ECM184-Economics of Public Policy

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Giovanni Razzu
Email: g.razzu@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module introduces and examines key economic tools for the analysis of public policy. Threshold concepts and tools will be applied to and illustrated through a range of public policy problems. Seminars will enable and further prepare students to apply critical analysis to current public policy issues.

Aims:
The aim of the module is to provide students with key micro- and macro-economic tools used to analyse and evaluate public policies. Policies will be examined according to efficiency, equity and practicality criteria with seminar time devoted to debating the meaning, measurement and relative importance of these criteria under different assumptions, global perspectives and economic systems.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module, students should:

• have developed an understanding of key economic tools and concepts employed in economic analysis of public policy;


• be able to identify and critique key assumptions associated with the economic tools and concepts;


• be able to analyse and evaluate alternative policy outcomes against different evaluation criteria (efficiency, equity and practicality).

Additional outcomes:
Strengthen students' understanding of how economic analysis informs public policy; develop debating and analytical writing skills; present a coherent argument orally and in writing on topics in public economics; introduction to global perspectives and socio-culturally contingent understanding of evaluation criteria.

Outline content:

The module is roughly structured into two parts. In the first part, students will be taught the key theoretical approaches in both macroeconomics and welfare economics to understand the rationale for government intervention. The second part will focus on applying the key concepts to a range of real-world issues, such as inequality, financial and debt crises, the labour market, education and so on.

Global context:
Many public policy challenges are common to governments across the globe - use of international case studies in lectures and seminars will enrich the understanding of key tools and concepts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures will be devoted to formally covering the main module material and to introducing theoretical tools. Seminars will be used to explore key concepts and tools in practice and develop a global perspective of criteria for evaluation of public policies. Attendance at seminars is compulsory. Students are expected to prepare for seminars and actively contribute to discussions and debate as students' experience, prior learning and cultural context will form an essential part of broadening the perspective of the assessable learning outcomes. Lecture slides and additional teaching material (news articles, BBC/ABC podcasts and academic articles) will be posted on blackboard. Assessment is by coursework only and feedback on coursework will form an integral part of the learning process.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars	9
Tutorials	8
Guided independent study:	163
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	70
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A class test will be undertaken during the autumn term with the aim to assess elements of the material covered in lectures.  This test carries a weighting of 30%.

Students will also undertake a 4,000 word written assignment, choosing between two options that will test students' knowledge of policy analysis and policy making economic briefing, which will carry a weight of 70%. 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum weighted average coursework mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment will be by submission of an essay written on a different topic by the last working day of August of the same year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023