Public Economics (p)
Course content
The course introduces students to the main topics, concepts, theories, empirical methods and results in Public Finance. Public Finance deals with the role of government in the economy. It focuses on the relationship between the government and the market and tries to answer such questions as when should the government intervene, and what problems can arise due to government policy when governments operate under imperfect information and other imperfections. The course covers both positive and normative aspects of government policy regarding the expenditure side and, in particular, the financing side of the public sector.
A key aspect of Public Finance is the use of theoretical models to derive conditions for optimal policy that only depend on parameters that we can estimate using real data. During the course the students will see examples of this close link between theory and data at the lectures and in hands on exercises. They will learn to apply the achieved knowledge by analyzing and structuring academic discussions to the effects and optimality of policy initiatives. The students will also learn how to acquire additional knowledge about public policy issues through reading of scientific journal articles.
Topics and questions covered in the course include:
- Deadweight loss and excess burden: How do we measure the
efficiency cost of taxation and why is the size of the behavioral
responses to taxation important?
- Labor supply and taxes: In what way is the labor market
special in terms of outcomes and public policies? How do this
affect behavioral responses to taxation, efficiency and government
revenue?
- Measurement of behavioral responses: How can empirical
methods be used to identify behavioral responses to government
policy? What are the key assumptions and how can we validate
them?
- Tax evasion: How is tax evasion defined? What is the
level of tax evasion and what are the likely causes for it?
- Tax incidence: What determines who bears the “true cost”
of a tax? How it the distribution of the burden affected by
imperfect competition (as oppose to perfect competition).
- Taxation of firms: In what way is taxation of firms
special? How does this affect who bears the burden of taxation and
efficiency in the short and long run?
- Inequality and intergenerational mobility: How is
inequality measured? How has it evolved over time and how is it
transmitted between generations?
- Social welfare: What are the main arguments for
government intervention? How do we compare and choose between
different possible outcomes in society?
- Optimal income taxation: How big is the trade-off
between equality and efficiency? How high should the tax on high
incomes be?
- Social insurance: What is the difference between redistribution and social insurance? What is the optimal degree of social insurance (e.g. unemployment insurance) in society?
MSc programme in Economics – elective course
Bacheloruddannelsen i økonomi – Prioriteret valgfag på 3. år (angivet med et 'p')
The Danish BSc programme in Economics - prioritized elective at the 3rd year (symbolized by ‘p’)
The course was previously called Public Finance.
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
- Open University students
After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
- Provide precise definitions of key concepts used in public finance when debating public policy (incidence, excess burden, intensive vs. extensive responses etc.).
- Account for motives for and against public sector involvement in the economy (redistribution, externalities, efficiency loss etc.)
- Define and discuss the theories and underlying assumptions behind key arguments about public policy (e.g. theory about tax incidence).
- Identify main empirical findings on the effects of public policy (e.g. introducing an earned income tax credit).
Skills:
- Apply the empirical methods to analyze the effects of public policy (e.g. the difference-in-difference method)
- Assess the assumptions underlying the different methods (e.g. the common trend assumption).
- Analyze and engage in discussions about the effects and optimality of public policy initiatives by using the appropriate concepts, providing correct theoretical arguments and including relevant results from the empirical literature.
- Assess which empirical methods to use for analysing a policy problem
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different methods.
Competencies:
- Master the achieved knowledge and skills to structure and/or manage academic discussions about how to analyze the effects and optimality of new policy initiatives.
Teaching consists of lectures and two workshop, where students analyze a problem theoretically and use empirical methods (hands on) to identify relevant behavioral responses to public policy.
Hindriks, Jean and Gareth Myles (2013): “Intermediate Public Economics”, 2nd edition, MIT Press.
Various scientific journal articles and other readings.
Knowledge of basic economic principles from the courses
"Principle of Economics A" and "Principle of
Economics B". Knowledge of micro economics (consumer
optimization using calculus, equivalent/compensating variation and
social welfare) from the courses "Microeconomics I" and
"Microeconomics II".
Knowledge of empirical methods (cross sectional regression
analysis) and tools (Stata or equivalent) from the course
"Econometrics I".
All courses offered at the Bachelor of Economics, University of
Copenhagen (or from similar courses and subjects)
The student may also benefit from course "Applied Econometric
Policy Evaluation" offered at the Bachelor of Economics,
University of Copenhagen or similar courses.”
Schedule:
2 hours lectures 1 to 2 times a week from week 36 to 50 (except
week 42).
Schema:
The overall schema for the BA 3rd year and Master can be seen at
KUnet:
MSc in Economics => "Courses and teaching" =>
"Planning and overview" => "Your timetable"
BA i Økonomi/KA i Økonomi => "Kurser og undervisning"
=> "Planlægning og overblik" => "Dit
skema"
Timetable and venue:
To see the time and location of lectures please press the link
under "Timetable"/"Se skema" at the right side
of this page (E means Autumn).
You can find the similar information partly in English at
https://skema.ku.dk/ku2223/uk/module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for
respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-E22; [Name of course]”
-Select Report Type: “List – Weekdays”
-Select Period: “Efterår/Autumn”
Press: “ View Timetable”
Please be aware:
- The schedule of the lectures can change without the participants´
acceptance. If this occur, you can see the new schedule in your
personal timetable at KUnet, in the app myUCPH and through the
links in the right side of this course description and at the link
above.
- It is the students´s own responsibility continuously throughout
the study to stay informed about their study, their teaching, their
schedule, their exams etc. through the curriculum of the study
programme, the study pages at KUnet, student messages, the course
description, the Digital Exam portal, Absalon, the personal schema
at KUnet and myUCPH app etc.
The Students can receive oral feedback on request during the two workshops.
The lecturer gives collective feedback on the workshop reports during the lectures.
Office hours: The lecturer offers office-hours. The lecturer informs when and where.
for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK)
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
- Open University students - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
On-site written exam, 3 hours under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- Individual ITX-exam in the exam venues of the university.
- Exam registration requirements
-
To qualify for the exam the student must during the semester and not later than the given deadlines hand in and have approved two workshop reports.
The reports can be written individually or by groups of maximum three students.
- Aid
- Without aids
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
for the written exam.
An oral re-examination may be with external assessment. - Exam period
-
Exam information:
The examination date can be found in the exam schedule here
The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. is available at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK).
- Re-exam
-
The reexam is a 20 min. oral exam without preparation time.
No aids allowed during the examination.
Same exam requirements as for the ordinary exam.
Reexam info:
The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule here
Exact day, time and place is available in Digital Exam in February.
More info: Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor.
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
In order to obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
In order to obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 161
- Exam
- 3
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AØKA08035U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Go to 'Signup' for information about registration and enrollment.
- Price
-
Information about admission and tuition fee: Master and Exchange Programme, credit students and guest students (Open University)
- Schedulegroup
-
and venue:
- For teaching: Go to 'Remarks'.
- For exam and re-sits: Go to 'Exam'. - Studyboard
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Jakob Egholt Søgaard (3-6e69774469677372326f7932686f)
Teacher
See "Course Coordinators"
Please read "Remarks" regarding the schedule of the
teaching.
Are you BA- or KA-student?
Courseinformation of students