Curs 2011-2012

Llicenciatura en Administració i Direcció d'Empreses
Llicenciatura en Economia

Anàlisi de Polítiques Públiques (11895)
Topics in Public Economics

Degree/study: AD/E 3^rd and 4^th years
Course: Second term, 40 hours (lectures) + 10h (practice classes)
Language: English
Professor:  Gabrielle Fack ([email protected]), Off 20 2E82

1. Presentation of the subject

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with public economic analysis, by focusing on specific topics with recent policy applications. For each theme, the theoretical analysis of public economic concepts will be linked with actual public policy applications. We will also put a specific emphasis on public policy evaluation, with a step-by-step critical analysis of public recent policy evaluation papers.

2. Competences to be attained

By the end of the course, students should be able to understand the main questions behind the contemporary economic policy themes reviewed in the course and the basic empirical methods used in public policy evaluation.

3. Contents

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE COURSE:

I.          INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS

II.        EXTERNALITIES AND REGULATION

III.       PUBLIC INTERVENTION AND PUBLIC GOODS

IV.       TAXES AND REDISTRIBUTION

4. Assessment

Student presentations on public policy questions will complement the main lectures. The evaluation of the course will be based on presentations in class, participation and the final exam.

5. Bibliography

GENERAL REFERENCES:

- Jonathan Gruber, "Public Finance and Public Policy", Second Edition, Worth Publishers, 2007.

- to complement Gruber´s book: Joseph Stiglitz, "Economics of the Public Sector", Third Edition, W. W. Norton & Compagny, 2000.

Additional bibliography and teaching resources will be given during the course.