Module
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.
The assessment structure on this module is subject to review and may change before the start of the new academic year. Any changes will be clearly communicated to you before the start of term and if you wish to change module as a result of this you can do so in the module change window.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Public Finance |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEE2033 |
| Module level: | 2 |
| Academic year: | 2023/4 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 15 |
| ECTS value: | 7.5 |
| Pre-requisites: | BEE1029 or BEE1034 or (BEE1036 and BEE1037) |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 11 Duration (weeks) - term 2:0 Duration (weeks) - term 3:0 |
Module aims
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.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 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
- 5. deal with issues of public finance using both theoretical and empirical contributions
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. analyse critically issues in both theoretical and practical contexts
- 7. develop written communication skills
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 |
Syllabus plan
• The Role of the Public Sector
• Principles of Taxation
• Issues of Public Expenditure
• Taxation Policy and Practice
Indicative learning resources - 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
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
None
Origin date
01/09/1976
Last revision date
10/03/2023