ECON1560 Blockchain and Cryptofinance

Learning objectives assessed 

Assessment Task 2: Opinion editorial article based on a reflective learning journal (30%)

CLO’s:  1,2,3,4,5

CLO1: Explain blockchain technology fundamentals in an economic, social and commercial context.

CLO2: Analyse and evaluate the Blockchain Ecosystem, its origins, and its potential platforms for digital transformation.

CLO3: Evaluate the emerging cryptofinance ecosystem and its implications for the financial system.

CLO4: Analyse real world applications of blockchain technology in the context of current economic, social and political environments.

CL05: Appraise the ethical and social challenges and policy implications generated by widespread adoption of distributed ledger technologies.

This assignment has two parts 

PART A ) Reflective Learning Journal: 

You are required to identify the most important new idea or concept encountered in each new topic and provide a 100 word explanation as to why you found that idea or concept to be novel or important. You must provide a 100 word reflection  for each week. Your reflective journal practice should consider some or all of the following:-

• What did you learn and how does this relate to the course learning outcomes 
• Does this learning experiences connect with, or relate to, other learning experiences you have had
• What challenges did you experience when engaging with this concept/ topic 
• What is your personal opinion of this concept / topic
• What is the relevance / application of this topic in the broader context of your study
• What questions did this topic raise for you that makes you curious and motivates you to explore more

Students will be assessed on their awareness, evaluation and regulation of their own personal learning experiences  in the subject. Using this reflective practice to consider what you have learned, how you have learned and the reasons why you have learned, you will choose a specific topic or concept that you most engaged with to explore in more detail.

This work will then be used to draft an opinion editorial article as per part B. 

PART  B)  Opinion Editorial article (Op-Ed for a publication of your choice) 

Drawing on your reflective practice, draft an opinion editorial article for a publication of your choice.  Students can choose to delve into a topic they identified as particularly important or write an informative piece which links topics around a particular use case or social issues that they are interested in. 

an Op -ed
• Is short, between 800 and 1,000 words.
• It has a clearly defined point.
• It has a clearly defined point of view.
• It represents clarity of thinking.
• It contains the strong, unique voice of the writer.