EC981: Public Economics

Introduction

This module is aimed to train students in both theory and applications in the field of public finance. The purpose of the module is to understand the role of the government through expenditure and taxation, as well as develop an idea on topics such as externalities and the political economy. It will expose students to frontier research on the theory behind the design of various public policies.

Principal Aims

The module applies methodology learnt in core modules to empirical and theoretical applications in the field of public finance. The main goal is to understand the role of government in the economy through taxation and expenditure. The module will introduce students to frontier research that has immediate practical relevance to the design of public policies such as income and business taxation, social insurance programmes, inequality and the provision of public goods.

Principal Learning Outcomes

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...analyse the impact of public policies on efficiency and equity, using both theoretical and empirical tools.

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...understand the applications of basic microeconomic and game theory tools in public economics settings.

Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...understand and interpret the recent developments of research in the field of public finance, and the implications they have for the design of public policies.

Syllabus

Context

Optional Module

L1P6 - Year 1, L1P7 - Year 1, L1I1 - Year 1, LN1J - Year 1

Pre or Co-requisites

Students should have completed courses in intermediate level microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

Assessment

Assessment Method

Coursework (30%) + Centrally-timetabled examination (On-campus) (70%)

Coursework Details

Centrally-timetabled examination (On-campus) (70%) , Group Report (20%) , Test (10%)

Exam Timing

Summer

Reading Lists