EC314-Public Economics

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the rationale for government intervention in the economy, to assess 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.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

1. discuss the main justifications for and the limitations of government intervention in a market economy;


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


3. discuss the means used to finance government programmes and their economic implications;


4. contribute to the contemporary debates concerning the capabilities and limitations of the government against the market sector.

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

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:

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will be used to introduce the material, which will be discussed in more detail in the seminars. Students are expected to prepare for the seminars by doing the recommended reading and to actively participate in classroom discussions and presentations.ÌýOffice hours are available for students to consult the lecturer on an individual basis.