The aim of this course is to provide basic knowledge of government intervention into liberal economies, using a microeconomic approach, with regard to fundamental normative and positive issues of public expenditure. The focus is on economic analysis of public sector policies and services.

Contents of this course are:

- research questions and methods of public finance and public economics;

- basic knowledge of microeconomics;

- market failures: issues of efficiency and equity (with focus on public goods);

- collective choice and institutions;

- public utilities and fiscal federalism;

- government intervention into the economy: instruments; socio-economic evaluations; pros and cons;

- public expenditure and welfare state, especially education, social services, health care services, pension schemes.

At the end of this course, on the economic analysis of social services and public policies, students should be able to demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of reasons and instruments of government intervention into liberal economies, especially with regard to the provision of social services (knowledge and understanding). Students should also be able to understand and discuss the fundamental pros and cons of government intervention, its limits and trade-offs (applying knowledge and understanding) . It is also expected that students will develop basic abilities to analyze and evaluate collective and social issues from the economics perspective (making judgements). Studens should be able to use technical economic language and communicate economic concepts and issues appropriately (communication skills). Students should be able to autonomously read texts, listen to discussions and think of economic policy matters (learning skills). 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures, case studies and seminars.

Attendance

At least 26 hours in classroom.

Course books

Giorgio Brosio, Economia pubblica moderna, Giappichelli, 2010 (students can skip chapters 7, 8, 12-14).

Assessment

Students will be given a written test, with open questions, in order to assess whether the learning objectives of this course are met, and to what extent. The written test will last 45 minutes and they can use graphs to explain and discuss the questions asked. An oral examination may follow, provided the student passes the written test and wishes to try to improve the mark. Studentes can get up to 30 points in their written test, which is passed with 18 points. The student can get up to 30 points in test is  so student appropriate, the written test. The number of points assigned to students will be based on degrees of their knowledge, ability to explain economic problems, goodness of their answers, ability in the use of basic mathematical tools and provision of examples. The first three criteria are the ones that will bear the most in their evaluation.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

Less than 26 hours in classroom.

Course books

Giorgio Brosio, Economia pubblica moderna, Giappichelli, 2010 (students can skip chapters 8, 12-14).

Assessment

Please see information provided for attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Students with a good command of the Italian language are invited to look at further details provided in Italian (for this course). Students can request to sit the final exam in English, with an alternative reading list.