Course syllabus

Economics, Public Economics, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits

Course code: NA432A Credits: 7.5
Main field of study: Economics Progression: A1N
    Last revised: 12/03/2020
Education cycle: Second cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 01/11/2019 Reading list approved: 12/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

Knowledge and understanding

On successful completion of the course, students are expected to

  • demonstrate broad knowledge of public economics within the main areas discussed on the course
  • demonstrate a deeper understanding of the benefits and limitations of Pareto efficiency and welfare economic analysis.

Competence and skills

On successful completion of the course, students are expected to

  • demonstrate deeper skills in theoretically analyzing different forms of market failure as well as possibilities and limitations for the public sector to correct for these and minimize social costs
  • demonstrate an ability to autonomously and critically relate to current theoretical and empirical research within the areas discussed on the course and a deeper ability to do so within a specified area, all with respect to social relevance, underlying assumptions and definitions.

Judgement and approach

On successful completion of the course, students are expected to

  • demonstrate the ability to discuss research questions within the field of public economics, using a scientific approach.

Main content of the course

The course covers the following topics

  • Efficiency and welfare economics
  • Market failure, such as public goods and externalities
  • Political economy
  • Equity and distribution
  • Taxation
  • Economics of climate policy

Teaching methods

Teaching takes the form of lectures, workshops and seminar.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Public Economics, Written Examination, 4.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written individual examination.

Public Economics, Written Report, 3 credits (Code: A002)
An individually written report, also to be presented at a compulsory seminar.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Public Economics, Written Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Public Economics, Written Report
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each examination assignment in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

First-cycle courses of 75 credits in Economics including an independent project of 15 credits. In addition, successful completion of the course "English 6/English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School or equivalent is required.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course will be given in English.

If applicable, any supplementary work required to fulfill the standards for a passing grade must be completed as instructed by the instructor.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Hindriks, Jean & Gareth D. Myles (latest edition)
Intermediate Public Economics
MIT Press, Cambridge

Additions and Comments
In addition to the main text book, papers and other material will be covered during the course. A list of this additional compulsory literature is specified further in the instructions compiled for the course.