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Public Finance

Module description

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.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to reinforce your 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 you 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. explain the role of the public sector
• 2. analyse important issues in public expenditure
• 3. analyse important issues in taxation
• 4. explain and discuss 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)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• Gruber, J. (2022). Public Finance and Public Policy (7th ed). Macmillan Learning. 
• Rosen, H. S., & Geyer, T. (2014). Public Finance (10th ed). McGraw Hill Education. 
• Cullis, J.& Jones, P. (2009).Public Finance and Public Choice (3rd ed). Oxford University Press