Public Sector Economics (11224.2)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Public Sector Economics
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online self-paced
On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra School Of Government Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit focusses on the microeconomic role that governments can play in overcoming government failure. Firstly, the policies that governments can implement to correct for market failure and make the economy more efficient. Secondly, the effect of both existing and some potential government policies on equity. Finally, what public choice theory says what government policy will actually be.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Propose how government intervention can correct the allocative inefficiency that can result from the operation of free markets;
2. Analyse public choice theory, including median voter theory and Arrow's impossibility theory and explain how this can result in inefficient outcomes;
3. Analyse the efficiency and equity aspects of Australia's tax and social security systems; and
4. Effectively communicate relevant microeconomic principles behind public policy to policy makers.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Prerequisites

11175 Introduction to Economics

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

6404 Economics of the Public Sector

Assumed knowledge

This unit only requires prior knowledge of basic microeconomic principles and theories, which are covered in the pre-requisite unit Introduction to Economics.
Availability for enrolment in 2027 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online self-paced Dr John Hawkins
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr John Hawkins
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 On-campus Dr John Hawkins
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 Online self-paced Dr John Hawkins
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit .

Required texts

There is no required textbook for this unit. Guidance on appropriate readings will be posted on the CANVAS website..    

The following texts are useful reading:

Useful references

Abelson, P (2012) Public Economics: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill.

Atkinson, A and Stglitz, J (1980) Lectures on Public Finance, McGraw Hill.

Anderson, J. (2003) Public Finance:  Principles and Policies, Hougton Mifflin.

Brown, C and Jackson, P (1990) Public Sector Economics, 4th edition, Blackwell.

Gruber, J (2019), Public Finance and Public Policy, 6th edition, Worth.

Henry, K (2009) Australia's Future Tax System: Report to the Treasurer.

Hyman, D (2005) Public Finance, 8th International edition, Thomson

Rosen, S and Gayer, T (2010) Public Finance, 8th Edition, Irwin/McGraw Hill. 

Musgrave, R. A. and Musgrave, P.B. (1989) Public Finance in Theory and Practice, 5th edition, McGraw Hill.

Stiglitz, J (2015) Economics of the Public Sector, 4th edition, WW Norton.

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

Use of AI is not permitted in this unit

The University's position is that artificial intelligence services must not be used for assessment or assessment preparation by students unless explicitly allowed in the assessment instructions for an assessment task published with the assessment task and/or in the unit outline. That is, an AI service may only be used if:

a) its use is authorised by the unit convener as part of the specified task; and

b) it is used in the way allowed in the assessment instructions and/or unit outline; and

c) its use is appropriately referenced, meaning that the students must reference the use of AI in their assessment in the same way as they reference other source material.

The use of AI has not been specified in the assessment instructions for the unit or in the unit outline and thus, AI is not a permissible resource. 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the , , and 海角射区 (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Students are required to give a presentation. Students who attend tutorials either in person or virtually usually obtain better grades than those that do not.

Required IT skills

Basic familiarity with Microsoft Word. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Next step

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