Key facts
UNE unit code: ECON308
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2026
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- analyse complex economic or business scenarios to identify and explain the influence of specific cognitive biases, heuristics, and social preferences on decision-making;
- evaluate the empirical validity, predictive power, and limitations of standard and behavioural economic models by critically assessing evidence from diverse sources;
- critique the design, potential effectiveness, and ethical implications of behavioural interventions ('nudges') within specific policy or organisational contexts;
- design theoretically grounded proposals for behavioural interventions or experimental studies aimed at addressing real-world economic or social problems; and
- work independently to plan, execute, and reflect on research or practical tasks that extend behavioural economics knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioural intervention critique and enhancement proposal | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Critically evaluate a provided intervention's design, effectiveness, ethics and propose justified modifications. Word count: 1500 words |
| Behavioural Design Challenge and Oral Defence - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | A two-part capstone assessment. Part A is a written design proposal for a novel intervention or experimental study for a specific real-world problem. Part B is an oral presentation and Q&A defence of the proposal. The oral presentation will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Both components must be completed for the assessment to be valid. Word count: 2000 words Students must obtain at least 50% in Assessment Item 3 (and at least 50% overall) to receive a pass or better in the unit. |
| Critical case study analysis | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Analyse a case study using behavioural concepts and compare explanatory power versus standard models. Word count: 1500 words |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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