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Public Finance Syllabus

Public finance

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Cristine Bathan
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80 views

Public Finance Syllabus

Public finance

Uploaded by

Cristine Bathan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Syllabus: Public Finance

Course Title: Public Finance


Course Code: PFN 301
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: [Instructor's Name]
Semester: [Fall/Spring, Year]

Course Description:
Public Finance examines the role of government in the economy, focusing on the
allocation, distribution, and stabilization functions of public sector finance. The
course covers the theoretical and practical aspects of government revenue,
expenditure, and debt, exploring how public policies impact economic efficiency and
equity. Students will engage with topics like taxation, government budgeting, public
goods, social insurance, and fiscal federalism.

Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Understand the fundamental principles and theories of public finance.
2. Analyze the role of government in economic activities.
3. Evaluate the efficiency and equity implications of various tax systems.
4. Assess the economic impact of government expenditures and budgetary
policies.
5. Discuss the principles and challenges of fiscal federalism.
6. Critically analyze current issues in public finance, including social insurance
and public debt.

Course Outline:
Week 1-2: Introduction to Public Finance
 Definition and scope of public finance
 Historical evolution of public finance
 The role of government in the economy: Allocation, Distribution, and
Stabilization functions
Week 3-4: Public Goods and Externalities
 Characteristics of public goods
 Market failure and the need for public intervention
 Externalities and government policies
Week 5-6: Taxation and Revenue Systems
 Principles of taxation: Equity, Efficiency, Simplicity, and Revenue Sufficiency
 Types of taxes: Income tax, consumption tax, property tax, etc.
 Tax incidence and economic effects of taxation
 Tax evasion and avoidance
Week 7: Midterm Examination
Week 8-9: Government Expenditures
 Theories of public expenditure
 Public expenditure on health, education, and welfare
 Cost-benefit analysis in public spending
 Government budgeting and fiscal policy
Week 10-11: Public Debt
 Nature and types of public debt
 The burden of public debt
 Debt management and sustainability
 The role of international institutions in public debt management
Week 12-13: Fiscal Federalism
 Division of fiscal responsibilities between different levels of government
 Intergovernmental transfers and grants
 Fiscal decentralization and its implications
 Case studies of federal systems
Week 14: Social Insurance and Welfare Programs
 The economics of social insurance
 Public pensions, unemployment insurance, and healthcare
 The welfare state: Concepts and critiques
Week 15: Current Issues in Public Finance
 Tax reforms and challenges
 Public finance in developing countries
 Globalization and public finance
 Climate change and environmental taxation
Week 16: Final Examination

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