Public Finance
| Module title | Public Finance |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEE2033 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Rish Singhania () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
Summary:
This module is about fundamental questions in the economics of the public sector: how should decisions be made about whether particular tasks should be undertaken by the public sector or the private sector? It therefore deals with public goods, policies with respect to external effects and so on. The course then develops the criteria by which a tax or possible tax reform can be assessed and applies them to the development of tax policy.
Additional Information:
Internationalisation
The broad scope of this module means internationalisation is embedded in the course content with examples being drawn from different countries as well as an analysis of the tax and public expenditure implications of globalization.
Sustainability
Sustainability is included in the issues involved, for example in the analysis of corrective taxation such as pollution taxes.
Employability
Employability will be enhanced by the development of analytical skills.
Research in Teaching
The module draws on Simon James’ extensive research in the area with a range of his publications on the reading list, including his textbook (with Christopher Nobes), The Economics of Taxation: Principles, Policy and Practice (15th edition 2015), A Dictionary of Taxation, second edition, 2012, viii + 299 pages, Edward Elgar Publishers, Cheltenham and Northampton, Massachusetts and (edited) The Complexity of Tax Simplification: Experiences from around the World, Palgrave Macmillan (2016) and Taxation, Critical Perspectives on the World Economy, Routledge, London and New York, Four volumes, 2002, xi + 1,696 pages.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to reinforce students’ ability to undertake economic analysis and to apply it to a whole range of policy issues relating to the public sector. By the end of the module students will be able to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of public sector activity and assess particular suggestions for improvement. On the revenue side, the module aims to enable individuals to analyse particular taxes and proposed tax reforms in terms of efficiency and equity and other criteria as appropriate.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate a contextual appreciation of the role of the public sector
- 2. demonstrate an understanding and ability to analyse important issues in public expenditure
- 3. demonstrate an understanding and ability to analyse important issues in taxation
- 4. demonstrate an understanding of the principles, policy and practice relating to major taxes
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. deal with issues of public finance using both theoretical and empirical contributions
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. analyse critically issues in both theoretical and practical contexts
- 7. develop written communication skills
Syllabus plan
• The Role of the Public Sector
• Principles of Taxation
• Issues of Public Expenditure
• Taxation Policy and Practice
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Hours | 22 | Lectures |
| Contact Hours | 5 | Tutorials |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class tutorial questions | 1-7 | In-class feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 90 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 90 | 2 hours: 3 questions from a choice of 10 | 1-7 | Performance Summary |
| Essay | 10 | Maximum 1,500 words | 1-7 | Written comments on essay |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 2 hour examination 90% | 1-7 | August Examination Period |
| Essay | Essay (Maximum 1,500 words) 10% | 1-7 | August |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
J. Cullis and P. Jones, (2009) Public Finance and Public Choice, 3rd ed. Oxford University Press
S. James and C. Nobes (2016), The Economics of Taxation: Principles, Policy and Policy, 16th ed., Birmingham: Fiscal Publications.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BEE1029 or BEE1034 or BEE1036 and BEE1037 or BEE1030 and BEE1031 |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/09/1976 |
| Last revision date | 17/10/2018 |
