Public Policy 184 the ECONOMICS of PUBLIC PROBLEM-SOLVING Fall 2003

Public Policy 184 THE ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC PROBLEM-SOLVING Fall 2006

Instructor: Prof. Lee S. Friedman

Office: Rm 211, Goldman School of Public Policy, 2607 Hearst Ave. (old building)

Email:

Course Meetings:

Lecture: Tuesday & Thursday 2:00-3:30PM, 285 Cory

Discussion: Friday 2:00 - 3:00 PM, 116 Haviland

Graduate Student Instructor: Melissa Vanlandingham

Email:

I.OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the ways in which microeconomic analysis can be brought to bear on public policy issues. You will learn (1) to identify the relevant economic questions concerning policy issues of interest to you, (2) to comprehend the economic arguments that bear on these issues, and (3) to evaluate these arguments in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. These objectives are achieved by developing microeconomic modeling skills in the context of a wide variety of public policy issues. Problem sets will be assigned and discussed to help develop these skills.

II BACKGROUND

A prior course in intermediate microeconomic theory is a prerequisite for enrollment in this class.

III.CLASS MEETINGS

Classes meet three times per week: twice for one and one-half hour lectures, and once for a one-hour review and discussion section. Please read the assigned material before coming to lectures, and complete assigned problems before attending discussion section.

IV.READING ASSIGNMENTS

The basic text for this course is L. Friedman, The Microeconomics of Public Policy Analysis (Princeton University Press, 2002), denoted MPPA and available at the ASUC bookstore, other local bookstores and major online book retailers. Some chaptershave appendices and sections headings in them that have a notational superscript like thisS (for supplementary) or thisO (uses calculus). All of these are optional rather than required, unless specifically assigned. No calculus is required for this course, although those of you who have studied calculus are encouraged to read the optional material.

V.GRADING

Grades for the class will be based upon three examinations and the completion of some assigned problem sets. The examinations take place as follows: a quiz on September 28, a midterm examination on November 2, and a final examination. The quiz will count for 20 percent of your course grade, the midterm for 30 percent, and the final for 50 percent. In addition, your exam average may be adjusted upward or downward by one grade (e.g. B+ to A-, or B+ to B) depending upon your work on the assigned problem sets as explained below.

The examinations will be based upon the readings, lectures, and discussions of problem assignments.

VI.SCHEDULE OF PROBLEM REVIEWS

Some time in the discussion and review section will be used to go over 7 assigned problem sets from MPPA. You should limit your working time on each problem set to no more than three hours. These will be corrected and graded as "excellent", "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory". "Unsatisfactory" will only be assigned due to lack of effort. Working on the problems and getting feedback on your work helps you develop the skill of applying microeconomic theory (and it is also good preparation for the examinations). They will affect your course grade as follows:

6 reviews either "excellent" or "satisfactory"+ one grade (e.g. B+ to A-)

4-5 reviews either "excellent" or "satisfactory"neutral

< 4 reviews either "excellent" or "satisfactory"- one grade (e.g. B+ to B)

Most exercises are in the text. If not there, they will be handed out at least one week before they are due.

September 8Exercise 3-2 a-d;

September 22Exercise 4-2 a-e; 5-1

October 13Exercise 6-3 a-d; 7-1 a-b

October 27Exercise 9-3; 11-1 a-c

November 10Exercise 12-1a-c; 13-1 a-b

November 17Exercise 14-2 a-b

December 1Exercise 16-2; 17-1; 19-1 a-b

October 5

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