This course aims to attract students with an interest for further specialization in the field of public economics.We learn more about important theoretical and empirical concepts used in modern public economics. Emphasis is placed on topics such as economics of value added tax (VAT and pass-through of VAT changes, tax evasion, personal income taxation (including recent policy reforms in Austria and the commuting tax allowance), corporate income tax (including developments in the international corporate tax reform debate),  redistribution through the government, health insurance.

Participants acquire advanced knowledge of modern public economics, together with relevant policy issues currently on the political agenda. In addition, they gain an understanding of the way in which economic analysis using these concepts and models can provide insight into the related policy debates. Successful completion should provide the background necessary to understand current public policy debates as well as more advanced research topics in public economics, with a view to completing a thesis in the field.

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:

• 40% Classroom presentations (slides & oral)
• 20% Homework assignment
• 40% Final exam

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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Prior attendance of the course "Public Economics" (Applied Track) is of advantage.