Assignment 1
Value: 10%
Due date: 29-Nov-2015
Return date: 21-Dec-2015
Length: Approx. 1000 words
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
Question (10 marks)
Assignment 1 consists of one problem question based on Text material. Text material which may be relevant to this question may be drawn primarily from any of Text chapters 1,2 and 3
Answer the following:
This summer appears to be another scorcher. Coca Cola and all the major drink companies are banking for record sales of fizzy drinks. During the past decade the government have pressed for healthy eating and drinking habits as unhealthy Australian culture is costing the government an enormous amount of funding for health care. The government is consistently trying to raise awareness of the sugar content of some of the fizzy drinks via multiple advertising. It appears that that this might have had an effect after all. Coca Cola has reported that sales have been slowly dropping over the years for its fizzy drinks and upon closer look there are now many smaller businesses selling healthy drinks all around the major cities such as Boost Juice. Using the concepts of demand and supply (chapter 1, 2, 3) analyse the change in the trend of healthy drinking for fizzy & healthy drinks.

Rationale
The question addresses the following learning outcomes:
be able to apply demand and supply analysis to make a range of market related decisions
to be able to identify and critically evaluate opportunities for specialization and exchange
to be able to make decisions that incorporate the relevant benefits and cost analysis
In your working life you will be required to present arguments and explain your decisions. Economics gives you tools to do this. However, many of those with whom you work will have little, if any, understanding of the principles of economics and their application. To communicate with these people you will have to put your arguments succinctly into language that they understand. This does not mean that your argument is any less rigorous or sophisticated. Rather, it means that you are being asked to communicate important concepts and decisions in a manner that most people can understand. We see this as the most important result of your study of this subject and therefore a passing mark (50% to 64% depending on the quality of your answer) on any question will require that you are able to successfully explain to the lay person (one who has not studied economics) the issues associated with any question. Thus in the first part of an answer to any assessment question in this subject you will be required to summarize, in a non-technical manner, the essence of a correct answer.
Of course, you will need to know and understand the relevant theory and associated diagram(s)/model(s) on which you are basing your answer. Thus in the second part of your answer to any question you will be required to correctly outline the basic theory – including the construction and explanation of the diagram(s)/model(s) associated with it. This ability to theorize will indicate your ability to place the issues raised in the question into an appropriate theoretical/abstract context from which to further examine the economic issues and to draw appropriate conclusions. If you successfully complete both the first and second part of an answer you will be awarded a credit mark (65% to 74% depending on the quality of your answer). The third part of your answer requires you to correctly utilize the diagram(s)/model(s) to illustrate the changes to the diagram(s)/model(s) that the circumstances discussed in the question imply. This will illustrate your ability to manipulate the tools of economics. Students who successfully complete this part of the question (in addition to the first two parts) will be awarded a distinction mark (75% to 85% depending on the quality of your answer). Finally, in the fourth part of your answer, you must correctly analyze, using the diagram(s)/model(s), the impact of the change on variables and issues of concern, determine if a response is required (by business or government), what that response should be and predict the impact of that response in both the short-run and the long run.
Marking criteria
Marking Criteria
Learning outcomes Criteria High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail
This Assessment item/ Answer(s) aims to achieve Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 This assignment providesyou with the opportunity to use the content knowledge gained so far in the subject, and for us to assess your ability to: (a) discuss and analyse the statement given, and agree or disagree with it, and (b) explain the costs and benefits of the strategy. In addition to the level achieved for a Distinction, the answer provides a sound justification for the conclusion (agree/ disagree) based on relevant research/ references. The response adds to the answer an economic analysis and provides consequences of the conclusion/ recommendation, and further brings in to the analysis/ discussion what the role of business/ government could be in the scenario that is discussed in the answer. In addition to the level achieved for a Credit grade, the Assessment Item/ Answer adds a brief description of trade between Australia and China, provides a good justification for the conclusion which will be either agree/ disagree. In addition to the level achieved for a Pass grade, the Assessment Item/ Answer should be able to recognise the correct economic theory and the associated diagram(s)/ model(s) for the analysis. The response will be able to explain the basics of the theory and of the construction of the diagram(s)/ model(s) and analyse the statement, and provide a justification for the conclusion which will be either agree/ disagree. Provides in 'everyday language' a summary a correct answer (without reference to diagrams) to the question asked. This summary includes a succinct description of the point from where the analysis commences, identification of the concept(s) behind the statement, a brief evaluation of the statement, and a justification for the answer. The Assessment Item/ Answer(s) fail(s) to achieve the level required for a Pass: Fails to demonstrate knowledge of key principles & concepts. There is no evidence of having read material presented in core texts and readings. Contains only a few ideas, but not presented in a manner that make sense. Lack of integrated arguments.
Academic writing skills
HD Accurate use of syntax, spelling and punctuation, correctly refers to an extensive variety of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts and a broad range of additional readings; reference list of an extensive range of resources used, correctly formatted using APA style. DI Accurate use of syntax, spelling and punctuation; succinct and effective use of vocabulary; correctly refers to a broad range of sources to support arguments, including prescribed text and a variety of further readings; reference lists includes a range of relevant resources used, correctly formatted using APA style. C Accurate use of syntax, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation; correctly refers to more than the minimum requirement of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts and recommended readings; reference list formatted in APA style, with few or no errors. PS Mostly accurate syntax, spelling and punctuation; correctly refers to minimum number of sources to support arguments, including prescribed texts; reference list used, formatted in APA style, with minor errors. FL Incorrect and/ or inappropriate use of syntax, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation; in- text citation is inaccurate, inappropriate and/ or inadequate; reference list is omitted, incomplete and/ or contains numerous errors.
Presentation
Answers should be typed and diagrams must be clear and neat and preferably drawn electronically. Hand-drawn diagrams are acceptable. The answer to the question should be divided into four parts (as indicated in the marking criteria above: Part 1: Summarize; Part 2: Theorize; Part 3: Utilize and Part 4: Analyze) and each part should be carefully labelled.
Requirements
Assignments must be submitted through Turnitin.