Ateneo - UPO

Public Economics is an integrated course consisting of two modules: Economics of Taxation (ECOTAX) and Economics of Public Policy (PUBLIC POLICY). The course Public Economics examines public intervention in modern economies, focusing on the theoretical and empirical economic aspects of taxation and the main public policies.

For Economics of Taxation (ECOTAX):
Stiglitz, J. E. and Rosengard J. K., Economics of the public sector, 4th Edition, W.W. Norton & Company.

For Economics of Public Policy (PUBLIC POLICY):
P. Bosi (ultima ed.), Corso di Scienza delle Finanze, il Mulino Bologna (capp. 5, 6, 7, 8)
Altri testi di riferimento:
Arachi G. e D’Antoni, M. (ultima edizione), Scienza delle finanze, Il Mulino Bologna, capp. 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5, 6) + integrazioni.
Rosen, H. S., Gayer, T. e Rapallini, C. (ultima edizione), Scienza delle Finanze, McGraw-Hill (capp. 8, 10, 11, 12, 21) + integrazioni
Stiglitz, J. E. and Rosengard J. K., Economics of the public sector, 4th Edition, W.W. Norton & Company (ch. 13, 14, 15, 16,26, 27, 28)

Additional materials (papers, reports, etc.) will be suggested in class.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will understand the economic rationale for public intervention and taxation, the main public policy instruments and the theoretical foundations of tax systems.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will be able to apply economic theory to the analysis of the main areas of public intervention (e.g. pensions, health care, education, assistance, unemployment benefits ) and of the main taxes, using microdata to evaluate the effects of public policies and tax reforms on efficiency and equity.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGEMENT: Students will be able to critically assess the main issues related to public intervention and taxation and autonomously evaluate future policy and tax reforms.

Teaching is primarily delivered through lectures (DE), while regularly incorporating interactive teaching activities (DI), including questions addressed to students, discussion of the topics covered, and the analysis of case studies and empirical research. DE and DI components are integrated within class sessions and therefore cannot be clearly separated in terms of teaching hours or ECTS credits.

Principles of Economics (Microeconomics and Macroeconomics) and Public Economics/Public Finance.

The course consists of lectures, hands-on sessions, 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.

The final examination consists of two written assessments, one for each module. Further details on the assessment methods for each module are provided in the relevant syllabus.

The final grade is awarded by the Examination Board on the basis of an overall assessment of the two written assessments.

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale. The following grade ranges correspond to the indicated levels of achievement:

* 18–21/30: knowledge of the essential course content and ability to apply economic analysis tools, although with some uncertainty;
* 22–24/30: adequate knowledge of the course content and a satisfactory ability to apply economic analysis tools and support answers with appropriate arguments;
* 25–27/30: in-depth knowledge of the course content, a good ability to apply economic analysis tools and to provide well-founded answers;
* 28–30/30: comprehensive and rigorous knowledge of the course content, full command of economic analysis tools, independent judgement, and the ability to develop clear and well-supported arguments.

Honours may be awarded by the Examination Board on the basis of the overall performance across the two modules. This requires an exceptionally thorough level of preparation, full command of the topics covered, and the ability to critically assess the policies examined.

The programme is structured as follows:
1) General principles of taxation (ECOTAX)
2) Empirical effects of taxation on equity and efficiency (ECOTAX)
3) Practical sessions on the redistributive analysis of taxation using STATA© and ChatGPT (ECOTAX)
4) The Welfare State: historical background, models and financing (PUBLIC POLICY)
5) Main public policies (pension systems, education, social assistance, unemployment benefits, and fiscal policy in the European Union) (PUBLIC POLICY).

By the end of the course, students will be able to apply the theoretical and empirical tools of Public Economics to analyse and critically evaluate the main issues related to public intervention and taxation in modern economies, understanding their effects on efficiency, equity and income redistribution.