Course Code & Number
ECON 405
Course Title
Economic Policy Analysis
Credit Hours/ ECTS Credits
(3+0+0) 3 TEDU Credits, 6 ECTS Credits
Mode of Delivery:
Face-to-face
Language of Instruction:
English
Pre-requisite / Co-requisite:
Pre-requisites: ECON 212
Co-requisites: NONE
Catalog Description
The role of economic analysis in the design, evaluation, and implementation of economic policy. The principles, practices and applications of applied welfare analysis. The basic theory of benefit- cost analysis (BCA) and its implementation. A framework of social welfare analysis to a variety of public policy questions such as health policy, the design of unemployment insurance, and regulatory policies.
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to examine the role of economics in evaluating public policies, projects and regulations. This course is designed to equip the students with the skills needed to interpret and advise on basic cost-benefit analysis and to enhance their ability to analyze policy problems, find creative solutions, and implement policies and programs effectively. This course aims to improve students’ analytical and intellectual skills through the study of Cost Benefit Analysis; presents approaches to deal with time, uncertainty, intangibles, and issues of equity.
Software Usage
Students will use Stata 12, MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint) to work on their weekly assignments about 2 hours a week.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon succesful completion of this course, a student will be able to
1. Explain the principles that inspire Welfare Economics, in particular the normative roots of the notion of economic efficiency.
2. Explain the principles behind the theory of market failure.
3. Interpret basic empirical examples of cost-benefit analysis and communicate the results of the to stakeholders.
4. Critically assess the advantages and limitations of using cost-benefit analysis to inform public policy.
5. Determine when a cost benefit analysis may be performed in a meaningful way and to perform basic project analyses.
6. Identify limitations in modeling assumptions, data, or political concerns that may compromise the validity of a cost-benefit analysis study.
7. Communicate effectively and clearly in written and oral formats.
Learning Activities and Teaching Methods:
Telling/Explaining
Discussion/Debate
Questioning
Reading
Collaborating
Case Study/Scenarion Analysis
Video Presentations
Oral Presentations/Reports
Guest Speakers
Web Searching
Assessment Methods and Criteria:
Test / Exam
Quiz
Presentation (Oral/Poster)
Assessment Methods and Criteria Others:
Recommended Reading
1. Patton. C. and D. Sawicki, Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. 2nd Edition, Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1993.
2. Bardach. E., A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. 3rd Edition, Chatham House Publishers, New York, 2009.
Required Reading
1. Boardman. A. E., D. H. Greenberg, A. R. Vining and D. L. Weimer, Cost-Benefit Analysis: Concepts and Practice. 4th Edition, Upper Saddle River, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2011.
Learning Activities and Teaching Methods Others:
Course & Program Learning Outcome Matching:
