ECON 3500
Public Economics.
Lec 01 selected
Analyzes the role of government in problems of resource allocation due to market failure. Concentrates on theories of public goods, collective choice, potential of conflict and cooperation in individually-motivated actions, incentive structures capable of realizing rational, cooperative, group outcomes. Provides theoretical underpinnings of many applied fields. Involves mathematical methods.
Sections
Lecture
Lec 01
Mon, Wed 13:05-14:25
From the syllabus
From the Fall 2026 syllabus by Nicholas Lawson. Open the PDF
Grading
10%Assignment 1Due October 2
15%Midterm exam 1October 14
10%Assignment 2Due November 3
15%Midterm exam 2November 18
10%Assignment 3Due December 9
40%Final examCumulative; exam period December 11–20
Textbook
- Intermediate Public Economics, 2nd edition, Jean Hindriks and Gareth D. Myles
Course rules
- Late work
- Assignments lose 1% per hour late; contact the instructor before the deadline for exceptional circumstances.
- Missed exam
- Contact the instructor before the exam and email a completed Student Declaration of Absence; no medical note is required.
- Missed midterm
- The missed midterm’s weight is added to the final exam.
- Missed final
- Students who miss the final exam may write a make-up exam.
- Exam materials
- Exams are closed-book, in person, and do not allow generative AI or other resources.
- Assignments
- Assignments may be completed individually or in groups of two or three; submitted work must be your own.
- Generative AI
- Generative AI is allowed for assignments but not on exams.
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