Duration
30h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Substitute(s)
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
Learning unit contents
This course analyzes the public sector concerning the allocation of resources and the redistribution of income.
The course deals with public finance (what, why and how?), externalities, public goods, inequalities (Piketty), social insurance and redistribution and taxation in theory and practice.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Use the tools of economic analysis to understand the role and functioning of the public sector.
The course reinforces the students' competences in the areas of strategy (economic expertise), quality (utilization of analytical tools) and of communication and adaptability (via group tasks).
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Recommended prerequisite: Intermediate microeconomics
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- Lectures
- Group assignment for which the students must apply the theoretical concepts in order to discuss the possible answers to important questions related to public finance. Participation in these group exercises and presence for the related presentations is compulsory. For absences of 50 percent or more, such absences will not be excused even if justified.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
face-to-face, group assignments
Recommended or required readings
Jonathan Gruber (2016) Public Finance and Public Policy, 5th edition, Macmillan (or an earlier edition)
Piketty:
- Piketty, E. Saez (2014) "Inequality in the long run", Science, 344(6186), pp.838-843.
- Piketty, G. Zucman (2014)"Capital is back: wealth-income ratios in rich countries 1700-2010", Quarterly Journal of Economics, pp. 1255-1310.
- Milanovic (2014)"The Return of 'Patrimonial Capitalism': A Review of Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century", Journal of Economic Literature, 52(2), pp.519-534.
André Decoster, Sergio Perelman, Dieter Vandelannoote, Toon Vanheukelom and Gerlinde Verbist (2015) A bird's eye view on 20 years of tax-benefit reforms in Belgium, EUROMOD Working Paper EM10/15 (updated version forthcoming)
Assessment methods and criteria
Compulsory assignments during the semester. (20%)
Written exam. (80%)
NOTE: Grades from group exercices will count towards both exam sessions (June and August).
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
2nd semester
Contacts
Assistant Jonathan Denomerenge, Bât. B31, Tel. : +32 4 366 30 42, email: jdenomerenge@ulg.ac.be
Professor Gerlinde Verbist, email: gerlinde.verbist@uantwerpen.be