EC244NU-Public Economics

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Vivien Burrows
Email: v.e.burrows@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Module lead at NUIST: Dr Georgi Kalchev; Email: codazur@abv.bg

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the rationale for government intervention in the economy and what the role of the government should be, and to analyse a wide range of policy issues.

Aims:

The module aims to examine the rationale for government intervention in the economy. The first part of the module will look at the justification for and limitations of government intervention in the economy, combining microeconomic theory with applications to contemporary policy issues. The second part of the module will focus on the revenue side and analyse some of the principles involved in tax design and the equity and efficiency implications of taxation.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module students should be able to:

1. explain the main arguments for government intervention in a market economy and some of the key theories of public sector growth;


2. explain the main arguments for government intervention in a range of policy areas;


3. apply economic theory to analyse public policy issues and compare the outcomes of alternative policies;


4. evaluate the means used to finance government p rogrammes and their economic implications.

Additional outcomes:

Students will have the opportunity to further develop their oral and written communication skills through classroom discussions and written assignments.Ìý

Outline content:

Topics to be covered include: theories of the public sector; state ownership, privatisation and regulation; healthcare; social insurance; taxation and deficit financing.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will be used to introduce and discuss the material. Students are expected to prepare for lectures by reading the suggested literature and to actively participate in classroom discussions. Office hours are available for students to consult the lecturer on an individual basis.Ìý