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ECON-S301

Introduction to public economics

academic year
2025-2026
2026-2027

Course teacher(s)

Ilan TOJEROW (Coordinator) and Beni Kouevi-Gath

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

The lectures cover the analysis of externalities, of public and club goods, the assessment of the economic and political drivers of fiscal sustainability, social policy, tax theory and applications, the optimal allocation of responsibilities between the public and the private sector, polytical economy and fiscal federalism. It also includes a brief introduction to cost benefit analysis and modern techniques of impact evaluation of public projects.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

At the end of the course, the students will be able to :

  • Analyze the impact of public policy on the allocation of ressources and the distribution of income in economy- Investigate and predict the effects of public expenditures, regulation and government revenue-raising activities on the efficiency and equity of an economy, by using the appropriate tools of microeconomics and empirical analysis- Conduct and interpret economic analyse.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and corequired courses

Teaching methods and learning activities

Combination of theory lectures (24 hours) and exercise/discussion sessions (21 hours).

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

The main textbook is Gruber, Jonathan (2010 or 2015), Public Finance and Public Policy, both the US (New York: Worth Publishers) and UK (Palgrave) editions are valid. + required readings as specified at the beginning of the course available on the course web site.

Course notes

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

The course develops the following skills (Economics) :

  • Use data mining and management techniques as well as financial modeling to develop decision, evaluation or management tools
  • Comprehensively assess potential solutions using economic, financial and other criteria as relevant to the situation at hand.
  • Solve complex problems arising in economic, financial and public policy contexts to transfer knowledge in realistic solutions to operationalize solutions.
  • Provide economic and financial recommendations and analyses at each stage of the process to keep stakeholders fully informed.

Other information

Contacts

Beni KOUEVI-GATH : Beni.Kouevi-Gath@ulb.be
Ilan TOJEROW : Ilan.Tojerow@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • written examination

written examination

  • Open question with short answer
  • Closed question with Multiple Answers (MAQ)

Written exam – option(s) :

  • In January or August
  • It is closed-book written exam. It covers theory, exercices and reading sessions

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Exam (in January or in August): 100%

  • Theory: 50%
  • Exercises and reading sessions: 50%
Bonus point: 1
  • 0,5 point for students who passed (>10/20) at least 2 out of the 3 online tests
  • 0,5 point for participation in reading sessions
  • But the maximal grade is 20/20

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes