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ES50125: Public policy analysis

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Economics
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 70%, EX 30%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 70%)
  • Exam (EX 30%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After successful completion of this unit, students should be able to
(i) give an economic account and evaluation of government policies;
(ii) understand and critically assess public policy debates.

Aims: To provide students with practical knowledge and understanding of government policies in various socio-economic realms;
To make students familiar with the main concepts and principles of public policy analysis;
To enable students to apply economic tools to conduct public policy analysis.

Skills: Abstract reasoning (FA); numerical skills (FA); diagrammatic skills (FA); information synthesis (FA); writing skills (FA).

Content: In this unit, we discuss and critically assess government intervention into socio-economic realms such as welfare and social security, labour, education, health and demographics, housing, etc. First, we discuss motivations behind government policies: equality, welfare, efficiency, and correction of negative externalities. Then, we continue with the economic analysis and evaluation of various public policies. This includes, among other things, cost-benefit analysis and policy assessment against various welfare measures. The approach taken in this unit is both theoretical and empirical.

Programme availability:

ES50125 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
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