Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025
Module ECON3191: PUBLIC ECONOMICS
Department: Economics
ECON3191: PUBLIC ECONOMICS
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Not available in 2024/2025 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | L100 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | L106 |
| Tied to | L109 |
| Tied to | L103 |
| Tied to | L104 |
| Tied to | L105 |
| Tied to | LL12 |
| Tied to | LL02 |
| Tied to | LL01 |
| Tied to | L1R1 |
| Tied to | VL52 |
| Tied to | VLL6 |
| Tied to | VLLA |
| Tied to | CFG0 |
| Tied to | CFC0 |
| Tied to | FGC0 |
| Tied to | CFG1 |
| Tied to | CFC1 |
| Tied to | FGC1 |
| Tied to | CFG2 |
| Tied to | CFC2 |
| Tied to | LA01 |
| Tied to | LA02 |
| Tied to | LA03 |
| Tied to | LMVA |
| Tied to | LMV0 |
| Tied to | LMVP |
Prerequisites
- Microeconomics (ECON2021) OR Economic Theory (ECON2291)
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combination 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, seminars and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars and private study (including 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Revision Lectures | 2 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 2 | |
| Seminars | 8 | Fortnightly | 1 hour | 8 | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| One in-person written examination | 2 hours | 100% | Same |
Formative Assessment:
One written piece of work to prepare students for the summative exam.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University