Public Economics
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- ECON324
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
This is a graduate course in the principles of public economics and topics in public economics. The course will emphasize the combination of theoretical and empirical research. We will study the impact efficiency and distortionary aspects of taxation. We will discuss the government intervention in the context of public goods and externalities, including applications to specific expenditure programs and education. We will cover justifications for government involvement in redistribution and insurance markets. Optimal design of transfer and social insurance programs. Theoretical and empirical analyses of programs including cash welfare assistance, unemployment insurance and social security.
We discuss modern econometric techniques that allow assessment of how public policy affects individuals, businesses and society.
Public economics is a wide topic that in principle includes most aspects of the public sector. It includes topics related to:
- Introduction and methods
- Tax incidence
- Tax Distortion
- Optimal Commodity Taxation
- Externalities and Public Goods
- Taxes and Labor Supply
- Optimal Income Taxation
- Tax Salience
- Taxes, transfers and low income families
- Optimal Unemployment Insurance
- Education Policies
Learning Outcomes
A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student
- is able to read and understand reports and journal articles that make use of the concepts and methods that are introduced in the course.
- knows how public policy affects economic behavior.
- knows how to assess empirical research on public policy.
Skills
The student can
- apply the theory to relevant policy issues.
- can empirical assess the effects of policies.
General competence
The student can
- follow detailed argumentation.
- discriminate between valid and invalid argumentation.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Forms of Assessment
Portfolio assessment with overall grade assessment.
- Individual assignment (40%)
- Individual 2-hour exam (60%)
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam can be submitted in English. It is also possible to submit in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester.
Regarding re-sit exam
Essay
Students with valid absence as defined in UiB's study regulations § 5-5 can apply for an extension of the submission deadline on the written essay by emailing Studieveileder.econ@uib.no. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired.
School exam
A re-sit exam is arranged for students with valid absence at school exam given that the essay has been submitted according to § 5-5.
If a resit exam is arranged, it is available for students with the following results/absences:
- Medical certificate/valid absence
- Interrupted exam
If you have the right to take a resit exam and a resit exam is arranged for students with valid absence, you can register yourself in StudentWeb after January 15th/August 1st.
Reading List
Course Evaluation
Examination Support Material
The Department of Economics can conduct a sample of aids in the examination room.