Public Economics (ECON40011)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
| 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 the fundamental features of government activities, expenditure and taxation, including the main types of taxation and expenditure;
- Understand the key equity and efficiency issues related to using different forms of taxation and transfers;
- Understand the theoretical and practical issues related to designed social insurance systems, such as unemployment benefits and health insurance;
- Evaluate the results from empirical analyses of changes in government policies; and
- Critically evaluate policies and policy debates from a public economics perspective.
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: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- BH-COM Bachelor of Commerce (Degree with Honours)
- Economics specialisation (formal) in the BH-ARTS Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours)
AND
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECON40001 | Advanced Microeconomics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECON90027 | Public Economics | Not available in 2025 |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Analytical assignment comprised of both long and short answers
| Week 5 | 10% |
Analytical assignment comprised of both long and short answers
| Week 8 | 10% |
Analytical assignment comprised of both long and short answers
| Week 11 | 10% |
End-of-semester exam
| During the examination period | 70% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
Not available in 2025
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Last updated: 4 March 2025