Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - ECON 392 D100

Public Economics: Role of Government (3)

Class Number: 1781

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 16, 2025
    Sat, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 201 with a minimum grade of C-; 60 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The study of the normative rationale for government in a market economy through an analysis of distributional issues, public goods, externalities, non-competitive market structures, and asymmetric information. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Description:

 

The study of the normative rationale for government in a market economy through an analysis of distributional issues, public goods, externalities, non-competitive market structures, and asymmetric information. Quantitative.

 Details: 

ECON 392 focuses on the role of government, with an emphasis on the expenditure side of public economics (while ECON 393 addresses the taxation side). This course studies the economic role of government through an analysis of Pareto efficiency, welfare economics, public goods, externalities, redistribution, and social insurance; and if time permits, the course will also examine the main government expenditure programs in Canada, such as health care, employment insurance, public pensions, and public education.

Topics:

 

Unless specified otherwise, topics align with corresponding chapters in the textbook. Additional readings and slides may be provided throughout the course. Some chapters or sections may be skipped due to time constraints.

 

Planned Topics (time permitting):

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of Welfare Economics
  3. Program Evaluation
  4. Public Goods and the Privatization Debate
  5. Externalities
  6. Income Distribution
  7. Social Insurance and Health Care
  8. Employment Insurance and Automatic Stabilizers
  9. Public Pensions and Intergenerational Accounting
  10. Introduction to Public Choice Theory

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Educational Goal:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the institutional features of government systems.
  • Comprehend the rationale behind government interventions and public programs.
  • Identify and assess the welfare effects of government interventions and public programs.
  • Apply theoretical frameworks to critically analyze public policies.

Grading

  • Lecture Participation, Assignments, and/or Quizzes 25%
  • Midterm 25%
  • Final Exam 50%

NOTES:

Notes:

 

  1. Further details regarding readings, quizzes, and exams will be discussed in lectures.
  2. Assignments/exams will include significant writing components, which require clear and effective communication, and a considerable proportion of the score will reflect the quality of this communication. 
  3. The tentative date for the midterm exam is June 23rd, subject to change based on course progress or unforeseen scheduling interruptions. The final date will be confirmed at least one week in advance.
  4. No make-up exams will be offered for the midterm. Students who miss the midterm due to valid, documented reasons (e.g., illness or accidents) will have the weight of the midterm transferred to the final exam.
  5. If a student performs significantly better on the final exam than on the midterm, part of the midterm weight may be transferred to the final exam at the instructor’s discretion. This policy does not apply if the student does not attend the midterm.
  6. Students’ original exam grades may be curved/adjusted using a linear transformation.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Public Finance in Canada, 6th Edition. Harvey S. Rosen, Ted Gayer, Lindsay Tedds, Trevor Tombe. McGraw-Hill, 2023

RECOMMENDED READING:

Other readings and slides will be available on Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.