ECON 761 : Public Economics and Policy

Business and Economics

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Fundamental theorems of public economics, market failure, public choice theory, and distribution; the role of the economist in the making of public policy in a modern mixed economy, ideologies and critiques of the market model, the economics of the welfare state, welfare and tax reform in New Zealand, and applied poverty issues.

Course Overview

The objective of the course is to demonstrate how economic analysis can provide an insight into issues of economic policy. It will cover, in particular, how government taxing and spending activities affect economic efficiency and the distribution of income and wealth. It should provide the tools necessary to complete a dissertation in this area and to proceed to undertake advanced research.

Students should be familiar with the topics covered in ECON701 Microeconomic Theory. Knowledge from ECON361 Public Economics is helpful but not necessary.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply the basic tools, concepts and models necessary for competence in key topics in Public Economics. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 6)
  2. Analyse policy challenges facing governments around the world and learn to find solutions to these challenges, taking into account obstacles to implementation. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 and 6)
  3. Discuss a set of perspectives into the economic activities of the government sector that will help them become enlightened participants - engaged citizens, voters, politicians and/or civil servants - in society. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 6)
  4. Explain and communicate recent academic research in the field of Public Economics orally and in writing. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Problem Sets 30% Individual Coursework
Tests 40% Individual Coursework
Policy Report 10% Individual Coursework
Group Work: Paper and Presentation 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Problem Sets
Tests
Policy Report
Group Work: Paper and 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 lectures, [3] hours of reading and thinking about the content and [4] hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities to complete components of the course. The course will not include live online events. Attendance on campus is required for tests and all group presentations. 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.

There is no preassigned text for this course. Reading lists and lecture notes will be made available on Canvas.

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.

No change.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 20/11/2023 07:39 p.m.