Ateneo - UPO

BOSI P., Corso di scienza delle finanze, Il Mulino, Bologna, latest edition.

Suggested:
BOSI P., GUERRA M. C., I tributi nell’economia italiana, Il Mulino, Bologna, latest edition.

The course consists of lectures, exercise classes and possibly testimonials and seminars.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Public Economics (6 ECTS credits) is one of the two modules comprising the annual course in Public Economics and Economic Policy (12 ECTS credits).
The final examination is written and consists of two separate assessments, one for each module, each lasting 45 minutes. To pass the exam, students must meet the following requirements:
• have fulfilled the Economics prerequisite before registering for each test;
• take the two assessments no more than one year apart;
• achieve a mark of at least 18/30 in each assessment.
The final grade is awarded jointly by the Board of Examiners based on an overall assessment of the results obtained in the two assessments.
The assessment for the Public Economics module consists of two parts.
Part 1 – Multiple-choice questions
The first part consists of 10 multiple-choice questions, each with three possible answers, only one of which is correct. The questions cover all the topics addressed during the course: welfare economics, market failures, the government budget and public administration, public debt, and taxation, including both theoretical and applied aspects.
This section is intended solely to assess students’ basic knowledge of the entire course syllabus. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. No points are deducted for incorrect or unanswered questions.
Part 2 – Open-ended questions
The second part consists of 2 open-ended questions, each divided into several items and sub-items. These questions are designed to assess:
• knowledge and understanding of specific course topics;
• the ability to apply the tools of economic analysis;
• independent judgement;
• the ability to develop clear and well-supported economic arguments.
Each question is worth up to 10 points. Full marks are awarded for answers that are complete, correct, and adequately justified.
The questions may cover the following topics: welfare economics, market failures, public debt, and taxation, including both theoretical and applied aspects. Depending on the topic, students may be required to use either a graphical or an analytical approach. Where expressly requested, answers and results must be explained and/or discussed. Correct answers that do not include the required explanation or discussion will not receive full marks.
Part 2 will be assessed only if the student has answered at least 6 of the 10 multiple-choice questions correctly.
The overall mark for the assessment, expressed on a 30-point scale, is calculated by adding together the points awarded in the two parts. The following levels of achievement correspond to the different mark ranges:
• 18–21/30: knowledge of the essential course content and the ability to apply the tools of economic analysis, although with some uncertainty;
• 22–24/30: adequate knowledge of the course content and a satisfactory ability to apply the tools of economic analysis and support answers with appropriate reasoning;
• 25–27/30: thorough knowledge of the course content, a good ability to apply the tools of economic analysis, and the ability to provide well-reasoned answers;
• 28–30/30: comprehensive and rigorous knowledge of the course content, full command of the tools of economic analysis, independent judgement, and the ability to develop clear and well-supported economic arguments.
Honours may be awarded to students achieving 30/30 whose answers demonstrate particularly thorough preparation, full command of the subject matter, and a high degree of independent judgement.

The program is organized in three main sections:
1) General principles of the public intervention in markets. Economic justifications of the public intervention (asymmetric information, externalities, public goods, limited competition) and limits;
2) The Public Administration and public finance in Italy. The public budget process and the public debt theory;
3) Economic analysis of the public revenues, with a focus on personal income and corporate taxes. Presentation of the Italian tax system;
4) Economic analysis of the welfare expenditures (outline).

Understanding of the role played by the state in the economic system and its main methods of financing (taxation and public debt) Understanding of the economic effects of the taxes and basic knowledge of the Italian tax system. Understanding of the main Welfare expenditures.