Duration
30h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
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.
It discusses the role of the public sector, the difference between private and public goods, public choice and externalities.
Tax policy relies on two broad principles: equity (progressivity, tax capacity) and efficiency. We outline the main results of optimal (direct and indirect) taxation. The concept of tax expenditures is introduced.
The main categories of taxes are reviewed: Income taxes: progressivity and tax base, individual versus household basis. Labor taxation: incidence, negative income tax. Consumption tax: expenditure tax, ad valorem versus unitary taxes, value added tax (VAT), excises. Corporate profit tax: objective, incidence, depreciation allowances.
Finally, We use cost-benefit analysis, voting mechanisms, etc to analyze the main expenditure programs (health, retirement, education, etc).
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 - Compulsory group exercises applying the theoretical concepts in the context of realistic scenarios.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
Course manuals:
Gruber, J. (2016), Public Finance and Public Policy (5th ed.). Macmillan.
Lectures facultatives conseillées :
- Tresch, R. (2008) Public Sector Economics. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Hillman, A. (2019), Public Finance and Public Policy: A Political Economy Perspective on the Responsibilities and Limitations of Government, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press
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
Professor
A.Jousten, Bât. B31,
Tél. : +32 4 366 31 98,
e-mail : ajousten@uliege.be
Assistant
Giulia Klinges, Bât. B31
Tel. : +32 4 366 30 42
Email: gklinges@uliege.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
As a result of the COVID-19 measures implemented by the university, learning activities up until 12/3 took place in class, with the remainder of class material being seen in (assisted) self-learning with the help of the reference book, as well as the course slides shared through the LOLA platform.
Assessment subjects
On LOLA, you can find a document with the list of chapters you need to study for the exam. To keep your total workload manageable in these difficult times, some chapters were rendered optional. This means that you should go through these optional chapters for your general education, but this will not be exam material. In the same document you can find the chapters of the reference book and their correspondence with the slides.
Assessment methods
The final grade for the course will be composed of 2 parts. On the one hand, a multiple choice questionnaire implemented on ecampus that will count for 50 per cent of the final grade. On the other hand, the personal paper that is part of this course, that will be reweighed to 50 percent of the final grade.
Contacts
gklinges@uliege.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
On LOLA, you can find a document with the list of chapters you need to study for the exam. To keep your total workload manageable in these difficult times, some chapters were rendered optional. This means that you should go through these optional chapters for your general education, but this will not be exam material. In the same document you can find the chapters of the reference book and their correspondence with the slides.
Assessment methods
A multiple choice questionnaire implemented on ecampus that will count for 100 per cent of the final grade.
Contacts
gklinges@uliege.be