Public Finance

Module title	Public Finance
Module code	BEE2033
Academic year	2021/2
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Shaun Grimshaw (Convenor)

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.

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. 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)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
27	123	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	22	Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	5	Tutorials
Guided Independent Study	123	Reading, research, reflection, preparation for exams.

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
In-class tutorial questions	Varied	1-7	In-class feedback
Online task	Varied	1-7	In-class feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Individual Assignment	25	1000 words	1-7	Written feedback
Individual Assignment	75	3000 words	1-7	Written feedback

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
Individual assignment	Individual assignment (25%) (1,000 words)	1-7	August Reassessment Period
Individual assignment	Individual assignment (75%) (3,000 words)	1-7	August Reassessment Period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

J. Cullis and P. Jones, (2009) Public Finance and Public Choice, 3rd ed. Oxford University Press

H. Rosen (2014) Public Finance, 10^th ed. McGraw Hill

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?	Yes
Origin date	01/09/1976
Last revision date	26/08/2020