Handbook home
Public Economics (ECON90027)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The general problems associated with the role of the state in the economy. Topics will be chosen from the theory of the state; the role of government in promoting economic growth; collective choice mechanisms; the economic analysis of bureaucracy; public goods; social insurance; national debt; and taxation issues.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Describe differences between positive and normative theories in public economics;
- Explain the economic rationale for the existence of the state;
- Explain the growth of the government sector over the twentieth century;
- Derive the criteria identifying the optimal size of the government;
- Analyse different economic theories of the bureaucracy;
- Explain the paradox of voting;
- Analyse the positive and normative properties of collective decision-making mechanisms;
- Explain the implications of Arrow's Impossibility Theorem for public economics;
- Critically evaluate different models of the political business cycle;
- Analyse the implications of countries' stocks of public debt; and
- Explain the principles of optimal taxation.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:
- High level of development: problem solving; application of theory to practice; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; evaluation of data and other information; statistical reasoning.
- Moderate level of development: oral communication; written communication; synthesis of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
- Some level of development: collaborative learning.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECON40001 | Advanced Microeconomics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECON90002 | Microeconomics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECON40011 | Public Economics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 2-hour examination. Due end-of-semester (70%)
- Three 800 word assignments [2400 words]. Due weeks 5, 8 and 11 of semester. 3 x10% each (30%)
Note: Successful completion of this subject requires a pass (50%) in the final exam.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Timothy Moore Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Three hours of classes per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022