
You can present directly in the Panopto recording (see Examples 1 and 2 below). You can
show your face, but you do not have to do that. As long as there is a voice explaining the
project, that is fine.
Alternatively, you could use a poster-size paper sheet and then glue and paste printed charts,
figures, tables or illustrations that address the questions of interest. A team member will need
to present the poster in front of the camera, while other team members record the video with a
mobile or camera (see Example 3 below). The video should be saved as an mp4 file and then
uploaded via the Panoto link on the Moodle page.
NOTE: DO NOT forget to include in the poster 1) the title of your presentation, 2) your
group number and 3) the names of group members who contributed to the task.
ONLY those contributing to AS2 are entitled to receive a mark.
Keep in mind that the video presentation should be 10 – 15 minutes max. Please adhere to
these limits strictly. Remember to practice before uploading the video to ensure you meet
these criteria.
A poster is a visual communication tool, which enables you to get information across a wider
audience. An effective poster presentation should be a good source of information, deliver a
clear message, be accessible and be of high visual quality.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
B. How to submit the video poster presentation
1. Each group must submit their video presentation recording [this can be done by just
one group member]. Click on the Panopto link “Panopto link to AS2 submission” to
submit your mp4 file. Save the mp4 file with your Group Number.
2. To upload your video to Panopto:
a. Click “Create”
b. Click “Upload Media”
c. Drag your mp4 file to the dotted box.
C. How to submit the 1000-word report
1. Each student must individually produce a 1000-word report documenting the
following:
d. The background context underpinning the question. This can be included in
the introduction.
e. The theories that explain the mechanisms underlying the main question.
f. The data sources used in the analysis.
g. The main conclusions that you can draw from the analysis.
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The report should provide an accurate word count on the cover sheet for all coursework
submitted for assessment. Word count is defined as the number of words contained in the
submitted work including quotations, footnotes, titles, abstracts, summaries and tables of
contents. Appendices and bibliographies are not included in the word count. Appendices
will not normally be marked, and they must not include material essential to the argument
developed in the main body of the work. Penalty scale for over-length coursework will be
applied as defined in the School’s degree regulation – see: Degree regulations, policies and
procedures | SOAS
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The report should be typed, double spaced, with an introduction, conclusion, intext references
and the bibliography using the Harvard system. Please find the Harvard guidelines here:
https://library.aru.ac.uk/referencing/files/QuickHarvardGuide2019.pdf.
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Do not make use of sources without proper acknowledgement and reference. Plagiarism is
a serious offence, and is dealt with under the School’s Regulations for proceedings with respect
to academic misconduct: Degree regulations, policies and procedures | SOAS. This includes
the use of computer-generated materials from ChatGPT or any other AI powered
software.
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You should rely on academic sources: e.g. recommended text books in the syllabus, journal
articles, but you can also use reports by international institutions or think-tanks.
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Data presented should be sourced from the database of a national statistics institute (e.g. the
BEA in the US, the ONS in the UK, etc.), a central bank or other government bodies (e.g. the
FED in the US, BoE in the UK, etc.) or an international institution (e.g. the IMF, the OECD,
Eurostat, the World Bank, the United Nations, etc.).
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Use graphs and tables to illustrate the main argument. It is important that you make sure to title
your figure/table (e.g. Figure 1. Real GDP in the US) and always indicate the source.
2. Save your report as a PDF with your surname, first name, and student number, in that
order.
3. Upload the saved PDF file to the Turnitin Submission Point AS2. To do so:
a. Click “Submit Paper”
b. On the “Submission Title” type AS2, your Group number, surname and student
number, for example: “AS2Group21Johnson730567”
c. Click the box “declaration.”
d. Click “Add Submission”
Groups
The question you should take on depends on what group you are in. Groups are posted in a
separate file on the course Moodle pages.
Groups 1-10: Why does South Africa have such high unemployment? Is this a problem of
cyclical or structural unemployment?
Groups 11-20: What explains South Korea’s exceptional long-run growth performance
during the latter half of the 20th century?
Group 21-30: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect both the demand and supply of credit
to small and medium enterprises and large businesses in the United Kingdom? Discuss how
adverse selection may have influenced these dynamics.
Groups 31-40: How does the association between productivity and real wages influence key
measures of inequality like the labour share of income? Explain with reference to the United
States or the United Kingdom (but not both).
Groups 41-50: Select a country of your interest. What explains the fall in output and rise in
unemployment during the Great Recession of 2008-9? Discuss with reference to key
categories in the national income accounts.
Groups 51-60: Are monetary and fiscal policies always effective countercyclical policies?
Discuss in theory and with reference to one real example of your choice (e.g. Liz Truss’ mini
budget, or the Bank of England’s Quantitative Easing, or Greece in the Eurozone).
Group 61-70: What is money and who “creates” it? In your answer, make sure you explore
the different types of money.
Group 71- 82: Why has the Bank of England carried out contractionary monetary policy
between 2022 and 2024? Has the monetary policy stance changed since 2024?
Marking criteria for Group presentation and individual report are as
follows:
1.
Group presentation (50% of overall AS2 mark)
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Content of Poster/Video presentation (25%)
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Poster design (10%).
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Demonstrate a good grasp of the concepts, appropriately embedded into
context (15%)
Deploy good empirical examples and illustrations (5%).
Include references to citations and data sources (5%).
Think about the particular links between concepts, how these relate to one
another, what underlying theories are, how these illustrate particular points,
etc. and how you can graphically enhance arguments and particular points
that you think are important (5%)
Have a coherent organisation and clear layout (5%)
Pre-recorded video presentation (15%)
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Be engaging and clear (5%)
Highlight the issues at the centre of the topic (10%)
Remember that a poster/presentation is a visual communications tool which can enable you
to get your information across to as many people as possible. An effective
poster/presentation:
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Is a good source of information.
Will deliver a clear message.
Be highly visual.
You must have a clear idea of your main message(s)! Think about what message you want to
get across and support this with a series of images and short blocks of text. It is a good idea at
first to simply put down on paper an effective abstract of your ideas which will serve as an
outline for the poster.
An abstract is a succinct description of your work. It should:
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Explain why your work is important.
Describe the objective(s) of your work. What are you adding to current knowledge?
Briefly explain the methods. Unless the research is about methods, this should not be
a major focus of your abstract.
Succinctly state results, conclusions, and recommendations. This is what most people
want to know.
Once you have an idea of the main message, think of the graphics, layout and how to bring
out graphically the most important issues. However, be concise – less is more! Use graphical
support (tables, charts, graphs) as appropriate. Please make sure these are clearly labelled
(including their source).
Do not assume any knowledge, as your audience is your peers.
Presentation matters: use bullet points, wide margins, ample space between lines and
proofread for typos!
2.
Marking criteria for the individual report (50% of overall AS2 mark)
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Criteria 1: Structure (10%)
– The report must have a good structure and a clear organizational pattern that
contains an introduction, a main body and a conclusion.
– All sections must be well transitioned and follow in a logical order.
– Use of subheadings for clarity.
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Criteria 2: Analysis – Knowledge of the existing Theories and Empirical Issues
(25%)
– A well-structured report often dependents on a clear understanding of the
question, of the theory behind it and of the evidence on it.
– Analysis must show particular insightful connections between the theories
discussed in class and the real-life issues under consideration.
– Present convincing arguments
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Criteria 3: Graphs, Tables and Data where appropriate (10%)
– Analysis can be more powerful when it is supported by information and data
using graphs and/or tables.
– These often supplement the points made in the report.
– If you plan to use graphs and tables, they should be used properly! They must
contain accurate and relevant data, be well-labelled and presented.
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Criteria 4: Citations (5%)
– Do not forget to cite any borrowed idea or argument in order to avoid
plagiarism.
– You should use a consistent format throughout text & bibliography (e.g.,
Harvard, APA style)
– You should not use computer generated material from ChatGPT or any other
AI powered software.
– Note: Any use ChatGPT will result in a zero mark
Please see below the undergraduate marking criteria for reference. These guidelines reflect the
standards of work expected at undergraduate level:
80+ (First Class Honours)
A mark in the range 80+ will fulfil the following criteria which mark it as a work of
outstanding quality:
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shows clear evidence of wide and relevant reading and an engagement with
the conceptual issues.
develops a sophisticated and intelligent argument.
shows a rigorous use and a confident understanding of relevant source materials.
achieves an appropriate balance between factual detail and key theoretical issues.
provides evidence of original thinking.
70-79 (First Class Honours)
A mark in the range 70-79 will fulfil the following criteria:
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engages closely with the question.
shows some evidence of wide and relevant reading and an engagement with
the conceptual issues.
shows some sophistication of argument.
shows an intelligent use and a good understanding of relevant source materials.
60-69 (Upper Second Class: 2.I)
A mark in the range 60-69 will fulfil the following criteria:
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offers critical insights and shows evidence of critical thinking.
shows a good understanding of the major factual and/or theoretical issues,
and addresses the relevant literature on the topic.
develops a focused and clear argument and articulates a sustained train of logical
thought.
gives a clear exposition of models/diagrams, with derivation, where appropriate.
shows clear evidence of planning in the formulation of the written
answer and includes a judicious choice of sources and methodology.
50-59 (Lower Second Class: 2.II)
A mark in the range 50-59 will fulfil the following criteria:
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shows some understanding of relevant major theoretical and/or factual issues.
shows evidence of planning in the formulation of the written answer, makes
selective use of appropriate sources, and demonstrates some knowledge of
the literature.
shows, at various points if not throughout the entire text, examples of a clear
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train of thought or argument.
presents basic models / diagrams, where appropriate.
provides an appropriate conclusion to the textual argument(s).
40-49 (Third Class: III)
A mark in the range 40-49 will fulfil the following criteria:
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shows some awareness and understanding of the factual and/or
theoretical issues, but demonstrates limited ability to develop these.
provides clear evidence of misunderstandings.
shows some, albeit limited, evidence of planning in the formulation of the
written answer, but also includes material or arguments which are irrelevant
or unrelated to the question.
fails to develop a clear or coherent response to the question, but shows
occasional knowledge or insight.
20-39 (Fail)
A Fail will be awarded in cases which:
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fail to answer the question or develop an argument.
fail to demonstrate knowledge of the key issues or arguments.
contain clear conceptual or factual errors or misunderstandings.
are poorly organised and/or poorly written.
0-19 (Fail)
A Fail will be awarded in cases which:
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fail to answer the question even in part.
show no knowledge of the question or topic.
contain blatant conceptual or factual errors.
are very poorly organised and/or very poorly written.