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ECON3191: PUBLIC ECONOMICS

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Not available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Economics

Prerequisites

  • Microeconomics (ECON2021) OR Economic Theory (ECON****)

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop knowledge and analytical skills in public economics, by building on the second-year microeconomics module.

Content

  • theoretical and practical issues in taxation and public expenditure;
  • second-best problems regarding taxation and public expenditure, and their applications;
  • political economy aspects of public economics, including the effects of government policy on, e.g., economic performance, distribution and welfare;
  • the normative theory of government policy, e.g., evaluation of tax systems on the basis of efficiency, redistribution, and correction of market imperfections.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • At the end of the module the students should:
  • understand the effects of different tax instruments and their use in practice.
  • have obtained a good understanding of second-best analysis.
  • understand the political dimension of government and public policy.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • be able to formulate and evaluate optimal taxation - and public expenditure problems.
  • be able to apply second-best analysis to practical problems.

Key Skills:

  • Written communication - through summative assessment.
  • Planning, organisation and time management - e.g. by preparing for examinations.
  • Problem solving and analysis - e.g. by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills, as well as the ability to manipulate concepts in public economics, in undertaking assessed work.
  • Using initiative
  • Numeracy

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (inlcuding student-centred learning). Formative assessment is by means of an assignment. Summative assessment is by means of a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures201 Per Week1 Hour20 
Revision Lectures21 per week1 hour2 
Seminars8Fortnightly1 Hour8Yes
Preparation and Reading170 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
One written examination3 hours100Same

Formative Assessment

1500 word assignment

More information

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