ECON2004 Trimester 3A, 2015 ESSAY TOPIC:

ECON2004 Trimester 3A, 2015 ESSAY TOPIC: Healthy Eating A healthy eating pattern is very important to maintain good health and well-being throughout our lifetime The topic of this essay is: The factors that are likely to affect individual’s decisions about the type of food/beverages they choose (e.g., healthy food, junk food) and the consequences of an unhealthy diet. Therefore, your essay should explore: 1. Compare the trends in eating patterns in Australia and another country of your choice (with evidence). 2. The factors affecting individuals’ decisions about the type of food/beverages they choose and the consequences of an unhealthy diet. And demonstrate how they make their choices under different economic situations. 3. Government policy that might promote healthy eating and its effectiveness. Your essay MUST apply relevant concepts from microeconomic theory. Thus, you should use relevant concepts and diagrams to address points 2 & 3 above. PLEASE SEE THE MARKING CRITERIA ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE THE APPROPRIATE LENTH IS 1800 – 2200 WORDS. ASSIGNMENT MARKING CRITERIA Each of the sections (1, 2, 3) above will be scored out of 8 (SUBTOTAL is 24 = 3 x 8 marks). 3 marks are allocated to the introduction & conclusion, and 3 marks are allocated to referencing. This gives a total score out of 30. This score will be halved to give a mark out of 15, followed by a possible deduction of up to 2 marks for improper grammar, sentence and paragraph construction. The assignment marking criteria is summarised in the table below: Assignment Marking Criteria Part Scoring Explanation 1. Background information 6 Search for information on the trends in eating and explain/describe the trends with clear and well-labelled graphs and tables. Please ensure your data or information is recent, relevant and properly referenced. 2. Decision making on eating 12 This section MUST draw on relevant theory, especially consumer choice theory (although you may also consider concepts from behavioural economics to be relevant). Ensure that you include relevant diagrams and concepts – and that these are applied to the details of the essay topic. 3. Policy 6 This section should also draw on relevant theory (such as consumer choice theory). Ensure you include relevant diagrams to show, for example, the effects of taxes or subsidies. The section should also include information on recent government policies to promote healthy eating. SUBTOTAL for all three sections: 24 marks = 8 marks allocated for each section (1,2,3) 4. Introduction & Conclusion 3 The introduction should include some general comments on the topic and an outline of your essay. The conclusion should recap your key findings and include some general comments on the issues raised by your research. 5. Referencing** 3 The referencing score is compiled from having demonstrated an adequate range of research from appropriate sources, using the correct format. TOTAL: 30 marks divided by 2 to give a mark out of 15 6. Prose (possible negative adjustment of up to 2 marks) If there is evidence of weakness in grammar, sentence and paragraph construction, then up to 2 marks will be deducted from your final score out of 15. GRAND TOTAL: FINAL MARK out of 15