Duration
24h Th, 12h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course studies public sector activities from the perspective of the functions of resource allocation and redistribution.
It discusses the role of the public sector in the economy, the difference between private and public goods, the question of social choice as well as externalities. Examples from the field of health, retirement and/or education are analyzed.
The main principles of tax policy (taxes, duties and levies) are exposed: equity (progressivity, capacity to pay, etc.) and efficiency. Key results from the theory of optimal taxation (direct and indirect) will be discussed. Various corollaries will also be analyzed, such as the results of equivalence between tax instruments and the concept of tax expenditure.
Finally, the main categories of taxes (PIT, CIT, VAT, excise duties) and contributions will be analyzed in light of these economic concepts.
Even years only (not organized in 2025-2026)
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Use the tools of economic analysis to understand the role and functioning of the public sector.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Introductory microeconomics
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures and student assignments.
Practical details of student assignments will be communicated in due course through the website of the course. Participation in these group exercises and presence for the related presentations is compulsory. For absences of 50 percent or more, such absences will not be excused even if justified.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Additional information:
Lectures in presence/distance-learning.
Exercise sessions and student presentation in presence learning.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- Microsoft Teams
Further information:
Course slides and shorter texts will be provided through the Teams website of the course.
The main course manual is:
Gruber, J., Public Finance and Public Policy. 7th edition 2022, Macmillan.
Optional textbooks:
- Hillman, A. (2019), Public Finance and Public Policy: A Political Economy Perspective on the Responsibilities and Limitations of Government, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- Remote
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )
Written work / report
Additional information:
Written work
The work, the presentation thereof and the participation in the discussion will be graded
Grades
Online written exam in the form of a multiple choice on a ULiege platform (2/3).
Student assignment (1/3).
Note: The grade of the student presentation and discussion counts for both exam sessions.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
2nd semester
Contacts
Professor
A.Jousten, Bât. B31,
Tél. : +32 4 366 31 98,
e-mail : ajousten@uliege.be
Assistant
Giulia Klinges, Bât. B31
Tel. : +32 4 366 30 42
Email: gklinges@uliege.be