This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)
Module ECON3191: PUBLIC ECONOMICS
Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)
ECON3191: PUBLIC ECONOMICS
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 3 | 20 | Available in 2016/2017 | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Economic Principles II: Microeconomics (ECON2021)
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- 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
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 22 | 1 Per Week | 1 Hour | 22 | |
| Seminars | 8 | Fortnightly | 1 Hour | 8 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 100% | One written examination | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100% | Same |
Formative Assessment
1500 word assignment
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.