ECON 361 : Public Economics
Business and Economics
2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course develops a theoretical framework so that students can analyse both normative questions (What should the state do?) and positive questions (What is the impact of state activity and what are the implications of alternative public choices?). The philosophical and conceptual issues involved in the role of the state are highlighted in the context of the evolving economy that has become global in character. The course draws on the rich source of innovative developments in state expenditure, project evaluation, taxation, privatisation and accountability that are associated with the public sector. We also cover the important skills necessary to be a practicing policy economist and require students to complete a policy report.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the basic welfare economics framework to argue for or against particular forms of government intervention, including the provision of public goods, the treatment of externalities, or the provision of social insurance. (Capability 1.1, 4 and 6.2)
- Explain the concepts of social cost and cost-benefit analysis. (Capability 1.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Describe and explain the principles of tax, of what constitutes a 'good' tax, and of the choices and trade-offs in tax reform. (Capability 3, 5 and 6.2)
- Explain the process of converting economic policy into practical change within the institution and community. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 6.2)
- Apply ethical standards for economic advice; the process of making a change at a societal or institutional level; leadership and communication (Capability 1.2, 7 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Report | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 20% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 40% | Individual Examination |
| Group presentation | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Contribution to group presentation | 5% | Peer Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Policy Report | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
| Group presentation | ||||||||||
| Contribution to group presentation | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of in-class discussion sessions, 1 hour tutorial every week, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including the discussion session and the tutorials to complete components of the course. You will need to prepare for the discussion sessions by reading assigned materials. The discussion sessions will include short group presentations preceding wider class discussion. Your contribution to the group presentations will be assessed. Learning activities other than discussion sessions and tutorials will NOT be available as recordings. Attendance on campus is required for the test, group presentations, and exam. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
There will be more learning session activities in the Discussion and Presentation sessions.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.