Study Programmes 2015-2016
ECON0196-2  
Public Economics
Duration :
30h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in economics : general (120 ECTS)5
Master in economics : general (120 ECTS)5
Master in economics : general (120 ECTS)5
Master in economics : general (60 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Alain Jousten
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
A number of topics in public economics will be covered, relating both to public expenditures and income. The approach is both normative and positive. We study direct and indirect taxation: incidence, incentives and optimal taxation. We also include social choice aspects, optimal social insurance systems, as well as the design and effects of real-world retirement income systems in the face of rational agents.
Learning outcomes of the course :
  • Present the main reasons why the government intervenes in market economics, what are the limits of these interventions and how private agents react to such interventions.
  • Develop the critical sense.
  • Propose socially and individually responsible solutions, respecting the principles of good governance.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Compulsory prerequisites
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Introductory Public Finance (see course Finances Publiques)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
  • lectures
  • exercise sessions
  • compulsory readings
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
Reference texts
A reading list composed of compulsory readings and optional readings is proposed each year through the course website, with a focus on topics with societal importance. (lol@ site: lola.hec.ulg.ac.be)
Assessment methods and criteria :
written exam
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
2nd semester
Contacts :
Professor
A.Jousten, Bât. B31 E-Mail : ajousten@ulg.ac.be
Assistant
Xavier Flawinne, Bât. B31 Email: xflawinne@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Reading list
The reading list composed of compulsory readings and optional readings will be available on Lol@ 2015-2016.