Spring 2002

ECN 3851, section 001 Dr. Dao

Public Finance Office: Coleman 2365

Office Phone: 581-6329

Office Hours: 14:00-14:50 MW

15:30-16:20 TR

or by appointment

TEXT: Joseph E. Stiglitz, Economics of the Public Sector, Norton,

third edition, 2000.

EXAM: Two exams and a comprehensive Final. Exams consist of objective and

short-answer questions.

EXAM SCHEDULE: First during the 6th week of classes (Feb. 11-15, 2002)

Second during the 12th week of classes (Apr. 1-5, 2002)

Final on Thursday, May 2, 2002, at 2:45 p.m.

QUIZZES: 12 weekly homework assignments @ 5 points each. There are no make-up assignments.

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN: First Exam 25%

Second Exam 35%

Homework 10%

Final 30%

CLASS ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend class. Three unexcused

absences may affect final grade. Two late arrivals will count as one unexcused absence unless I am notified ahead of time.

NOTE: If you have a documented disability and wish to receive academic

accommodations, please contact the Coordinator of the Office of Disability Services (581-6583) as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

  1. INTRODUCTION

Consumer Choice Theory (Lecture notes)

Introduction (Chapter 2: pp. 37-47; Chapter 4: pp. 88-90; Chapter 5)

  1. MARKET FAILURE AND PUBLIC CHOICE

Market Failure: Public Goods and Externalities (Chapter 4: pp. 79-80; Chapter 6: pp.

128-135, pp. 141-148; Chapter 9: pp. 215-222)

Public Choice (Chapter 7)

  1. EXPENDITURE ANALYSIS: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

Principles of Expenditure Analysis (Lecture notes)

Food Stamps, Unemployment Insurance, and College Subsidies (Lecture notes;

Chapter 16)

Financing Health Care (Chapter 12)

Social Security (Chapter 14)

  1. TAX ANALYSIS

Principles of Tax Analysis (Chapters 17-20)

The Federal Individual Income Tax (Chapter 22)

The Corporation Income Tax (Chapter 23)

Taxation of Capital (Chapter 21)

Reform of the Tax System (Chapter 25)

  1. INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND FISCAL FEDERALISM

Analyzing Income Transfer Programs (Chapter 15)

Fiscal Federalism (Chapter 26)