This is a course on public economics at the master level. We learn important theoretical and empirical concepts used in modern public economics. Emphasis is placed on topics such as education, social insurance, unemployment, health care, retirement, welfare programs, income redistribution, and the taxation of labor.

Students will develop critical reading skills and knowledge to interpret, evaluate, and critique research articles in public economics. They will also present and discuss such articles. This will help them develop presentation skills. In addition, this course helps students to understand and participate in public policy debates. Another aspect of this course is to find a possible research topic and question for a master's thesis.

Students are expected to attend the course (max. 2 absences).

• Attend the course/lectures
• Read selected text book chapters and research articles
• Group discussion in class
• Present and discuss research articles
• Homework assignments

Students are expected to read assigned readings and attend the course. Grades for the course will be based on:

• Homework assignment (20%);
• Classroom presentations (40%);
• Final exam (40%).

The grading scale is as follows:

• Unsatisfactory: x < 60%
• Sufficient: 60%  <  x < 70%
• Satisfactory: 70% <  x < 80%
• Good:  80% < x < 90%
• Excellent:  90% < x < 100%

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This course is designed for graduate students with prior training in microeconomics, public economics (undergraduate level), and econometrics. Ideally, students are be familiar with the instrumental variables (IV) approach, the difference-in-differences (DiD) estimator, and regression discontinuity designs (RDD).

please register via e-mail

We would like to point out that the attendance in the 1. unit of this course is absolutely necessary.

In case you cannot attend the 1. unit of this course please contact the course instructors in advance.