Course 2020-2021 a.y.

20608 - WELFARE AND PUBLIC ECONOMICS

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 24
PPA (8 credits - I sem. - OB  |  SECS-P/03)
Course Director:
PAOLA PROFETA

Classes: 24 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 24: PAOLA PROFETA


Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

The course starts from the principles of welfare analysis, and apply them to study how government should intervene in the economy to improve social welfare. Government intervention in the economy is studied using key formal models and empirical analysis. The course then analyzes how public policies may improve social welfare in a changing world. We answer the following questions: What is the role of government intervention in the economy under the pressures of the ageing of population, the slow-down of economic growth, the increase of poverty and inequality? We also analyze policies related to migration flows and to the new role of women in the economy and society. The course trains students to understand the need for and the limitation of a public sector, as well as how the state intervention in the economy can be improved. Students also learn and apply welfare analysis to public policies. They also learn how public policies in different countries are different, and they are stimulated in thinking about why they differ in the ways they do.

CONTENT SUMMARY

This course provides a general introduction to the theory and practice of welfare and public economics. The course combines theoretical models with empirical evidence. The instructor will

present the main questions addressed and selected tools used in public economics. These tools are

then applied to the spheres of public revenues (taxation) and public expenditure. The areas of study are the following

 

1.      Welfare Economics

2.      Pension and Social Security

3.      Implementing Public Policy Reforms

4.       Public Policy Reforms in the Real World

5.       Gender equality and public policy

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Understand Tools of Welfare Analysis.
  • Describe Policy Challenges in Tax Design and Tax Reforms.
  • Explore Policy Challenges in Public Expenditures Programs.
  • Understand the role of pensions and pension reforms.
  • Explore government Intervention in Specific Contexts: migration and gender.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Apply Tools of Welfare Analysis.
  • Evaluate and discuss Policy Challenges in Tax Design and Tax Reforms.
  • Evaluate and discuss Policy Challenges in Public Expenditures Programs.
  • Elaborate and assess the role of pensions and pension reforms.
  • Evaluate and discuss government Intervention in Specific Contexts: migration and gender.

Teaching methods

  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
  • Group assignments

DETAILS

Guest lectures: lectures given by international experts in the areas of public finance. They will be connected on distance. Students will be in class with the professor and will interact with the speaker on distance

 

Group works: Students will be divided into groups. Each group is required to prepare a “policy brief” for presentation (30 minutes with slides) and discussion (15 minutes) in class. Topics od the policy brief are discussed in advance with the groups. Students are guided in their work by the professor and the teaching assistant.

Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
   x x
  • Group assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
 x    
  • Active class participation (virtual, attendance)
 x    

ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

Written exam (100%). The exam consists of two parts, which can be done separetely (first and second partial) or together. The final grade is the average of the two parts. The final grade should be sufficient, even though one of the two parts is not.

Each part consists in several questions for a total amount of 40 minutes. Questions are a mix of multiple choice and open questions. Multiple choice questions have the goal of assessing the general knowledge on all topics of the course with a clear understanding on what is the role of government in the economic process. Open questions have the goal of verifying the logical skills developed by the students and the competence of writing in a focused and organized manner what is the role of public sector in specific areas of interventions.

The expected results to be assessed are the following: describing, identifying, analyzing and evaluating the main goals and ways of action of government in the economy in the context of European public policies and specific measures.

 


Teaching materials


ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

slides and material on black board

Papers in the reserve course
Last change 08/09/2020 19:21