Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Master in economics : general (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits | |||
| Master in economics : general (60 ECTS) | 5 crédits | |||
| Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) | 5 crédits |
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
The course studies the activities of the public sector in its functions of resource allocation and redistribution.
After a review of government and public sector structures, classical issues of public goods, social choice and externalities are addressed, including in the area of environmental policy.
Then, tax policy is studied, based on the principles of equity (progressivity, capacity to pay, etc.) and efficiency. We will discuss the fundamental results of optimal taxation (direct and indirect taxes) and their implications for real world tax and social policy making.
Finally, the architecture of social protection systems (assistance and insurance) is analyzed, both from a theoretical and an empirical point of view. A special focus is placed on behavioral incentives as well as synergies and interactions with tax policy.
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 and student assignments.
Practical details of student assignments will be communicated in due course through the website of the course. 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, hybrid learning)
Remote course
Recommended or required readings
The main reference book is
Gruber, J., Public Finance and Public Policy. 7th edition, 2022, Macmillan.
Course slides and shorter texts will be provided through the course website.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- Remote
written exam
Written work / report
Additional information:
Written work
The group work will be graded based on the written documents, the oral presentations, and the participation in the discussion.
Grade
Online written exam in the form of a multiple choice questionnaire on a ULiege platform (1/2).
Student assignment (1/2).
Note: The grade of the group work counts for both exam sessions.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
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