Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit develops the advanced economic analysis needed to justify and evaluate public policies. The unit offers both theoretical frameworks and empirical methods to understand a wide range of issues in public economics, including public goods, externality, asymmetric information, tax incidence, tax evasion, efficiency and equity of taxation, optimal taxation, income inequality, social security and pension, intergovernmental fiscal relations, application of big data and machine learning to public policies.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) critically evaluate public economic policies with appropriate theories and tools; (2) conduct analysis using relevant economics models and empirical methods; (3) write both descriptive and analytical reports on the key issues facing public economic policies; (4) assess the relative merits of different public policy options based on consideration of both efficiency and equity grounds; and (5) debate over the key issues facing public economic policies with proper concepts, analytical framework, and empirical facts.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) examination; (2) essay; and (3) discussion and presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Shawn Chen
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in BH013 Bachelor of Economics (Honours)
or CM002 Bachelor of Economics and Master of Economics
or BH002 Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
or 42620 Master of Economics
or 42670 Master of Economics
or 41680 Master of Commerce
or
Enrolment in
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
and Successful completion of
144 Points
Contact hours
lectures/tutorials/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.