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46933-01 - Lecture: Public Economics (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers |
Beat Hintermann (b.hintermann@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Jakob Roth (jakob.roth@unibas.ch) |
| Content | This course covers expenditure theory and the theory of taxation. It includes a range of applications, several of which are in the area of environmental economics. For more details, please consult the syllabus, which is available on ADAM and on Prof. Hintermann's website. This course is highly recommended as a preparation for the Master's Seminar Empirical Research in Public Economics, which will take place next fall semester (2025). |
| Learning objectives | The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the role of government policy in a market economy, and of the main challenges that arise in the context of the regulation of externalities and generating government revenue. Students become acquainted with a series of modeling approaches suited for different contexts, based on textbooks and selected papers published in the public economics literature. |
| Bibliography | Tresch, Richard: “Public Finance: A Normative theory”, 4th ed. London: Academic Press, 2023. Kaplow, Louis: "The theory of taxation and public economics". Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008. Plus selected papers published in the literature. |
| Weblink | Weblink |
| Admission requirements | Previous enrolment in 62652-01 - Economics of Public Policy or a BA-level course in public economics (either at the University of Basel or elsewhere) is recommended, but not required. |
| Course application | Registration: Please enroll in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch); Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week! Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html After successful registration you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Applies to everyone: Enrolment = Registration for the course and the exam! |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 14.15-16.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Seminarraum S14 HG.32 |
Dates
| Modules |
Modul: Politik (Master's Studies: Religion - Economics - Politics) Module: Core Courses in Public Policy (Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy) Module: Specific Electives in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Specific Electives in International Business, Trade and the Environment (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Specialization Module Global Europe: Statehood, Development and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | The grade will be based on a written midterm (30 %) and a final exam (70%). The midterm exam will take place on April 21, 2026, during the regular class time. Final exam: Regular exam period, TBD |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |