Economics, Public Economics, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

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 deviations from economic efficiency as well as possibilities and limitations of the public sector in dealing with the deviations
• 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.

Content

The course covers the following topics

• Efficiency and welfare economics
• Deviations from economic efficiency, including public goods and externalities
• Political economy
• Equity and distribution
• Taxation

Examinations and grades

Public Economics, Written Examination, 4.5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Public Economics, Written Report, 3 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

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 determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

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

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

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.

Modes of assessment

Written Examination, 4.5 credits (Code: A001)

Written Report, 3 credits (Code: A002)
A 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 modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

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.

Other provisions

The course will be given in English.

If applicable, any supplementary work required to fulfill the standards for a passing grade (code A002) must be completed as instructed by the instructor.

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.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

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

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