Economic Policy Analysis II
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ECON3080 | Economics | 3 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- ECON3080
- School
- Economics
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module will introduce students to economic policy analysis, using examples from environmental economics and international trade. The first part of the module is about climate change. We first examine the practice of discounting future outcomes. We will look at the evidence for climate change in the past and predictions for future damage. Combining this with information about abatement options and costs, we can devise a globally optimal policy path, depending on the discount rate. Finally, we will trace actual climate change negotiations, evaluate climate change policy and examine why it is so difficult for countries to agree on greenhouse gas emission reductions.
The second part of the module will discuss empirical methods for policy analysis, with a strong focus on their application to policy evaluation. There is an increasing consensus as to the appropriate methods for policy evaluation, but the topic of policy prescription remains contentious. In this part of the course, students will learn how to apply the appropriate methods for economic policy evaluation to various cases. Examples will draw from seminal empirical papers, which will allow to appreciate the challenges as well as the potential of applied microeconomics for policy evaluation. Examples will be organized based on methodology and will touch on a number of examples of policy-relevant interventions. This approach will allow students to think about aggregate outcomes for policy prescription using evidence from microdata.
Target Students
Available for final year students on Economics degree programmes (including final year students on the BA Jt Hons Politics and Economics and BSc Jt Hons Maths and Economics degrees). Not available for Exchange students.
Classes
This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials.
Assessment
- 100% Exam (2-hour): Exam
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To introduce students to selected applied topics in environmental economics and policy analysis.To apply theoretical and empirical tools to policy analysis.Be able to use economic theory and data analysis to make policy recommendations.Learning Outcomes
On completing this module students should be able to:
A2 Apply core economic theory and economic reasoning to applied topics.
A6 Extensive knowledge and skills in specific specialisms in economics.
B1 Work with abstract concepts and in a context of generality.
C1 Discuss and analyse government policy.
C4 Understand the context in which a problem is to be addressed.
D2 Communicate effectively and clearly in written and oral formats.